Seeking Talented and Enthusiastic Young Actors for Jack and the Beanstalk

Audition Notice                                                
Date: Monday, January 14, 2013
Ages:  Kindergarten to Grade 12
Location: Horizon Stage (1001 Calahoo Road)
Time: 4 – 6 p.m., followed by the first rehearsal block 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

All MissoulaChildren’s Theatre (MCT) tour shows are designed for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. There are roles suited for all ages and experience levels. No advance preparation or appointment is necessary, but a smile never hurts at an audition! Students should wear clothing that is easy to move in. Please remember that everyone must stay the entire two hours of the audition. (Parents may stay and watch.) Approximately 50-60 students will be cast in the show, but sadly, there is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast. Due to time constraints, anyone missing the initial audition will not be considered in the casting of the show.

During the audition, two to four Assistant Directors (ADs), ages ten and older, will be selected to help teach and direct the show as well as take on technical responsibilities at performance time. Their logistical help and creative ideas are a vital part of the process, and the experience of the ADs can be just as valuable as that of any cast member.

Please note: Rehearsals for those cast will begin immediately after the auditions on Monday, January 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., so bringing a bag lunch for those chosen would be a great idea. Rehearsals will then run Tuesday, January 15 to Friday, January 18 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 19 from 10 a.m. – noon. Not all children in the cast will be called for all rehearsals. The rehearsal schedule will be announced after the show is cast on Monday.

Jack and the Beanstalk is the first performance in Horizon Stage’s 2012/2013 Family Matinee Series.

Public Performances will be held on Saturday, January 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $18 Adults & $15 Children & Seniors

Tickets for the entire Family Matinee Series (3 shows) are $40 per person regardless of age.

Visit Horizon Stage's website for more information or call the City Hall Ticket Centre at 780-962-8995.

This Holiday Season - Give the Gift of Entertainment!

Legendary Hearts Front Man Locally Launches New Solo CD at Horizon Stage

Barney Bentall tours to Spruce Grove on Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m.

 

Barney Bentall was born in Toronto, grew up in Calgary, and moved to Vancouver in 1978 to follow his musical dream. In 1988 he formed the rock/pop band Barney Bentall and The Legendary Hearts, whose self-titled debut album won a Juno, sold over 100,000 copies, and spawned three hit singles. Subsequent albums by the band also reached gold or platinum status. Barney released his first solo album in 2007 and, during the past decade, he has transformed both personally and musically to emerge as one of Canada’s most prolific country/folk/roots singer-songwriters. Now, local audiences have the opportunity to enjoy both classic and brand-new Barney Bentall compositions at the intimate 318-seat Horizon Stage on Friday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Bentall doesn't tour as extensively as he once did but he keeps fans happy with select engagements. His last concert at Horizon Stage was almost exactly ten years ago (October 2002) but he was in Edmonton this past summer at the Rock Music Festival.  In concert Barney performs both his solo material and the Legendary Hearts hits. Fans will enjoy humming along to old favourites like “Something to Live For”, “Do Ya” and “Crime Against Love”. Music from his first solo album, Gift Horse, has been described as “reflective and pensive soft rock influenced by western and mountain folk traditions and covert country flavours”. Songs from his 2009 release, Inside Passage, are a combination of roots, country, rock, and folk with a ballad thrown in for good-measure. No matter what musical source he is tapping, Barney Bentall is a charming performer whose catchy lyrics resonate with audiences.

Barney will be introducing his audience on November 16 to music from his latest CD, Flesh & Bone, which is being released on November 13, just 3 days before his Spruce Grove concert.  Recorded at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Flesh & Bone is a collection of eleven songs produced by Bentall himself. Influenced by an array of genres from folk to roots, blues-­rock to pop, and even a hint of Celtic, the album reflects Canada from coast to coast. Flesh & Bone is haunting yet beautiful with pure, truthful and emotional vocals, lyrics, and melodies that marry well together and are woven with a storytelling quality that transcends generations. Fans will be able to pick up their own copy of Flesh & Bone, hot off the presses, at the Horizon Stage product sales table!  

Tickets to see the legendary Barney Bentall, Up Close & Personal at Horizon Stage on Friday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, and $5 for high school students through the eyeGO program. Tickets can be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

“Legendary Canadian singer songwriter Barney Bentall’s passion and unmatched talent really shine on The Inside Passage… If you're a fan of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Fred Eaglesmith, Bruce Cockburn and Steve Dawson this is a must have in your collection.”

Andre Skinner – IndieCan

Vance Gilbert & Barney Bentall Flyer

Vance Gilbert’s Masterful Guitar Work, Rich Vocals, and Sharp Wit Create an Unforgettable Concert Experience

Talented American Singer/Songwriter returns to Horizon Stage November 9, at 7:30 p.m.

 
Vance Gilbert burst onto Boston’s singer/songwriter scene in the early 90s. Buzz spread quickly through folk clubs about this “ex-multicultural arts teacher who was knocking them dead at open mics”. The Philadelphia-area born and raised performer caught the attention of Shawn Colvin who invited him to be a special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour. Gilbert took audiences across North America by storm. "With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god, it was enough to earn him that rarity: an encore for an opener" wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Ten successful albums later, Vance still gets standing ovations wherever he performs. He is looking forward to stopping at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Friday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Whether performing classic, original songs or ageless interpretations of covers, Vance Gilbert’s music is steeped in humanism and bravery, stunning artistry and soul, and contagious, unbridled joy. Called a musical poet, his catchy, pop friendly melodies support keenly crafted, hard-hitting lyrics. His guitar work is supple and his tenor voice is smooth, warm, and gentle. Vance’s subject matter ranges from the wrenching separation suffered by single parents, to the tug of love’s desire, to the bitterness of being non-white in a Eurocentric culture. His albums are all considered essential additions to any American singer-songwriter collection.
Since working with Shawn Colvin, Vance has toured both on his own and with Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, and the late George Carlin. He last performed at Horizon Stage in 2004, where he received enthusiastic reviews.  A brilliant musician, Vance is also a personable performer, a gifted storyteller, and a witty comedian who enjoys tossing unexpected elements into his performances. His November 9 concert is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Opening for Vance Gilbert will be Edmonton singer-songwriter and step-dancer, Lizzy Hoyt. Lizzy combines energetic and rhythmic fiddling from the Atlantic provinces with country-folk songs from the west. She is a gifted vocalist and musician who has been recognized both nationally and internationally. A 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee for Traditional Singer of the Year, Lizzy was a finalist in both the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the USA Songwriting Competition. A multi-instrumentalist with a pure, clear voice and an aptitude for audience interaction, she is truly one of Canada’s foremost up and coming artists.
Tickets to see Vance Gilbert, with opening act Lizzy Hoyt, Up Close & Personal at Horizon Stage on Friday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors, and $5 for high school students through the eyeGO program. Tickets can be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.  

“He is that rare performer for whom people lean forward in their seats

as eagerly between songs and they do during them.”

The Boston Globe

Powerful Singer-Songwriter and Storyteller to Grace Horizon Stage

James Keelaghan scheduled to perform in Spruce Grove on Sunday, November 4, at 7:30 p.m.

James Keelaghan is one of our nation’s finest singer-songwriters. For almost a quarter of a century, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with passion, curiosity, and intensity. Possessed of an insatiable appetite for finding the next unique story-line, along with a beautiful and expressive tenor voice, James forges his lyrics with brilliant craftsmanship and artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily-identifiable voices on the Canadian singer-songwriter scene. Now, Edmonton and area music lovers can enjoy the James Keelaghan experience at Horizon Stage on Sunday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m.

 Alberta-born Keelaghan’s masterful storytelling has, over the course of eleven CDs, been the bedrock of his success. It has earned him multiple nominations and awards - including a Juno - and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia. His musical  journey has attracted fans of literate and layered songwriting to join him on his artistic expeditions, some of which weave their way through marvelously etched historical stories with underlying universal themes, others of which mine the depths of the soul and the emotional trials of human relations.

A disciplined visionary, Keelaghan loves language and history, a subject in which he earned a degree.  He is a skilled thespian, which explains his ability to make an immediate connection with a live audience; and he has an ear for memorable melodies and harmonies that make those melodies glisten. "I’ve always had the urge to write," says the Calgary native who has been calling Winnipeg home for the past few years. "Some things weren’t being said in the way I wanted to say them, some things were not being written about at all. That's why I started to write the historical material. That led me to writing my own personal narratives as well.” His catalogue of timeless originals includes the haunting pieces “Kiri's Piano”, “Cold Missouri Waters” and “Hillcrest Mine”.

Never shying away from collaboration in his live and recorded performances, James has toured or laid tracks with Steven Fearing, Oliver Schroer, Oscar Lopez, David Francey, and Hugh McMillan (Spirit of the West). "If you work with people who are better than you, you become better," he observes. “The sparks of collaboration and the batting of melodies back and forth have produced some wonderful results”. Other artists, including Garnet Rogers, have lovingly covered James’ material and he, on occasion, has interpreted his fellow musicians’ work including a gripping take on the epic “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” on the Gordon Lightfoot tribute disc, Beautiful.

James Keelaghan finds a balance between examining the lighter and heavier sides of life and ties everything together with his powerful vocal delivery and a commanding stage presence. He has performed everywhere from large festivals and concert halls to intimate folk club venues and sometimes invites the audience for a beer after the show. Tickets to see him Up Close & Personal at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and, $5 for high school students through the eyeGO program. Tickets can be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. To learn more about James Keelaghan visit www.keelaghan.com.

“James Keelaghan is a voice in contemporary Canadian songwriting that has helped us define who we are as a people. He writes with great humanity and honesty, with an eye to the past and a vision of the future. He has chronicled his times with powerful and abiding songs, with heart and eyes wide open.”

David Francey, Juno Award-Winning Musician

 “A brilliant tunesmith who has become one of the most engaging performers of our time. You always know the journey with James is going to be great, you just never know what all the destinations are.”

Terry Wickham, Producer of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival

“Canada’s finest songwriter.”

Dave Marsh, award-winning American music critic and historian

Back By Popular Demand - Live the Laughter in Spruce Grove

Horizon Stage presents Hypnotist Wayne Lee on Saturday, November 3, at 8 p.m.

After selling out in January, Horizon Stage is pleased to be presenting an encore performance by powerful and engaging hypnotist Wayne Lee on Saturday, November 3^rd at 8 p.m. (Special Time!). Named ‘Entertainer of the Year’ by the Canadian Events Industry, Lee’s Live the Laughter stage show is never the same twice. Audience members can either sit back and enjoy themselves or play a pivotal role onstage as they leave their fears and inhibitions behind, access their subconscious, and act out improbable and side-splittingly hilarious scenes.

More than just a hypnotist, Wayne Lee is a potent and charming performer and motivational speaker. The messages of empowerment that he shares linger long after the laughter fades way.  Members of his audience will be invited to explore their creativity by dancing outrageously, acting out their dreams, or impersonating celebrities! They will also re-discover their deepest passions, experience new-found confidence, learn visualization techniques to reduce stress, and leave feeling energized, inspired, and empowered.

 If there’s one thing peak performance experts like Wayne Lee agree on, it’s that the mind is capable of leading us anywhere.  Wayne’s own journey to excellence was fueled by an unrelenting passion for entertaining and empowering people. From a childhood fascination with magic and visualization, his gift for seeing and acting on what’s possible has grown to international proportions. As one of Canada’s premier corporate presenters, a veteran of thousands of successful shows, a published author, and a peak performance coach to professionals in all walks of life, he is constantly in demand both in the Edmonton area (his home town) and across North America.

So if you would like to be hypnotized, or if you would rather watch and have fun, plan to attend Wayne Lee: Live the Laughter at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 3^rd, at 8 p.m. (Special Time!). Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and, $5 for high school students through the eyeGO program. Horizon Stage tickets can be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. To learn more about Wayne Lee visit www.waynelee.com.

 

Spruce Grove Director of Cultural Services Wins Prestigious Provincial Award

Lawrie Seligman presented with the Arts Touring Alliance’s Rhoda Taylor Award

 
Rhoda Taylor was a founding member of the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta (ATAA), an organization that offers programs and services that promote arts touring, and provides networking opportunities and professional development for artists and arts presenters. Ms. Taylor passed away in 1997 and since 1999 the ATTA has presented an annual award, in her name, to an individual who has made a significant contribution to arts touring in our province. The 2012 Rhoda Taylor Award was presented to Spruce Grove’s own Director of Cultural Services, Lawrie Seligman, on Friday, October 12.

 Lawrie has had an active and varied career in the field of the performing arts. As a stage director, he has worked at theatres in Edmonton and across Canada including the Citadel, the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Stratford Festival and the Banff Centre for the Arts. He has produced radio arts at CBC Edmonton and television arts and drama at CBC Calgary. After graduating from the Arts Administration course at Grant MacEwan, Lawrie worked for three years as Artistic Director of Sunshine Theatre in Kelowna, before coming to Spruce Grove in 2000.

 Under Lawrie’s capable guidance and leadership the City of Spruce Grove has built a solid cultural foundation both within its boundaries and the surrounding areas.  A man with vision, Lawrie spearheaded the journey that took Horizon Stage from being a small, isolated theatre to a significant regional presenter in the Edmonton-area performing arts scene.

 The quality of entertainers that pass through the doors of Horizon Stage is second to none, and artists and audiences truly appreciate the “Up Close and Personal” experience. Lawrie’s commitment to presenting a variety of genres to promote cultural diversity at Horizon Stage is a part of why he is so highly regarded and respected.  His vast knowledge of the arts, and his willingness to share and mentor, has fellow presenters from Morinville to Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan singing his praises. To say that he is loved, respected, and greatly appreciated by all those who work with him is an understatement.  Many members of the City’s Cultural Services team and Horizon Stage volunteers were thrilled to be on hand to see him receive this award.
 

“Lawrie’s depth of commitment to his community, the arts, and all that it encompasses,

is an example to us all.”

Lynne Bailey, Executive Director of Prairie Debut

 

“This is truly a great achievement from one who has done so much to advance the arts in our great city. 

He is a leader and a pioneer in his field, and his achievements are appreciated.  Lawrie has truly added to the quality of life of our residents and should be applauded.”   

Tim Duhamel, Community & Protective Services General Manager

Blues/Roots Duo Peter Karp & Sue Foley are Going to Heat up Horizon Stage

Join them for a night of high-voltage, plank-spankin’, blues-rockin’ fun on Friday, October 19^th

Spruce Grove, AB—Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In the case of blues/roots duo Peter Karp & Sue Foley, two great solo artists have come together to create something incredible. Working together since 2009, Peter and Sue have released two critically-acclaimed, and artistically-daring, CDs, He Said - She Said and Beyond the Crossroads. Now touring Canada and the United States, they will bring their “high voltage, plank spankin’, piano boogyin’, slide guitar stompin’, blues-rockin’” show to Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Friday, October 19^th at 7:30 p.m.

Peter Karp is a gifted singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and American troubadour with a knack for spinning true-to-life emotions, humor, and candor into his music. Critics compare his songwriting to John Hiatt and John Prine, with impressive guitar and slide licks infused by his love of Freddie King and Elmore James. With an upbringing that was equal parts southern Alabama and the swamps of New Jersey, Peter’s music is fueled by the Yankee-Rebel juxtaposition. He first caught national attention as a solo artist with help from former Rolling Stone guitarist, Mick Taylor, who recorded and toured with him on his first label-release, The Turning Point, in 2004. He then further established himself with the release of Shadows and Cracks in 2006. Peter Karp personifies the Americana sound, seamlessly blending blues and roots music with a high sense of entertainment.

Sue Foley is considered to be one of the finest Canadian blues and roots artists working today. Born to a working-class family, she spent her early childhood moving from town to town with her mother. At sixteen, Sue embarked on her professional career and by twenty-one she was living in Austin Texas and recording for the legendary blues label, Antone’s Records. Her first release, Young Girl Blues, quickly established her unique talents as a blues guitarist and songwriter. Throughout the 90s, Sue took to the road with her paisley Telecaster guitar and honed her craft, working and sharing the stage with such artists as BB King, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams and Tom Petty.  Now back in Canada, she has released a total of 13 solo CDs, won 17 Maple Blues Awards and a Juno.

Peter and Sue’s partnership came together from out of the blue; a rushed and forgotten meeting at the 2006 Ottawa Blues festival, a phone call from his manager to her, a haphazard recording session that they both sang horribly at but that made them laugh, and then two years of email correspondence during a dark time in Peter’s life, turned into a CD, a tour, an entirely new concept and show, the reinvention of two careers, and a whole new approach to making music.

Don’t miss Peter Karp & Sue Foley Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage on Friday, October 19^th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and $5 for high school student. Tickets may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre at 315 Jespersen Ave, by phone at 780-962-8995 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. To learn more about Peter and Sue visit www.karpfoley.com.

Horizon Stage Celebrates its Pearl Anniversary

Proudly presenting artists Up Close and Personal for 30 years.

Horizon Stage’s 2012/2013 Season has been on sale since early July and already some performances are starting to fill up. The 318 soft-seat venue, just 20 minutes west of Edmonton, is known for presenting a diverse line-up of artists and genres and this year is no exception. As the theatre celebrates 30 years of arts and culture its staff are dusting off their pearls in eager anticipation.

As a thank-you to its many wonderful patrons, Horizon Stage is giving back to the community with two free concerts during Alberta Culture Days at the end of September. But, if you don’t already have your tickets to Hot Jazz/Cool Jazz: The Sandy Foster Quartet & Jesse Peters Trio (September 29) or Kent Sangster’s Obsessions Octet (September 30), you’re out of luck as both performances are sold out.

Horizon Stage kicks off its regular concert series on October 6 with a solo performance by former Barenaked Ladies front-man Steven Page, followed by a night of blues and roots with award winning musicians Peter Karp and Sue Foley on October 19. Fans of hypnosis and comedy are happily heralding the return of Wayne Lee’s Live The Laughter on November 3, a show that was enjoyed by a sold out audience at Horizon Stage last January. One of the most distinctive voices on the Canadian folk singer-songwriter scene, James Keelaghan, is scheduled to perform on November 4, and contemporary American singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert will be joined by Alberta fiddle and country-folk sensation Lizzy Hoyt on November 9.  Former Legendary Hearts front-man, roots-country troubadour Barney Bentall, returns to Spruce Grove on November 16. And if you would like to celebrate Christmas at Horizon Stage with Lunch at Allen’s on December 15 or A Big Band Christmas on December 22 you’d better get your tickets ASAP as both concerts are close to selling out.     

Start January 2013 off right with the pop/rock music of Elton John and Billy Joel in Jim Witter’s multimedia concert The Piano Men.  Then, celebrate Horizon Stage’s pearl anniversary in style with not one but two performances by musical theatre super-stars Michael Burgess (Les-Miz’s Jean Valjean) and Rebecca Caine (Phantom’s Christine) in The Dream Concert on January 29 and 30.  Guitar enthusiasts will love gypsy jazz guitarist Denis Chang’s Manouche Quartet on February 7 and fans of classical and jazz will find something special with The Wolak-Donnelly Duo (clarinet/piano) on February 16. Eastern Canadian celtic/folk band The Navigators will set the stage on fire with their heart-pounding rhythms on February 22 and Alberta country music band Hey Romeo will keep the party atmosphere going on March 2. Ballet Jörgen Canada returns to Horizon Stage on February 24 with an exciting full-scale production of the classic Swan Lake and francophone-gypsy-klezmer band Sagapool round out the season on April 5.

Presenting something for everyone, Horizon Stage’s 2012/2013 Family Matinee Series will be tons of fun for children aged 4 and up, and the grownups who accompany them. School aged children (k-12) who want to try their hand on-stage or backstage should plan to attend Missoula Children’s Theatre’s open-auditions (no appointment required) on January 14 from 4 - 6 pm. Approximately 50 lucky young actors will be cast in Jack and the Beanstalk which will have two public performances on January 19.  Rounding out the Family Matinee Series are old-time musicians Sheesham & Lotus on February 9, and Montreal dance troupe Bouge de là’s performance of The Studio (L’Atelier) on March 16. 

Ticket prices for Horizon Stage’s 2012/2013 season range from $5 (if you’re a high school student) to $40. Patrons are encouraged to build their own performance packages and will receive discounts based on the number of shows they purchase before October 6^th (3-4 shows = 10% off, 5-6 shows = 15% off, 7+ shows = 20% off).  Student/senior prices and group rates are also available. The Horizon Players two productions, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. (Nov 28-Dec 1) and The Sound of Music (May 2-5 & May 9-11) may also be included in the build your own performance packages.  Family Matinee 3-show Series Packages are priced at $40.

2012/2013 Season tickets and packages are available through the City Hall Ticket Centre, which can be visited in-person at 315 Jespersen Ave or reached by telephone at 780-962-8995. Tickets for individual performances are also available through Ticketmaster and online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Don’t miss out - get yours soon; then plan to wear your pearl necklaces and cuff-links too as we celebrate Horizon Stage’s 30^th Anniversary!

2012 Summer Drama Camps

Registrations open on  Monday, June 4th at 9:30 a.m.

Popular waltz and polka band to perform at Horizon Stage

The Emeralds Show and Dance Band are an Alberta treasure. Since forming in Edmonton in 1970 they have become one of our provinces’ most-loved, polka and waltz bands. With 29 albums to their credit, The Emeralds have received 6 gold, 2 platinum, and 1 double platinum awards and the support of  their local fans is un-wavering. In 1997, they were inducted into the City of Edmonton's Cultural Hall of Fame and they still perform regularly at local events and dances for enthusiastic crowds. Last seen at Horizon Stage in 2009, they are happy to be returning to Spruce Grove on Sunday, April 29^th at 2 p.m.

Best-known for their International Hit "The Bird Dance", a staple at dances and weddings around the world, the Emeralds have toured to New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Trinidad, and the United States. Always fun and full of energy, their concerts feature beloved favourites such as “Blue Hawaii”, “Cotton Eyed Joe", “In The Mood”, “Amazing Grace”, “Clarinet Polka” and “Waltz Across Texas”. Their most recent CD, Look At Us, was released in 2009 and includes versions of “Moonlight Serenade”, “Log Driver's Waltz” and “What a Wonderful World”.

Currently, the Emeralds Show and Dance Band consists of five members: Allan Broder on tenor saxophone and vocals, Wallis Petruk on tenor saxophone, violin, flute, clarinet and vocals, Don Remeika on drums and vocals, Terry Kole on rhythm guitar, banjo, vocals, and voice impressions and Reiner Piehl on keyboards, bass, vocals and voice impressions. Together, these talented musicians will get your toes tapping, your hips swaying, and your whole body up and moving. Yes, there will be space for dancing at their Horizon Stage concert, so don’t be shy!

Let your feathers fly, and waltz to the classics, with The Emeralds when they perform Up Close & Personal at Horizon Stage on Sunday, April 29. The theatre is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School. The Box Office and lobby will open at 1 p.m. and show-time is at 2 p.m. Tickets are just $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors, but don’t wait until the 29^th to purchase yours as there are only a limited number left.  Call 780-962-8995, come in person to the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre at 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go online at www.ticketmaster.ca, as soon as possible to avoid missing out!

Bluegrass Band Blends the Boundaries Between Traditional and Modern

John Reischman & the Jaybirds perform at Horizon Stage on Saturday, April 14, 2012

John Reischman & the Jaybirds know that the best new Bluegrass grows from classic roots. With five critically-acclaimed albums, two Juno nominations, and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, this Vancouver-based quintet produces music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary. Fronted by one of the world’s top-ranked acoustic mandolin players, they perform original songs, instrumentals, vintage gems, and newly-arranged traditional material. Tap your toes with John Reischman & the Jaybirds at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, April 14th at 7:30 p.m.

Veteran artist John Reischman is renowned for his exquisite taste, tone and impeccable musicianship. Born in Ukiah, California in 1955, he first played guitar at age 12, exploring fingerpicking and blues styles before discovering the mandolin at age 17. Drawing inspiration from bluegrass patriarch, Bill Monroe, and acoustic mandolin pioneers, Frank Wakefield, Sam Bush, Andy Statman, and David Grisman, John has also been influenced by the hot swing of guitarist Django Reinhardt and the jazz mandolin of pioneers, Jethro Burns and Tiny Moore. Continually honing his skills for the past three decades, John fuses genres and mixes new sounds with old.

Jaybirds Jim Nunally (guitar), Trisha Gagnon (bass), Nick Hornbuckle (banjo) and Greg Spatz (fiddle), are all highly-acclaimed, top-notch, musicians in their own right. Jim is a San Francisco Bay-area veteran guitarist, songwriter, producer and singer. Chilliwack-based Trisha is one of the most versatile and irresistible vocalists and songwriters in bluegrass, whose strong and distinctive style ranges from “mournful and plaintive” to “hopeful and yearning.” Nanaimo-based Nick has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo, a unique sound with a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. Hailing from Spokane, Greg’s wide-ranging chops have made him a popular West Coast player who has done stints with the legendary Frank Wakefield and resophonic guitarist Rob Ickes.

Together, John Reischman & the Jaybirds’ seamless ensemble work makes for one of the freshest, most tasteful sounds on the folk and bluegrass circuit today. Their tunes range from upbeat and twangy, to bluesy, hard-edge and haunting. In concert, their heartfelt music and vocals are interspersed with a friendly blend of story-telling and humor that provides audiences with a fantastic, unforgettable live performance experience. Last seen at Horizon Stage in 2006, they are excited to be returning and the theatre is very happy to have them back.

Don’t miss John Reischman & the Jaybirds Up Close & Personal at Horizon Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. Tickets are just $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. Purchase your tickets by calling the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre at 780-962-8995, come in person to 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Horizon Stage is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School.

“… Jaybirds’ musicianship is first-rate … best bluegrass and old-time music you’ll find anywhere"
Penguin Eggs

“Top notch musicians and singers deliver an unusual repertoire of originals, bluegrass classics and old-time music."
Acoustic Guitar Magazine

“(a) thoroughly professional ensemble with (the) rare ability to produce music that is simultaneously traditional and contemporary . . . the Jaybirds are a band that continues to hit on all cylinders.”
SingOut! Magazine

Juno Award-Winning Singer Songwriter Performs a Rare Family Matinee Concert

Connie Kaldor will Sing Children’s Songs and Read Her Stories at Horizon Stage on Saturday, April 7

Connie Kaldor is a Juno award-winner and member of the Order of Canada who has sung for royalty. With fourteen albums, including three award-winning children’s CDs and a musical, she has toured across North America and around the world. Having previously performed in Spruce Grove for “grown-up” audiences, she is delighted to be returning to sing specifically for “little people” as a part of Horizon Stage’s Family Matinee Series. So bring your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, the neighbor kids, or just yourself, if you’re feeling young at heart, to hear the incredible Connie Kaldor perform at Horizon Stage on Saturday, April 7th at 2 p.m.

A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Connie Kaldor has been performing for most of her life. Born into a musical family, she grew up singing in the choir. Her love of the arts led her to a theatre degree from the University of Alberta and then to alternative theatre companies such as the Mummers in Newfoundland and Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, influences still very much in evidence at her concerts. Although she left theatre to pursue her songwriting career, Connie’s engaging character and storytelling skills are hallmarks of her live performances.

In 1981 Connie established her independent record label, Coyote Entertainment. By the mid nineteen-eighties, she was headlining folk festivals across Canada and the U.S.A. and she has since toured extensively in North America, India, China and Europe. Connie has shared the stage with countless artists, including Shawn Colvin, Tracy Chapman, Sylvia Tyson, the Chieftains, and Daniel Lanois. In 1984 she received a Most Promising Female Vocalist Juno-nomination for her album Moonlight Grocery and her 2000 album, Love is a Truck, was nominated for a Juno in the Folk Roots category.

Although Connie Kaldor does not often perform concerts exclusively for young people, she has written great quantities of material for them. With two sons and many nieces and nephews of her own, she originally started writing songs to amuse them or put them to sleep. Her 1998 album, Lullaby Berceuse, won a Juno and a Parents’ Choice Award for Best Children’s Album. In 2003 Connie released A Duck in New York City, the story of a little prairie duck with the big idea of making it on Broadway, and her 2006 CD/book, A Poodle in Paris, is the charming story of cabaret singer, Fifi, and her many Parisian friends. Connie’s songs have been recorded by other children’s artists, including Heather Bishop and Quebec performer, Carmen Campagne. Her music has been heard in films, on television shows (Fred Penner’s Place and Teletoon’s For Better or For Worse), and has appeared in children’s songbooks.

Experience the amazing music and story-telling skills of Connie Kaldor Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, April 7th. Tickets for her one-hour Family Matinee at 2 p.m. are $15 for all ages and include an hour of pre-show activities for children in the theatre lobby. Purchase your tickets by calling the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre at 780-962-8995, come in person to 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Horizon Stage is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School.

Multiple Award-Winning, Harmonica-Wielding, Blues Man Coming to Spruce Grove

Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels perform at Horizon Stage on Friday, March 23, 2012

Carlos del Junco is a Juno-nominated, multiple Maple Blues Award-winner, who wields a harmonica like Jimmy Hendrix wielded a guitar. This double gold-medal winner at the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Germany has a command of the mouth organ that is absolute. He “blows his blues harp through a prism and suddenly it seems he's holding every color in the musical rainbow right there in his hands”. Experience Carlos del Junco’s incredible energy, musicianship, and style Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage when he and his band, The Blues Mongrels, perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23rd.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Carlos del Junco (loosely translated "of the reeds") immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of one. He bent his first note on a harmonica when he was fourteen, making his debut at a student talent night. Since 1997 he has won an astounding eight Harmonica Player of the Year Maple Blues Awards. He has recorded with Bruce Cockburn, Kim Mitchell, Cassandra Vassick, Oliver Schroer and Zappacosta, worked with Dutch Mason, Hoc Walsh (Downchild Blues Band) and Holly Cole, and opened for legendary musician, Ray Charles.

Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, Carlos’s playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz - hence the name for his band. The Blues Mongrels’ emphasis is on blues, but they are not afraid to merrily traipse off in other directions, delivering a seamless fusion of New Orleans second line grooves, swing, Latin, hip-hop or ska melodies, to swampy roots rock. With a total of 6 recordings together, Carlos del Junco and the Blues Mongrels’ 2005 CD was favorably called “a kaleidoscopic of musical ideas and shapes (that) blends numerous genres (Blues, Latin, Bluegrass, Jazz, Bebop, Country, Classical, R&B) into a coherent whole” by one critic. Their 2011 CD, Mongrel Mash, continues that tradition with similar highly-acclaimed musical “mashes”.

Prepare to be blown away - no pun intended - by Carlos del Junco and The Blues Mongrels at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Friday, March 23rd. Concert start time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. Purchase your tickets by calling the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre at 780-962-8995, come in person to 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Horizon Stage is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School.

“Blues fans hold on to your hats! Harp players lock your gear in the closet. This is the caliber of player who plays so well that I have wanted to throw my gear in the river…he is THAT good.”
Bill Wilson (Billtown blues.org)

Experience the Rich, Vibrant, Rhythms and Vocals of Traditional African-American Roots Music

See Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 18

Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir are a Grammy-nominated, percussion driven, vocal ensemble with a mission to preserve and share the rich musical traditions of African-American roots music. Entrenched in the deep-south and strongly connected to their West African and Caribbean origins, The Cultural Heritage Choir’s music is filled with lush vocals and dynamic rhythms. Experience their sparkling energy Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 18 when they perform not one, but two, fun and family-friendly concerts; a one-hour Family Matinee at 2 p.m. and a two-hour concert at 7:30 p.m.

A veteran vocalist, percussionist, producer and cultural historian, Linda Tillery’s career has spanned 43 years. Her powerful, shimmering alto voice has been showcased in many of San Francisco’s most popular bands and venues. Performing since she was very young, Linda has made her mark in a diverse mix of musical genres including rock, soul, jazz, and R & B. Considered a founding mother of the women's music movement in the seventies, she has shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin, Chick Corea, Lyle Mays, Jack de Johnette and YoYo Ma. During her illustrious career, Linda Tillery has appeared on over 90 recordings with such artists as Santana, Boz Scaggs, Holly Near, Huey Lewis & The News, Vicki Randle, Pete Escovedo, The Whispers, John Santos and Maria Muldaur.

In 1992 Linda Tillery formed the Cultural Heritage Choir. Together, they protect and share the traditions of African-American roots music, through academic research, review of historical recordings, documents and videos and most importantly, by performing. Since its inception, the Cultural Heritage Choir has brought its rich vocals, incredible energy, and uplifting spirit to 22 different countries. Through song, dance, and story, they transport their audiences to a place in time when the roots of American popular music were just being sewn by the "involuntary immigrants" from Africa's western regions.
Recording music for all ages, The Cultural Heritage Choir’s first two CDs were directed more towards young people and their families. "Shakin' A Tailfeather", a collaboration with veteran performers, Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb, was nominated for a Grammy in 1997 and "Hippity Hop", was awarded a Parent’s Choice Award in 2000. The group's 2003 recording, entitled "Say Yo' Business", was intended for their more mature (but still family-friendly) fan-base and was nominated for a California Music Award. Finally, their most recent CD, “Still We Come, Still We Rise” includes a funky remake of Bob Marley’s Get Up , Stand Up, and the satirical Cuban classic Si Dos Fuera Negro (If God Were Black).

Experience the amazing music of Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, February 18th. Tickets for their one-hour Family Matinee at 2 p.m. are $15 for all ages and include an hour of pre-show activities for children in the theatre lobby. Tickets for the two-hour performance at 7:30 p.m. are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Purchase your tickets by calling the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre at 780-962-8995, come in person to 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go online at www.ticketmaster.ca. Horizon Stage is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School.
www.lindatillery.com, www.culturalheritagechoir.com

Vancouver Band Spreads Jubilation Across the Nation!

Share the Joy with the Human Statues in Spruce Grove on February 17

Together, Jeff Bryant and Zach Stevenson comprise the folk/pop duo The Human Statues. Originally from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, these young men are on a mission to spread “jubilation” across the nation. Whether it’s playing high-energy band shows at festivals, or intimate acoustic performances in theatres like Horizon Stage (February 17) and The Shell Theatre (February 18), Jeff and Zach are committed to connecting with people through humour, authenticity and a love of music and live performance.

The Human Statues blend an energetic pop sensibility with lyrical depth and sweet vocal harmony. Their catchy melodies, rich vocal harmonies and clever lyrics consistently win over audiences, creating a new and growing fan-base wherever they perform. With a play-list that includes a mixture of original songs and popular covers like “Take on Me” by A-ha and “I Saw Her Standing There” by the Beatles, Jeff and Zack’s music appeals to a wide range of ages and genre-preferences. Young, hip, and totally fun, the Human Statues have been compared to Simon and Garfunkel and the Barenaked Ladies.

Experience and delight in the Human Statues for yourself at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Friday, February 17th at 9 p.m. (Note Later Time). Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students/seniors, $5 for eyeGO, and can be purchased by calling 780-962-8995. Ticket are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca.

“Gorgeously bright, jubilant pop”
ECHO Weekly

The Human Statues provide a fun ride through some amazing songs.
The only thing better (than their CD) is seeing them live!”
Steve Darling, Global TV Vancouver

“These guys definitely have the whole package of songs, personality and pizzazz.
The world will be hearing about them, big time!”
David Bash, Shindig Magazine (London, UK)

An Unforgettable One-man Circus Comedy!

Horizon Stage presents Jamie Adkins in Circus Incognitus on Saturday, February 4 at 2 p.m.

With his numerous talents and years of experience as a multidisciplinary acrobat, Jamie Adkins has won the admiration of critics and the adoration of the circus-going public. In his newest creation, Circus Incognitus, Jamie uses everyday objects to perform dazzling, awe-inspiring and hilarious circus routines. Horizon Stage is excited to be presenting Jamie Adkins in Circus Incognitus as the first performance of their 2012 Family Matinee Series on Saturday, February 4th at 2 p.m.

Jamie began his circus career at the age of 13 in San Diego, where he delighted passers-by as a street performer. In San Francisco, he joined the Pickle Family Circus. Later, he became a valued member of Montréal's famed Cirque Éloize, performing in their production Excentricus and touring for them with Typo, a show of his own creation.

As an eclectic clown, juggler, balancing artist, and physical poet, Jamie distinguishes himself with a unique style that faithfully and humorously conveys the essence of the ordinary man. As he forges ahead on his career path, he is always seeking new ways to develop his artistry and to bring wonder and laughter to his audiences. His newest creation, Circus Incognitus, is an artistic event that springs from his own inner world and vibrant imagination. In Circus Incognitus, Jamie’s character is constantly fraught with challenges, but for each problem he always finds a fun and unusual solution.

Join Jamie on his courageous adventure at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 4th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for all ages and include an hour of preshow activities for the kids starting at 1 p.m. Family Matinee Ticket Packages are also available for $35 and they include one ticket to Circus Incognitus, one ticket to Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir on February 18 and one ticket to Connie Kaldor on April 7. To order tickets call 780-962-8995, visit the Spruce Grove City Hall Ticket Centre in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue, or go to www.ticketmaster.ca. Horizon Stage is located at 1001 Calahoo Road, attached to Spruce Grove Composite High School.
www.jamieadkins.com, www.horizonstage.com.