REVIEW: A spoonful too much sugar from Mary Poppins
Would it be unbearably clichéd to say that Mary Poppins just wasn’t my cup of tea? Yeah, it probably would. But I’m going to use it anyway, because that’s the best way I can describe the Broadway Across Canada production of the hit musical playing at the Jubilee until July 29th. There’s nothing actually wrong […]
REVIEW: Steve Martin bluegrass hits the right tone
Too much stage banter can ruin a perfectly good concert. That is, of course, unless it’s Steve Martin doing the bantering: then, corny jokes become the star attraction, and Martin doled out plenty at the Jubilee Auditorium Sunday night. For example, “I’m the one in the white pants, and I will be all night – […]
PREVIEW: Just don’t expect an abominable show, man
In a city that is positively overrun with festivals and things that call themselves festivals, the Sasquatch Gathering probably leaves, ironically, the smallest footprint. That’s OK with festival organizer John Armstrong. It is now the 17th year of the music festival you’ve never heard of — an event that is, pardon the cliché, a labour […]
Steve Martin’s second love didn’t put him on stage
There’s something disturbing about Steve Martin coming to Edmonton – because he’s not here to do comedy. He’s going to play bluegrass. Oh, joy. Sure, you can expect humour when Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers perform Sunday at the Jubilee Auditorium. They’ll probably do an a cappella number called Atheists Don’t Have No […]
PREVIEW: Hot Panda bamboozled by wonky wheels
If you’re a band from Vancouver, but spent considerable time plying your trade in Edmonton as well, the question beckons: who gets the release party? Well…. why can’t you have a release party in both? A shaker on the west coast and another in the festival city as well? So says Hot Panda, performing Friday […]
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings book Winspear date
Blackie And the Rodeo Kings, a venerable alt-country-folk trio of three storied musicians, are on their way to Edmonton later this fall, playing Winspear Centre on Nov.21. Founded in 1996, the band is comprised of Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing, and Colin Linden. The three originally got together to record a one-off tribute album to Willie […]
Art Walk to teach artists what they don’t learn in art school
Whether you’re a full-blown art-o-holic nurturing an art habit, or a raw newbie with four bare walls, the annual Art Walk will have something for you when the streets of Old Strathcona turn into a mammoth studio visit this weekend. Friday through Sunday, art-o-holics will revel in the opportunity to not only view acres of […]
WEEKEND MUSIC PREVIEW: Sizzle your nizzle, f’shizzle
You might be tempted to think that the best music in town this weekend will be taking place in the venue with the best air conditioning, but sadly, there’s no real evidence to back that up. It’s fair to say, though, that any of these indoor venues are likely a better bet than the outdoors. […]
