Death Meets His Match in Grim and Fischer

Don’t miss the battle of a lifetime at Horizon Stage on Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. Death will meet his match in Mrs. Fischer, a stubborn senior whose will to live is a force to be reckoned with. Equal parts hilarious and touching, Grim and Fischer by WONDERHEADS is the story of a tenacious granny who comes face to face with the Grim Reaper himself and puts up the fight of her life to escape his grasp. Called “intriguing, flawless, and utterly brilliant” this award-winning physical comedy won “Best of the Fest” at the Edmonton, Victoria, Vancouver, and Calgary Fringe Festivals in 2011, and Patrons’ Pick in Winnipeg in 2013. A profoundly fun blend of wit and pathos, Grim and Fischer confronts the inevitable question: what is it to know your end is nigh?

The WONDERHEADS are a multi-award winning physical theatre company based in Portland, Oregon, that specialize in full-face mask, a rare and whimsical form of theatre. They love nothing more than mashing comedy, beauty, irreverence, and a splash of sorrow together to create shows like no one has ever seen before. Co-Heads Kate Braidwood and Andrew Phoenix mix European larval mask traditions with character mask styles, resulting in a theatrical style rarely seen on North American stages. Audiences have described the experience as watching a living cartoon – the whimsy and imagination of Pixar or Warner Bros in live-theatre format. With a distinctive approach that blends silent storytelling, rich soundscapes, fantastical puppetry, timeless slapstick, and deft physical performance, The WONDERHEADS make it their business to step beyond words and ignite the hearts and imaginations of every audience member. Their other two productions, Loon, and The Middle of Everywhere, have also received stellar reviews and similar accolades.

Don’t miss Grim and Fischer by WONDERHEADS, an utterly unique and enchanting dramatic comedy, on Friday, February 12. Doors  open at 7:15 and the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca. 

“Grim and Fischer is utter magic.”

– CBC

“It’s all wonderful, original, beautiful fun to watch unfold onstage.”

– Calgary Herald

“Anyone who has lost someone they loved should expect to be deeply moved by this imaginative encounter with the Grim Reaper …You will laugh, you will cry, you will stand in awe that two mimes in masks can evoke such powerful feelings.”

– Edmonton Sun

Spend the Afternoon with Four Charming 1940s Inspired Songstresses

Enjoy Rosie and the Riveters’ Spirited Matinee at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 4

Since the Second World War, Rosie the Riveter has been immortalized as a symbol of the strength and power inside every woman; and it is that force that drives and inspires the fiercely talented members of Rosie and the Riveters. These ladies’ compelling performances combine seductive vocal arrangements with body percussion, acoustic instrumentation with scintillating dance moves, and inviting humor with a lot of charm! Attend their 2 p.m. matinee at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 4 and you’ll be treated to traditional African American spirituals, beautiful bluegrass numbers, contemporary folk songs, lovely a cappella, and original material. This ain’t your wailin’ and weapin’ gospel hour! Rosie and the Riveters revisit the spirit of folk infused with the magic of the 1940s.

Alexis Normand, Allyson Reigh, Melissa Nygren, and Farideh Olsen are the four classy dames from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who make up Rosie and the Riveters.  All professional musicians with impressive credentials and projects outside the band, it’s the uplifting, vintage-inspired music that they sing together that will charm your socks off. With whoops, hollers, and mile-wide smiles, they create a feel-good concert experience that’s lighthearted and captivating for all music lovers.

Rosie and the Riveters’ debut album, Good Clean Fun!, is high-energy and versatile. It combines The Andrews Sisters vintage vocal treatment with Mahalia Jackson soul and the sweetness of the Good Lovelies. Sealed with Rosie and the Riveters’ signature vocal harmonies and humour, it features songs about everything from their deep love of thrift store shopping (“Red Dress”) to post-apocalyptic visions of the melting of the ice caps (“Watching the Water Rise”) to dancing angels (“Dancing ‘cause of my Joy”).  It is the perfect example of the group’s overarching values of love, harmony, and gratitude, with a little sass and a touch of ooh-la-la tossed into the mix.

Spend the afternoon with Rosie and the Riveters at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 4. Doors open at 1:45 and the concert starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for all ages, and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online at Ticketpro.ca.

Celtic-Rock-Out with the Derina Harvey Band

Limited Seats Still Available for Their Concert on Saturday, January 30

Led by a fearless front-woman, Derina Harvey Band is a five-piece Celtic-rock group whose original jigs and reels and fresh takes on traditional tunes make them a crowd-pleaser wherever they go. With an infectious rhythmic undertow that’s layered with rock guitar, dizzying fiddle motifs, and Derina’s powerful voice, their high-energy shows have earned them an enthusiastic, loyal, and growing fan-base. Boisterous and fun to dance to, they leave their audiences out-of-breath and hollering for more! Don’t miss the chance to party with the Derina Harvey Band at Horizon Stage on Saturday, January 30.

Though now based in Alberta, 2015 saw these transplanted east-coasters travel across the country to entertain crowds at theatres, festivals, and pubs. With three tours to Newfoundland under their belts, Derina Harvey Band have performed twice at the George Street Festival in St. John's, opened  for Shanneyganock, and shared stages with Jimmy Rankin, The Irish Descendents, Pogey, The Trews, Kim Mitchell, and Trooper. They also play regularly in clubs and bars in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, and across the province.

This band continues to build their fan base by promoting their shows and their 2013 self-titled debut album. The record has garnered airplay on many radio stations including CKUA in Edmonton, K-Rock and Radio Newfoundland in St. John's, and Canada-wide on CBC. They are currently working on their second album, Rove and Go, which is due out in March 2016.

There are just 20 seats left for Derina Harvey Band’s concert on Saturday, January 30. Doors  open at 7:15 and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online at ticketpro.ca.  Get yours soon before they’re gone!

Spend an Intimate Evening with Kira Isabella at Horizon Stage

Get Up Close and Personal with One of Country Music’s Hottest Young Stars on Friday, January 22

Ottawa-born Kira Isabella is one of Canada’s brightest young country music stars. She has had multiple hit singles, toured with Carrie Underwood and Terri Clark, and won two Canadian Country Music Awards. This month she is bringing a three piece band to Horizon Stage for an intimate concert that will showcase her pop and rock-tinged country hits and her heart-wrenching ballads.  Edmonton area fans will have the opportunity to get Up Close and Personal with Kira Isabella at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Friday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Kira Isabella has been passionate about singing and songwriting since she was very young. She began playing the guitar and entering vocal competitions at age seven and started writing poetry and lyrics in grade four. She listened to and drew inspiration from everything – alternative rock, pop, hip-hop – but it was the tradition of country music storytelling that had the greatest impact on her work. Encouraged by her family, and her success at competitions, her drive and her undeniable talent landed her a deal with Sony Music Entertainment Canada in 2009.

Kira’s 2011 debut album, Love Me Like That, delivered four hit singles including its title song and the smash hit “A Little More Work”. Her second album, Caffeine & Big Dreams, was released in 2014 and highlighted both her personal and professional growth. Caffeine & Big Dreams demonstrated a new-found maturity with the bold and powerful track “Quarterback” while still and showcasing Kira’s signature sassy style in “Gone Enough” and her most recent release, "Shake It If Ya Got It".

In the past five years Kira has received multiple music awards and more positive recognition nationally. After being named 2012’s ‘Rising Star’ at the Canadian County Music Awards she received a 2013 Juno nomination for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’. She was crowned ‘Female Artist of the Year’ at the 2013 CCMAs and more ‘Female Artist of the Year’ nominations followed in 2014 and 2015. Caffeine & Big Dreams was nominated for a Juno in 2015 and CBC Music listed her as one of Canada’s best musicians under the age of 25 in November. 

Opening for Kira Isabella will be Livy Jeanne. This 2013 Edmonton Music Awards ‘Rising Star’ winner brilliantly balances country twang with pop polish and an honest, organic approach. Livy launched her career in 2012 with her debut single ‘Invisible’. In 2013 her song ‘Any Other Way’ peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Canada Country chart and in 2014, ‘Wrong Side of the Dirt’ hit number 35 on the same charts. Livy released her most recent album, Dashboard Renegade, in July 2015.

Spend an intimate and interactive evening with Kira Isabella and Livy Jeanne at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 22. Doors  open at 7:15 and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $40 for adults and $35 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR !