Mumford sells out, KISS does not, bots win again
Posted on April 5, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
It was a busy day at Ticketmaster in Edmonton on Friday morning as Mumford and Sons went on sale, promptly selling out, at the same time as Kiss, which did not. Shout it out loud: Modern rock 1, classic rock 0. In the case of Mumford, at Rexall Place May 22, it’s a lot of […]
April Fool’s prank goes awry! Dozens outraged!
Posted on March 31, 2013 By Mike Ross Comedy, Culture, Entertainment, Front Slider, News, TV and Radio, tv and radio
Baby boomers born and raised in Edmonton still talk about an epic April Fool’s joke played by 630 CHED, which in the early ‘70s was the only station everyone listened to: Ed-Tel will blow all the dust out of the phone lines at precisely 7:30 am on April 1, so the public is warned to […]
INTERVIEW: All but Bon Jovi, because they can
Posted on March 31, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music, tv and radio
In the important work of journalism as the unofficial PR wing of the entertainment business, there is the dreaded “teleconference” – a great way for busy rock stars to polish off a big wad of interviews in one sitting. But do you get a good story? Hard to tell. So it was with Bon Jovi […]
REVIEW: Rihanna a rock star at Rexall Place
Posted on March 28, 2013 By Derek Owen Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
Rihanna would need the assistance of Iron Maiden to rock her way out of a wet paper bag – but she sure carried the attitude of a swaggering lifer to the hedonic world of rock ‘n’ roll excess at Rexall Place on Wednesday night. Led Zeppelin, Queen, Maiden, and yes, even you guys in Spinal […]
Air quotes optional at ‘live’ dance festival
Posted on March 27, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
How to be a “live” DJ: Step 1: Show up Step 2: Push play Step 3: Collect $50,000 Just kidding. Fifty grand might be a little low for Calvin Harris’s guarantee. But how diabolically clever. DJs are among the few recording artists who can still make a living by making records – i.e., making them […]
Marvelous Mumford in the merry month of May!
Posted on March 25, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
Ask and ye shall receive: Mumford and Sons are coming to Edmonton – and if you still think they’re still just a bunch of Muppets, you haven’t been paying attention. One of the buzziest buzz bands in the world plays its first Edmonton show Wednesday, May 22 at Rexall Place, part of some fresh dates […]
Where will Rihanna get her Canadian weed?
Posted on March 23, 2013 By Mike Ross Crime, Culture, Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Music
When Rihanna came to Edmonton in 2011, there was said to be distinct reek of pot backstage at Rexall Place. One Edmonton police officer on duty that night described a “fog” in the hallway outside the dressing rooms. The cops held their noses and looked the other way. Busting a headliner for weed 30 minutes […]
Raffi fights for the rights of the very young
Posted on March 22, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Family, Front Slider, Life, Music
For someone who “accidentally” became a children’s entertainer, Raffi sure has thrown himself into it with a passion. Playing at the Winspear Centre on Sunday, his work has ranged far beyond merely singing singable songs for the very young. Never mind Bananaphone. Raffi has become a global crusader for child welfare. A number of points […]
Bob Seger returns in May, marks spring in Edmonton
Posted on March 22, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
That was fast. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band have determined that it should be spring in Edmonton by Saturday, May 11, when they have rebooked Rexall Place after cancelling Thursday’s concert due to extremely crappy weather. The 67-year-old rock legend was concerned “about the safety and well-being of his fans.” Fans may even […]
THEATRE: Kenneth Brown and Tim Hortons a marriage made in heaven
Posted on March 20, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Theatre
“We didn’t know if Tim Hortons was going to sue us or adopt us,” says Kenneth Brown on his new play set in Canada’s favourite coffee shop. It’s called – you had to see this coming – Double Double. Timmy’s people did ask to look at the script: a romantic comedy between two 40-something divorced […]
Make Something Edmonton made in Edmonton – so far, so good
Posted on March 18, 2013 By Mike Ross Culture, Front Slider, Life, News, news
Here’s a small sign you might doing something right in your town: When the Mayor forms a task force based on your idea. So it is with local writer and neo-marketing guru Todd Babiak, whose “Make Something Edmonton” project will turn into an $800,000 campaign to help Edmontonians develop a better attitude towards Edmonton. The […]
WHO NAMED THE BAND: Captain Tractor sails 20 years
Posted on March 13, 2013 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
It’s hard to be taken seriously when your band name is a joke. “Captain Tractor” was coined 20 years ago by an actual comedian, one Neil Grahn, current TV guy and former member of Edmonton’s legendary comedy troupe Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. He was playing on the “superhero” idea for his friends, a […]