MUSIC PREVIEW: Rural Alberta Advantage shows deep roots
The Rural Alberta Advantage is in town for a couple of sold out shows at Union Hall, including tonight. The band name was coined by frontman Nils Edenloff’s brother discussing heading back to the family farm in Donalda, where Nils also spent part of his childhood. A number of the band’s songs relate to Alberta […]
PLAYBILL: In with Gretzky, out with DISNEY!
Northlands Coliseum will be hosting its last show ever this weekend. After that, what? They’re tearing it down to build a domed waterpark? Not super clear on that. Anyway, capping 43 years of memories, where once Gretzky skated will now be the icy stage for Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all their friends – stars […]
Sister Act christens new theatre with joyful nun-sense
The MacEwan University Theatre Arts Program has opened its striking new Triffo Theatre in Allard Hall in their new downtown building. The preview was delayed a day due to “equipment problems.” The wait was worth it. The new theatre is outstanding. The colours are subdued with hues of purple in the seats and curtain. The […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Needle orphans find new gigs
Local music people are scrambling to reschedule shows cancelled after the recent indefinite closure of the Needle Vinyl Tavern, in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment against one of the club’s owners. This place ran live music seven nights a week, sometimes two shows a day – so there are a lot of orphans. […]
REVIEW: Spotty sprawling spy spoof sparkles
Our Man in Havana announces the creation of a new Edmonton theatre company, The Varscona Theatre Ensemble. It’s actually an umbrella organization under which a number of Edmonton troupes will operate. Running through Dec. 2, this show is produced by Bright Young Things – a company known for its brilliant succession of Fringe shows. The […]
REVIEW: Barenaked Ladies have lost their direction
A band could never get away with calling itself Barenaked Ladies today. There can be only one! Even as the original’s former magic was sadly lacking during a maddening show at the Jubilee Auditorium Thursday night. It was maddening because the four remaining members – singer-guitarist Ed Robertson, keyboardist-guitarist Kevin Hearn, bassist Jim Creeggan, and […]
Soft March celebrates Farewell Party
It’s terribly ironic that a band would name its debut album Farewell Party – but the title of Soft March’s new record has special meaning for its chief songwriter Joel Kleine. He suffers from a progressive and incurable neuro-muscular disorder called Friedreich’s Ataxia, and is confined to a wheelchair. “A farewell party is a happy […]
The Needle and the Damage Done
“I want them to fail.” These were the bold words from Brittany Lyne Rudyck, who made a huge impact when she recently came forward with accusations of sexual harassment against one of her employers at the Needle Vinyl Tavern. She got her wish. The club is shut down as of Tuesday afternoon. There’s a sign […]
Hadestown one HELL of a musical
The first thing you see when you enter the theatre is a vast empty space with a huge bleached tree reaching out with leafless arms. Winter’s coming. It’s a powerful invitation and a warning of the wonders and dangers that are to come in the new musical Hadestown. It’s a simple enough start to a […]
Mayfield’s ‘80s sequel a riot of gnarly fun
The 1980s decade was not the best of times. Following just after the cultural explosion of the ‘60s, it brought us bad hair, gay bashing, Margaret Thatcher and AIDS. But after the astonishing success of the musical revue Back to the ’80s in 2015, the Mayfield Dinner Theatre has deemed to go back to the […]
