Ronnie Dunn brings new solo music to Jubilee Auditorium June 25
Those who like their country music without too many revving Ford trucks or wild honky tonkin’ good ol’ boys, their yee without too much haw, should be delighted that Ronnie Dunn is coming to town this summer – minus his partner Kix Brooks. The half of the superstar country duo that can really sing, Dunn […]
REVIEW: David Mamet lays waste to liberal white guilt in Race
Race does matter – and it always will. Hence the title of David Mamet’s controversial legal drama, which makes its Canadian premiere in a Theatre Yes production at the Catalyst Theatre through March 11. Right off the top of “Race,” black lawyer Henry Brown asks and answers the question, “Does the black man hate white […]
TRUE TALES OF THE ROAD: Peter Case escapes house of pigs
When you’ve been on the road more or less continuously since 1973, as Peter Case has, you meet a lot of people – a lot of famous people, in this case, so to speak, and he doesn’t want to be a name-dropper. Case is one of these unusual figures in the music world who are […]
CONCERT REVIEW: Deep Purple thrills 3,500 intimate stangers at Rexall
Forty summers ago they ruled the planet with Machine Head and Smoke On the Water – a song about a Swiss gig gone horribly wrong – and they became some of Headbangerdom’s first anthems, long before we had a name for the throngs of long haired, bobble-headed moppets. They have their place in The Guinness […]
BOOKS: All the Dirt on organic farming: not for everyone, says Heather Stretch
When Edmonton expat Heather Stretch comes to town this week to promote All the Dirt, the book she co-wrote about organic farming, she’ll obviously be keen to share her knowledge with folks passionate about sustainable local agriculture who might want to follow in her muddy footsteps. But she has another audience in mind as well […]
Iron Maiden returns to Rexall Place July 27
Gird your loins, good sirs, and stow thy dragon dice, for thy liege shall return, and when Iron Maiden declares “thou shalt rock,” it behoves thou to harken, varlets … Or some sort of fancy faux-fangorian hooey, the only sort of language suitable to describe one of the greatest fantasy metal bands of all time. […]
EDMONTON RADIO: Hot 107’s Russell James bounces back to the Bounce
The Bounce 91.7 has scored a broadside hit on archrival Hot 107 in what has come to be known as the Great Edmonton Top 40 Radio Wars – they have stolen back program director Russell James. “I don’t think steal is the right word,” says Bounce operations manager Al Ford. “Hired is a better word.” […]
Silver Skate Festival wins winter festival derby in a walk
There is one major winter festival left in the winter festival season to ease us into springtime (now that wasn’t so bad, was it?) – and many hardcore hibernal celebrants agree that the Silver Skate Festival is the best. The 22nd annual event happens Friday through holiday Monday at Hawrelak Park. This is no frivolous […]
JEFF ROSS: Who will roast the Roastmaster?
“Insult” comedy is nothing new. What’s new is the trend of celebrity roasting where big and not-so-big stars alike fall all over themselves for the privilege of being the victim of one hilarious insult after another at the hands of people like Jeff Ross – the “Roastmaster General of the United States.” Well, of the […]
TALES FROM THE HEART: Simple Plan pleases girls completely
It’s just a coincidence that Simple Plan – the most romantic pop punk band on the planet – is playing the most romantic city in the world, Edmonton, on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. Every day is Valentine’s Day for these guys. Of the thousands of fans expected to turn up […]
John Prine coming to Winspear Centre May 7
Now this guy has a way with words: Mr. John Prine, ladies and gentlemen – king of the folk fest, commander of the singer–songwriters, more country in his pinkie finger than the entirety of Toby Keith – is coming to the Winspear Centre on Monday, May 7. It’s hardly necessary to bill this as an […]
Edmonton Public Library book sale the most coveted volunteer gig in town
Volunteering to work the tables at the Edmonton Public Library’s book sale is a pretty sweet gig – you get the first crack at the best books, and every hour of volunteering earns you $2 worth of “book bucks” which you can put towards purchases during the sale. But it’s not that easy. There’s a […]
