David Byrne doesn’t stop making sense
If the live concert experience has to be reinvented, and maybe it does, David Byrne is just the guy to pull it off. He’s got the credentials – a weird New York art-rock cat who became the intelligent face of the new wave movement with the Talking Heads. Ever since, he tries to do something […]
TV: Raise a little Hellfire Heroes
It makes sense that what may be Canada’s first firefighter reality show is set in Alberta. Lord knows the province has suffered trials by fire. Hellfire Heroes, an eight-show documentary series (don’t call it a reality show) premiering May 22 on Discovery Canada, follows teams of firefighters working in two rural Alberta communities. With more […]
Absurdist ‘anti-play’ explores meaninglessness of life
Eugene Ionesco is a polarizing playwright. Along with Samuel Beckett (Waiting For Godot), he is the prime exponent of Theatre of the Absurd – an existential form of theatre that tells us that your life has no inherent value, other than what you impose on it. You’re on your own – and besides, we’re all […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Which side are you on?
We can’t ignore the connection – and friendship – between Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal. Hughes got into hot water recently because of some things that he said. Homme and Hughes co-founded Eagles of Death Metal in 1998. After QOTSA got big, Homme played […]
Eagles put a spell on Edmonton
What a minute! How did Vince Gill wind up doing so much heavy lifting as the newest member of the Eagles in Edmonton on Tuesday night? No offense to Vince Gill. He’s a great guitarist and songwriter. One of country music’s finest. Helluva singer, too. Got that high, lonesome voice. But is he worthy to […]
REVIEW: Tragically Hip ballet an elemental triumph
Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître has made a reputation for himself with his signature portrait ballets. In 2017, they did Gordon Lightfoot’s Our Canada. Prior to that: k.d. lang, Elton John and Sarah McLachlan. And now, it’s a wrap for a triumphant sold-out run of No Dress Rehearsal, This Was My Life – the […]
Terry and the Dog intense, disquieting, touching
A man sits on his porch and waits for his dog to come back to life. “Buddy” is dead – and not for the first time. His master Terry is pushing at the outer edges of middle age, and is a recovering alcoholic. Twice before in a drunken stupor he has accidentally killed Buddy – […]
Shania Twain still the one in Edmonton
It’s always a double bill of sorts whenever a Shania Twain show rolls into town – usually a toss-up between her lengthy tresses and telltale leopardskin wardrobe. This time, it wasn’t just the eyes focusing on the still-svelte 52-year-old songstress. Ears were perked up to see how her reconstructed larynx could withstand the punishment of […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Morris before us
The city was all abuzz back in 2010-11 when local Jeff Morris released his debut album, Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar. He got mentions in press both near and far, and was nominated for an astounding six Edmonton Music Awards in 2011, including Best Live Performance, People’s Choice, Best Album and Best Single. Fast […]
PLAYBOT: Refugees find love in Canada
Canada has always welcomed refugees – and the nation is better for it. The new people just have to get used to the frightful weather. Before the poor Syrians, there were Jews fleeing persecution in Romania 100 years ago. Some of them settled in Canada – and so here is the tale in a concert-theatre […]
