Have a Blues-y, Rock-y, and Toe-Tap-y Christmas

Celebrate the Holidays with Big Hank and a Fist Full of Blues at Horizon Stage on December 13

Big Hank is known for his powerful voice, and when he’s joined on stage by his band, A Fist Full of Blues, additional horn players and vocalists, these seasoned musicians create an exceptional music experience.  Together, they slip into the blues and R&B as easy as you please – adding an edgy, special sound that makes them so much more than your average blues band. Whether performing with gut wrenching drive, or gently caressing a moment of musical tenderness, they promise to make audience members feel both the fun, and the magic, of the holidays on Saturday, December 13 at Horizon Stage.

Big Hank and four of his fellow band members grew up together in Stettler in the 60s and 70s. These life-long friends all performed with the legendary Edmonton band Tacoy Ryde at some point, or another. They decided to form A Fist Full of Blues in Edmonton in 2008 so that they could write, record, and play their own original songs. They then went on to record two CDs of all original material, perform across Western Canada and at some major festivals, and had the number 12 most played blues song on Galaxie/Sting Ray Music’s blues station in 2012.

Performing at Horizon Stage will be the six core members of A Fist Full of Blues: Hank Leonhardt (vocals), Duane Smith (bass), Barrie Nighswander (guitar), Ken Kirkwood (guitar), Bill Hobson (drums), and Dennis Meneely (keyboards). They will be also joined by special guests Rita McDade (vocals), Dave Herrick (trumpet) and Claude Godin (sax). This combination of exceptional musicians, and Big Hank's incredible voice, is going to have everyone grooving in their seats from the get-go.

December 13^th’s concert is a tribute to fabulous blues-y Christmas tunes from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. The song-list will include a good mix of swing, jazz and blues. “We worked real hard to put together this special tribute to the blues songs of Christmas and it is as much fun for us playing the tunes as it is for the audience who is listening to them.” says Hank Leonhardt.

Choose the blues and keep it live with Big Hank and A Fist Full of Blues Christmas, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $35 for adults, and $30 for students and seniors. Purchase yours in-person at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, or online at www.horizonstage.com.

This performance is proudly sponsored by Canadian Heritage, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Travelodge Inn & Suites, and Ticketpro. 

A Musical Game Show Twist on a Classic Fairy Tale

Alberta Opera Brings Their New Adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin to Spruce Grove on November 15

Things are not always what they seem in this thrilling new musical adventure! The Miller family lives an ideal life complete with a beautiful house, a white picket fence, and an adorable baby. But when an impossible situation threatens to change their lives forever, a mysterious figure emerges with an opportunity to turn their fortunes around. Is this mystery man the solution to their problem, or will he just make everything worse? Straight off a successful run at Fringe Theatre Adventures, don’t miss Alberta Opera Touring Association’s Rumpelstiltskin, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 15 at 2 p.m.

When Mr. Miller loses his job Mr. King from the bank of Listl & Prustemink threatens to take away everything that the Millers hold dear, including their newborn son. But the mystifying Skip Goldman and his “Spin to Win” game show offer the family fabulous prizes and, most importantly, hope. All they have to do is relinquish items that they value in order to be allowed to play. Will the odds work in their favour? Will they win enough money to make their problems disappear or will they lose it all? Are those actual dancing cereal boxes? Who IS Skip Goldman and what is his real name?

Written by Alberta Opera’s Artistic Directors, Farren Timoteo and Jeff Unger, this fun, flashy, musical adaptation of The Brothers Grimm’s 1812 fairy tale is full of catchy radio jingles and television commercials.  As the second show in Horizon Stage’s 2014/2015 Family Matinee Series it promises to be a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience for audience members of all ages. Come early for free preshow crafts and activities in the theatre lobby starting at 1 p.m.

Founded in 1984, Alberta Opera was created with a mandate to perform traditional opera for children around the province. Now in its 31st season, the Sterling-Award winning company continues to present high-quality, original, live musical theatre for young audiences and promote an understanding and appreciation of classic literature. Their celebrated musical theatre adaptations of fairy tales tour to hundreds of schools and theatres across our province every year. Famous for incorporating local students into their high-energy presentations, this production at Horizon Stage will be no exception as 8 – 16 young volunteers will be working as junior cast and crew on November 15.

Tickets to see Rumpelstiltskin at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 15 at 2 p.m. are $20 for adults, and $16 for children and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave) or by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090. Tickets can also be bought online at www.horizonstage.com by clicking on the ‘Tickets’ link. This performance is recommended for audience members aged 4 and up. 

This performance is proudly sponsored by The Horizon Stagelighters, Ticketpro.ca, Travelodge Inn & Suites, Canadian Heritage, and The Alberta Foundation for the Arts.