Spice Up Your January with Sass, Sparkles, Feathers, and Fun

Cheesecake Burlesque Revue Bring Their High-Energy Workshop and Show Back to Horizon Stage

The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue keeps their audiences coming back for more! More laughs, more tease, and more body confidence. With influences from cult classics like Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Broadway favourites like Guys and Dolls to imaginative roller coasters like their original Cheesecakes In Space, these girls know how to put on the modern day show-stopper! Known for their high-energy acts, standout performers, comedic timing, steamy seductiveness, and girl-next-door accessibility, the Cheesecakes’ wonderfully sassy performance is a perfect mother/daughter date, girls night out, or show to share with your sweetheart. Spend a fun and fabulous night with Cheesecake Burlesque Revue at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Formed in 2006, The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue is based in Victoria B.C. The troupe has won multiple awards and have dazzled and delighted audiences in Las Vegas, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle, Helsinki, Paris, Stockholm, Rome, Berlin, and all across Canada. With a mission that includes performing with confidence, humour and sass, and putting on wicked shows that inspire and encourage their audiences, they continually develop themselves as performers. As much as their show is about fun and entertainment, it is also about sending a message: “Everyone is beautiful, and everyone should be proud of their bodies.” Armed with a sassy-silliness and a g-force of glitter, these girls pack a sparkly punch that will make your heart happy and leave you loving the skin you’re in!

The Cheesecakes mix song, dance, comedy, and lots of skin into a two-hour tour de force that will make you scream with every unhooked bra, laugh out loud, and holler for more at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $35 for adults and $30 for seniors and students (age 16+) 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.

AND… Unleash your own inner diva! Join the Cheesecakes for Tease and Tassels, a 3-hour burlesque workshop on Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m.! Learn the history of burlesque and how to bump, shimmy, and tassel twirl. Spend the evening with fabulous, like-minded women and leave feeling great about your body and yourself. Students have the option to join the Cheesecakes briefly on stage during their January 17 performance at Horizon Stage. Register online through this link or call 780-962-8995 before January 13. The cost is just $30! Participants should bring heels or dancing shoes, comfortable clothing, and GLAM IT UP!!! Boas, gloves, and tassels will be supplied for use. Sorry gentlemen Tease and Tassels is for ladies only, ages 16 and up, but we’d love to see you at the show on Friday!

“Whoa! My face hurts from laughing so much! WHAT A SHOW – so much talent on one stage! 

I can’t wait for their next show!" 

-Chelsea in Victoria

“I haven’t had anything make me feel that good in years. 

You guys could easily be called THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.”

-Barb in Nelson

“I HIGHLY recommend attending this event! It was hands down the BEST show of the year! 

Fun, sexy, and delicious!!!!!!  A must see!”

-Natalie in Invermere

Rythmo! is The Perfect Show for Kids Who Love to Make Noise

Everyone in the Audience Will Get Instruments So They Can Play Along on January 11, 2020

With the tag-lines “YOU are the show” and “Drums for Everyone” it’s no surprise that Samjam, and their show Rythmo!, have become an international success.  Rythmo! is a 200% participatory musical experience for the entire family. Full of energy, fun, and learning, each member of the audience receives all the equipment they need to become an integral part of the show. Bringing music to life in a way that allows everyone to contribute, Rythmo! is sure to be a favourite family show this season. Join the fun at Horizon Stage on Saturday, January 11 at 2 p.m.

Music plus fun, plus participation, equals Rythmo!, where you will receive a Samajam music bag, full of percussion instruments including drumsticks, musical tubes, and tambourines. You will learn and perform music with the Samajam artists, create collective songs and games with the Samajam video games, and play for more than 80% of the show. Recommended for ages 4 and up Rythmo! promises to be fun for parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles too! And, with Christmas on the horizon, theatre tickets are the perfect gift of entertainment for kids who already have too much stuff.

Samajam is a Quebec-based percussion company that has performed over 5,000 shows in the last 10 years. They have showcased productions in more than 10 countries and have six full time teams touring theatres, amusement parks, outdoor festivals, and cruise ships all over the world. With a mission to create participatory musical experiences aimed at entertaining, educating, and mobilizing, they value performance, professionalism, generosity, and an energizing attitude.

Founded in 1994 by Louis Bellemare, the Samajam Percussion School has become over the years the largest percussion school in Canada, with facilitators teaching classes in African, Brazilian, Latin and Gumboot percussion to over 800 participants per week. The Samajam School Perseverance Project has actively mobilized more than 19,000 children in the past 7 years through participatory musical activities in schools, child care facilities, and camps. In 2016 the company took their Kids and Family Music Show to international audiences and it quickly became the most popular touring production in China.

Rythmo! is not a show that children need to sit still and be quiet at; active involvement is encouraged. Come make some noise with Samajam at Horizon Stage on Saturday, January 11 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are just $12 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 through Ticketpro.ca. Free preshow activities will run in the lobby from 1 - 1:45 p.m. Drumsticks for everyone!

Looking For Some Holiday Fun? This Cabaret is Full of Stories, Jokes, and Christmas Carols

Give Yourself A Night of Strictly Business… Christmas Business on December 14   

                                            

The holidays are a wonderful, joyful, and delightful time of year. They can also be a bit hectic, stressful, and nerve-wracking. A Night of Strictly Business… Christmas Business is the perfect way to relax, let yourself unwind, and have some kooky fun this December. A Strictly Business Christmas cabaret features musical theatre, Christmas tunes, and storytelling in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere. Kayla Nickel and Kelsey Visscher charm their audiences with wit, musicality, and a whole lot of humour. And, with their catchphrase, “come laugh with us or at us,” these ladies promise that you’ll have a good time with them at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, December 14.

Strictly Business Theatre is an Edmonton-based theatre company producing and performing both hilariously entertaining and heartwarming cabarets. They’ve sold out their annual Christmas shows in Edmonton for the past four years and are looking forward to visiting other communities in Alberta this year and spreading holiday happiness.

Singer and actor Kelsey Visscher is a graduate of Grant MacEwan's Theatre Arts Program. She has spent the last five years continuing her training in musical theatre performance both locally and in New York City. Kelsey is very proud to have recently completed her grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music theory exam and is excited to continue learning more about music.

Kayla Nickel is a quadruple threat - actor, singer, dancer, and musician. Recent theatre credits include the charming musical Bright Star at Rosebud Theatre and the Leonard Cohen-inspired Chelsea Hotel. Kayla has studied voice in Edmonton and New York, and was awarded the top prize in Musical Theatre from the National Music Festival of Canada. She is a graduate of MacEwan University’s Theatre Arts program and an accomplished cellist with her grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music certificate in performance.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle, give yourself a present, and have some Christmas fun at A Night of Strictly Business… Christmas Business at Horizon Stage on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

A Celtic Harp Concert That Celebrates Christmas Traditions

Nadeau Ensemble: A Prairie Christmas on December 7th Will Put You in the Holiday Spirit

Led by Janelle Nadeau on pedal harp and vocals, Nadeau Ensemble’s A Prairie Christmas is a captivating concert that celebrates the season by honouring and cherishing special traditions with family and friends. Joining Janelle are world-renowned Celtic harpist and vocalist Kim Robertson, violinist Serena Eades, and Medieval instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala. Let these talented musicians take you on an enchanting journey into the living room of their memories, at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Whether performing with a full band in a concert hall or an intimate solo show at a palliative care home, Vancouver harpist Janelle Nadeau has built a career on versatility, taking the stage with everyone from Diana Krall to Kanye West, from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to The Who. Janelle has won both first and second place in the Winnipeg Women’s Musical Club Competition and she was a regional finalist in CBC’s annual Searchlight competition (B.C. division). After graduating from the prestigious Harp Performance Program at the University of British Columbia in 2008, she spent a decade touring Western Canada with the acclaimed Celtic, medieval, and classical music group Winter Harp. Born and raised in small-town Manitoba, Janelle is still a prairie girl at heart; she knows her way around heavy farm machinery and still returns home in the summer to work on her family’s grain farm.

Kim Robertson is a renowned performer, composer, and recording artist who has stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers and music lovers. As a pioneer of the American folk harp movement, she combines inventiveness and virtuosity with a keen sense of melody and respect for tradition. Classically trained on piano and orchestra harp, she regularly tours the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Spanish multi-instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala is also a former member of the Celtic group Winter Harp. Joaquin plays the nyckelharpa, symphonie, tambura, harmonium, organistrum, and other beautiful and interesting medieval instruments. His special collection of rare instruments, some of which will be showcased in A Prairie Christmas, dates back to the 9th century.  

Serena Eades is a Vancouver-based violinist who is best-known for being a member of fusion band Delhi 2 Dublin. Serena is also a highly-respected session musician, performer, composer and educator whose unique style reflects a lifetime of studying western classical music and various folk idioms – primarily Celtic and Brazilian. Serena holds a Bachelor of Music degree collectively from Brandon University, Capilano College, and La Universidad de Colima in Mexico as well as a Professional Music diploma from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

Create new and lasting Christmas memories with the Nadeau Ensemble: A Prairie Christmas at Horizon Stage on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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 through Ticketpro.ca.

Every Song Evokes a Memory. Every Lyric Takes You Back.

Mac Daddy: The Fleetwood Mac Experience brings the music of Fleetwood Mac to Horizon Stage on November 29 & 30

Mac Daddy is an Edmonton-based tribute band that performs and celebrates the music of Fleetwood Mac with integrity and passion. This Fleetwood Mac live experience pays homage to the classic line-up of the band, with respect for its artistry and influence on popular music and culture. You’ll hear the songs you know so well, like “The Chain”, “Little Lies”, “Don’t Stop”, and “Say You Love Me”, alongside some classic tracks Fleetwood Mac have never played live. Mac Daddy performs Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits from the 70s and 80s, and even touches on their early years as a British blues band. Tickets for Mac Daddy’s original concert at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 30 sold so well the theatre added another performance on Friday, November 29.

The members of Mac Daddy are Laurie Slater (Stevie Nicks), Mark Donaghy (Lindsey Buckingham), Crystal Goodfellow (Christine McVie), David Bowden (Mick Fleetwood), and David Gaitan Galvez (John McVie). All five are former members of the cover band Head Over Heels. In 2015 they were looking for promo photo ideas, and pictures of Fleetwood Mac kept coming up. They decided that because they had the same lineup (two female singers, drums, bass, and guitar), and they were already enjoying covering some of Fleetwood Mac’s songs, they would become a tribute band. And that’s how Mac Daddy was born.

Enjoy a Fleetwood Mac experience like no other with Mac Daddy at Horizon Stage on Friday, November 29 (great seats available) and Saturday, November 30 (limited seats) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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 through Ticketpro.ca.

Jake’s Gift is About Legacy and Remembrance

Award-winning play makes the story behind one soldier’s grave personal at Horizon Stage on November 7

Horizon Stage is pleased to bring back Jake’s Gift to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Juno Beach campaign. This multi-award winning one-actor play is about a Canadian World War II veteran’s reluctant return to Juno Beach for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. While revisiting the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious 10-year-old from the local village. Isabelle’s inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts – most notably the war-time death of his eldest brother, Chester, a once promising young musician. At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and makes personal the story behind one soldier’s grave. Open yourself up to Jake’s Gift at Horizon Stage on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.

In June 2004, playwright Julia Mackey traveled to Normandy, France, for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. It was one of the most moving and powerful experiences of her life. During that week long journey, Julia interviewed dozens of Canadian, British and American WWII veterans who had returned for the ceremonies. For many, it was their first time back to France since the war. The stories they shared with Julia and her own life-long interest in Remembrance Day inspired the development of Jake’s Gift. In August 2006, the play’s first draft received a workshop performance at the Sunset Theatre’s Exploration Series in Wells, BC.

Since 2007, Jake’s Gift has played at festivals and theatres in over 250 communities across Canada, as well as international stops to Washington State, the UK, and Normandy, France, for the 70th, 73rd, and 75th Anniversaries of D-Day, and sold out shows at the Edmonton Fringe Festival (2008, 2010, 2013, 2018) and Horizon Stage (2011 & 2016).  2019 marks their 13th year of touring, and Juno Productions and Jake’s Gift continue to garner awards and rave reviews whether playing in small rural towns or big city centers. Jake’s Gift is a one act play that runs 65 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for ages 10 and up. Audience members are also invited to join Julia after the performance for a question, answer, and conversation session.

Fans love this play so much that they return to see it over and over again. Fall in love with Jake’s Gift for your first, second, or tenth time at Horizon Stage on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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. There aren’t many seats left for this show so don’t wait too long!

 “Jake’s Gift is the most theatrically pure show I have ever seen. Julia Mackey delivers a stunning performance. So well fleshed out are her characters, so instantaneous are her transitions that it feels like an ensemble show.”

- Katie Nicholson, CBC Winnipeg

 “Julia Mackey is an eminently watchable actor and her transformations between characters are stunning and nuanced.”

– Bryan Birtles, Vue Weekly

“Jake’s Gift is as near a perfect play as I’ve ever seen.”

– Jackie Flanagan, Alberta Views magazine

A Magical Mix of Classical Music and Fun

Christopher Hall and the Comic Quartet Demystify the World of Chamber Music at Horizon Stage

                                                                                                                                                      

Comedian and former principal clarinet Christopher Hall is trying to demystify the sometimes formal world of chamber music. With the help of Edmonton's StrathconaString Quartet he strives to answer such existential questions as “What exactly is a musician thinking while he is playing?”, and “What’s the difference between contemporary music and a migraine?” Laugh along with Christopher’s hilarious anecdotes then marvel as he presents 1000 years of music history in 15 minutes. But this concept isn’t all comedy, music lovers will marvel at exquisitely performed excerpts from Mozart, Boccherini, Schostakovitch, and Bach while novices will realize just how many of the classics they actually know! You don’t need a mink coat or a doctorate in musicology to enjoy Christopher Hall and the Comic Quartet at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.; but if you own either or both this is still the show for you.

Christopher Hall is the former principal clarinet for the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montréal. He found working in an orchestra far too serious so now, instead of joking around while sitting in the orchestra pit, he performs as a stand-up comedian, and does various television and radio shows in both English and French. Christopher has appeared in such prestigious comedy festivals as Just for Laughs, The Winnipeg Comedy Fest, and the Grand Rire in Québec City. He hosted Whoopi Goldberg’s Quebec City show in 2011 and has won two Gémeaux awards (French Gemini). Christopher is fluent in English, French, German, and Italian but whatever you do, DO NOT take this man seriously!

The Strathcona String Quartet, Edmonton’s most outstanding and versatile professional chamber ensemble, have been performing together since 1987. They have released two highly praised CDs which are frequently heard on radio stations across North America including CBC radio, CKUA, and CJSR. The Strathcona String Quartet is well known for their world premiere performances of works for string quartet by local and international composers. They perform much of the Classical and Romantic repertoire as well as historically informed early music on period instruments. The members of the quartet are Jennifer Bustin (violin), Shannon Johnson (violin), Sarah Wilbur-Woodman (viola), and Josephine van Lier (cello).

Learn everything you’ve always wanted to know about classical music, and the musicians who perform it, but were afraid to ask, from Christopher Hall and The Comic Quartet at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

“The audience laughed uproariously all evening. And the most surprising thing was at the end of the program Hall played the entire Mozart clarinet concerto like a first-rate soloist!”

- La Press

"The clarinetist and comedian Christopher Hall unveiled the inner workings of a symphony orchestra from A to Z, and the audience laughed throughout the evening.”

- Quebec Hebdo

Innovative and Refreshingly Different Duo Perform at Horizon Stage November 2

Described as “The Pink Floyd of Folk Music” The Multi-Award-Winning Red Dirt Skinners Blend Exceptional Harmonies With World Class Musicianship.                                                                    

If you like songs influenced by Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, Supertramp, Crosby Stills and Nash, or David Bowie, coupled with epic storytelling, humour, and heartfelt emotions, you'll love the Red Dirt Skinners. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative acts to come out of the UK in recent years, the duo have had success both nationally and internationally; winning awards in several genres. With a sublime sound is that is instantly recognizable, they draw influences from more genres than would make sense to list, and refuse to be pigeonholed. Comfortably blending exceptional, almost telepathic harmonies with the unique instrumentation of soprano saxophone and acoustic guitar, The Skinners audiences describe them as ‘refreshingly different'.  The Red Dirt Skinners are touring western Canada this fall and will be making a much-anticipated stop at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 2.

Husband and wife duo Rob and Sarah Skinner have recorded five albums together. The first act in history to achieve accolades at both the British Blues and British Country Awards, their distinctive sound won them folk/roots album of the year in several polls across the UK and North America and saw them nominated for duo of the year at the International Acoustic Music Awards. These eight-time UK Songwriting Awards finalist have sold out tours across the UK, Europe, and North America. They have been endorsed by DMJ Music (UK) and Sarah was the first female artist to be endorsed by Trevor James Saxophones.

Hailing originally from the South East of England, Rob and Sarah have both been musicians for the majority of their lives. In 2017, after completing five successful Canadian tours, they were fast-tracked by Canadian Immigration and moved to Ontario to become permanent residents here. Their 2018 album, Under Utopian Skies, is a testament to their love of Canada and is described by Trevor Oxborrow of Folk At Five as “A masterpiece of audio bliss”. Advocates for finding the positives in every situation, Rob and Sarah love to give back, and they spend much of their off-tour time encouraging new artists into the music scene and finding them performance opportunities. Their current tour is supported by funding from the Ontario Arts Council.

 

The Skinners last performed in the capital region in October 2018 at the New Moon Folk Club. They have a natural rapport with their audiences and their live shows are a wonderful experience; a musical journey to remember. Be prepared for laugh out loud lyrics, followed by songs sure to pull at your heartstrings. Rob and Sarah Skinner will steal your hearts. Don’t miss their concert at Horizon Stage on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

“They really do have an across the board appeal. Renowned for their soaring choruses,
fabulous soprano sax solos and clever thought provoking lyrics.”

- Folk Roots Radio

"The space where the vocals of Sarah and Rob Skinner meet features two tones existing as a single note."

- The Alternate Root Magazine

"Musically set apart from the mass of bands who are just copying what has gone before.”

-  Music News

Take Your Family to the Theatre on a Tuesday

Horizon Stage Presents TerZettto, a Giggle-Filled Family Show, Next Tuesday, October 8

 

Three doors, three chairs, three wooden boards... one light bulb... this is the setting for TerZettto, a zany, quirky production by Quebecois physical theatre company L’Aubergine.  As the very different worlds of three clowns collide, their silliness, enthusiasm, and uncontrollable imaginations bring them together. Gradually forgetting their own individuality, the clowns playfully build rapport around what they hold most dear: their ‘joie de vivre’. Celebrate playfulness and giggle gleefully with TerZettto at Horizon Stage on Tuesday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Struggling with their own childishness and zeal, which sometimes prevent them from seeing further than the tips of their toes, the three clowns meet, size each other up, experience some friction, and create new bonds based on their unique abilities. For one, it is the flexibility of their body; for another, it is the pleasing tone of their voice; for the last, it is the sheer excess of their constructions. Through various scenes forged with humour and flair, TerZettto examines the topic of human relationships. It inspires light-heartedness, joy, and—most importantly —lots and lots of laughter, as these three clowns have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Founded in 1974 L’Aubergine is one of the oldest Canadian companies, and the oldest in the Quebec City region, to produce shows for young people and family audiences. It has carved out its own special niche by nurturing a unique artistic vision that combines clown performances, circus arts, music and movement, and theatrical techniques. L’Aubergine’s mission is to create and widely present professional clowning shows of all types and to all audiences while focusing on innovation, quality and refinement. They aim to give clowning credibility by developing a dramaturgy based on the search for authentic and modern characters.
 
Since its inception, L’Aubergine has created more than sixty shows, as well as various productions for major events. Its markets have developed cyclically, in line with the success of its shows, leaving a lasting impression on hundreds of thousands of spectators, both young and old, from Canada, the United States, France, Spain and Mexico. L’Aubergine has succeeded in establishing its presence in the local and international artistic landscape.

Every season Horizon Stage offers a selection of Family Friendly performances for children aged 5 and up and their grownups. These hour long shows usually include 45 minutes of preshow activities, crafts, and colouring as well. TerZettto is the first Family Programming presentation in Horizon Stage’s 2019 - 20 Season and it’s also the first ever Tuesday evening Family Programing presentation. TerZettto starts at 6:30 instead of 7:30 p.m. to accommodate an earlier bed-time for its younger attendees. Preshow activities begin at 5:30 p.m.

Take your family to the theatre on a Tuesday night and enjoy TerZettto at Horizon Stage on October 8. Tickets are just $12 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 through Ticketpro.ca.

Culture Days In Spruce Grove - Free Events & Activities at the Library, Art Gallery, Horizon Stage

Saturday, September 28

Intrigue Stations

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Experience a cultural landscape of poetry and music from around the world at 

these DIY activity centres throughout the library.

Drop in at the Spruce Grove Public Library, 35 Fifth Ave

Family Arts Class

12 - 1:30 p.m. & 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Come create colourful landscape paintings in the distinctively Canadian style of Ted Harrison. Ages 6+ must be accompanied by an adult. 

Call 780-962-0664 to register. Spruce Grove Art Gallery, 35 Fifth Ave.

Retro and Robotic Art

1 – 5:30 p.m.

Visit the Innovation Lab to create a typewriter poem and experience robot art.

Drop in at the Spruce Grove Public Library, 35 Fifth Ave

Christine Hanson’s The Cremation of Sam McGee -  SOLD OUT

Preshow Activities 6 - 7:15 p.m.      Performance 7:30 p.m.

An awe-inspiring visual arts and live music performance of Robert Service’s famous poem. Christine Hanson’s musical compositions perfectly accompany the poetry; backed by slides featuring the artwork of renowned artist Ted Harrison.

Horizon Stage, 1001 Calahoo Road

Sunday, September 29

Creative Writing Workshop 

12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Join Scottish poet Gerry Cambridge, the founder-editor of the internationally regarded poetry journal The Dark Horse, at this one-of-a-kind workshop. Register: library@sgpl.ca

Spruce Grove Public Library, 35 Fifth Ave.

For More Information
Spruce Grove Public Library 780-962-4423
Spruce Grove Allied Arts Council 780-962-0664
City Hall Ticket Centre 780-962-8995

culturedays.ca

Funding provided by: The Goverment of Alberta, The City of Spruce Grove, and Canadian Heritage

Trailblazing Australian Blues Guitarist to Perform in Spruce Grove

Lloyd Spiegel Brings His Unique Solo Show to Horizon Stage on September 21

Multi-award winning Australian blues artist Lloyd Spiegel is returning to Canada to deliver a unique solo concert experience. Blending jaw-dropping guitar chops with a commanding voice, powerful songwriting, storytelling, and humour, it’s no wonder that he has been described as an “Oz Roots & Blues Icon” by Rolling Stone Australia. Although he has performed in our country before, this will be Spiegel’s first trip to Alberta and Spruce Grove will be the second stop on his tour. He will wow blues fans at Horizon Stage on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. 

Spiegel is a trailblazer in his field and one of his country's most recognized guitarists, recently being named in Australian Guitar Magazine's list of the 50 greatest Australian guitarists of all time. “A guitarist almost without peer, Spiegel deconstructs how the blues guitar is supposed to operate, makes sweet love to it, then kicks it out the back door.” says Australian Guitar Player Magazine.

A touring artist since age 11, with 10 albums to his name, and one of the most unique stories in music have allowed this seven time Australian Blues Award winner to squeeze more into his 40 years than many do in a lifetime. As a determined young musician, after recording his first album, Spiegel found his way from Australia to America. “I was a 16 year old child on the south side of Chicago with a guitar on my back, figuring out how to get into these blues clubs I often read about.” 

Since then, Spiegel has toured the globe with frequent visits to Europe, New Zealand, and the United States where he has performed at major festivals, theatres, and iconic Juke Joints as well as supporting the likes of Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and Etta James on tour. He has sat with the founding fathers of modern blues from Brownie McGhee to Luther Allison and more recently, found great success in Japan, performing sold out concerts at Tokyo Disneyland.

Growing up in the music business, naturally Lloyd is passionate about mentoring the next generation. He has taken countless young artists under his wing who ha
ve since become award winning performers in their own right. He has been an advocate for blues in Australia, believing that blues is an evolving art form. Blues continues to grow and he wants to be a link in that chain responsible for carrying it on.  “Blues is a fundamental stepping stone to all music that came after it and we now get to borrow back from it, from what blues helped to create...and find a new way to perform it”.

Enjoy an evening of pure blues gold with Lloyd Spiegel at Horizon Stage on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

“Lloyd Spiegel...guitar magic and great stories. This show is value for money! Go, be amazed!”

- Terry Seguin, CBC

“....he has a unique ability to hold an audience to the end of a performance. Thoroughly entertaining."

- Stevie Connor, Blues and Roots Radio

Get Ready to Party with some Brilliant and Badass Country Ladies

Nice Horse Kicks off Horizon Stage’s New Season with Their Hard-Rocking Country Tunes on September 20

Nice Horse is looking forward to blowing off the roof, celebrating girl power, and partying hard at Horizon Stage. When these four bold, brilliant, and badass women perform together they always raise a little hell—and play a little music at the same time. This Alberta-based band is out to turn the tables on the country music world and show the guys that they can rock—and party—just as hard. We’re giving them an extra-great reason to party and have fun when they open Horizon Stage’s 2019-20 Season on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Sure, there are plenty of strong female country artists in Daisy Dukes out there, but try to name another self-contained unit that plays their own instruments and writes songs as potent as the new feminist anthem “Mansplainin”, the roof-raising single “Pony Up”, and the super-catchy new single “Good-Life”. They’ve had their share of surprised reactions as well from people unaccustomed to seeing a rockin’ all-female country band, but they manage to take those in stride with their infectious humour. It’s partly to be expected when you’re breaking new ground, and in some ways the women of Nice Horse see themselves following in the platform-heeled footsteps of the Spice Girls by offering their own version of Girl Power, albeit with a rootsy twist.

There’s plenty of proof of Nice Horse’s talent on their aptly titled full-length debut album, There Goes The Neighborhood (emphasis on the neigh!), produced by Jeff Dalziel (The Washboard Union, Brett Kissel), along with the legendary Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue) on a couple of tracks. The band won the 2018 YYC Music Award for Country Recording of the Year, as well as “Group of the Year” and “Video of the Year” (for “Mansplainin’”) at the 2019 Alberta Country Music Awards (ACMAs). Always spreading cheer and having fun with fans wherever they go, these ladies are also known for their outgoing presence on social media which led to them being nominated for the Interactive Artist or Group of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards in 2018 and 2019

The four members of Nice Horse are Tara McLeod (electric guitar); Brandi Sidoryk (vocals, bass); Katie Rox (vocals, banjo, acoustic guitar); Krista Wodelet (vocals, drums). Their first major tour was as direct support for Canadian icon Tom Cochrane, and they’ve since toured with other bands, including Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and The Washboard Union. Just recently they thrilled audiences in Spain, Monaco, and France on their first European tour.  Additional career-to-date highlights include major festivals such as Big Valley Jamboree, the Calgary Stampede, and Boots & Hearts – always showcasing their signature high-energy live show.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a good time, Nice Horse is more than willing to take you along for the ride. Join them at Horizon Stage on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

FLASH SALE: Back to School - Back to the Stage

It's September and we're celebrating Back to School with a Back to the Stage FLASH SALE for

3 Days Only

(September 4-6)

on tickets for

3 Shows Only

Nice Horse, Lloyd Spiegel, TerZettto

30% OFF

of the base ticket price before fees.

No ticket purchase minimum or maximum but this offer can not be combined with other discount offers.

Promo Code: THREE

Redeemable online and through the City Hall Ticket Centre.

Horizon Stage's Season Bochure is Available One Line

By now we hope that most people have seen a paper version of our 2019-20 Season brochure. 

Did you know that  you can also consult an electronic verions of that same brochure on Horizon Stage's website?

Link to Online Version of Horizon Stage Brochure

If you have not seen a paper version of our brochure and would like to, just call us at the City Hall Ticket Centre (780-962-8995) and we'll pop one in the mail for you.

Tickets are already on sale for all shows and and two - Kenny Hess &  Jimmy Rankin  - are already sold out, so don't wait too long to get your tickets if there's something you know you want to see!

Authentic, Honest, and Engaging Country Music That Speaks to Your Heart

Find Time to Connect with Trevor Panczak at Horizon Stage on April 12 

There’s something authentic and immediately likeable about Trevor Panczak and his music. The Alberta-based award winning country music entertainer writes, interprets, and records songs that speak to one’s heart in a way that is simple and soulful with an appeal to a broad array of music fans. Trevor is as real and honest as you can get. He last performed at Horizon Stage in 2011 and the theatre is happy to welcome him back as the closing artist in their 2018-19 Season on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

With a delivery that is sincere, without lapsing into sentimentality, Trevor’s understated approach relies on a passionate heart that believes in the importance of connection with people through the medium of music – to brighten their day, to get them to think and feel, and to have someone who can express their dreams and desires, heartaches and hard times in a way that is genuine and heartening.

Trevor’s 2017 album, Where I Go To Come Back, is a truly definitive collection of 13 songs that are a perfectly balanced blend of old-school Country storytelling, with the feel and textures of modern recording. Tracks like “For a Girl”, “Cheap Shades” and “Blame it on the Whisky” have easy to connect with lyrics and memorable choruses. His two previous EP’s, 2008’s Roll On, and 2010’s Another Day, Another Dollar, sold over 25,000 copies between them.

In recent years, Trevor’s reputation for superior showmanship and sheer entertainment value has seen him sharing the stage with the likes of legendary country acts such as Zac Brown Band, Michelle Wright, Keith Urban, Clint Black, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Don Williams, Washboard Union, Brett Kissel and most recently Mark Chesnutt, Kasey Musgraves, and the legendary Willie Nelson.

Trevor is easily one of Southern Alberta’s most respected and beloved country artists. Part of this goes back to his affable charm, the approachability of his personality, and his music. It is also because, from the earliest days of his career, he has given back to his community and province at every opportunity. In recent years he has helped raise over $350,000 for local charities including STARS Air Ambulance, The Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association, Ronald McDonald House, as well as a Red Cross fundraiser for victims of the 2016 Fort McMurray fires. “I just love to do community work and give back to the people who have given so much to me,” he says.

Enjoy a night of candid, compelling, and catchy country music with Trevor Panczak at Horizon Stage on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

Spend a Night Celebrating Emerging Musicians

Meet Four Up-And-Coming Alberta Artists and a Local Juno-Nominee at Horizon Stage on April 9 

The first of its kind at Horizon Stage, the Emerging Artist Showcase featuring Nuela Charles on Tuesday, April 9, will allow you to sample the work of four up-and-coming artists alongside a well-established headliner. Audience members will enjoy short performances by indie-folk singer/songwriter Keltie, local alternative rock trio Hack, and Edmonton-based indie-bluesy-rock band Hewson Grey. Intermission will feature live music in the lobby by Metis fiddler Brianna Lizotte and complimentary desserts. After intermission, Edmonton-based contemporary singer songwriter Nuela Charles and her band will play a 45 minute set featuring music from her Juno-nominated albums.

Keltie is a singer/songwriter from Sherwood Park. Her style is unique and can best be described as alternative with crossovers into folk, roots, & rock. She engages audiences with her authenticity and extraordinary sound. She has won an Edmonton Music Award and was a CBC Searchlight finalist in 2017.

Hack is a small alternative rock band originally out of the Westlock area. They have performed at the Hollywood Jamboree in Jarvie and at Stage North in Slave Lake. For this Emerging Artists Showcase they will share a few upbeat acoustic originals and a couple covers. The members of Hack are Koltan Potts (guitar and lead vocals), Matthew Seskus (guitar), and Curtis Paine (drums).

Hewson Grey has a super-cool vibe that is a complex mesh of indie, alternative, bluesy rock, and ambient psych. Rocking the charts and gaining airplay across Western Canada, highlights from their  last year include performances at K-Days, the Starlite Room, and the Forge on Whyte, headlining Friday night of East Coulee Springfest (2018), and various other festival appearances around Alberta.

Brianna Lizotte is most recognized for her old time fiddling and from performing with the award-winning Red Deer Royals Marching Show Band. Having only taken up the fiddle seven years ago this young Albertan has performed in Western Canada and Europe and received the Rising Star Award from The Alberta Men and Women of Country Music. Brianna is an artist, teacher, and community leader, and is deeply proud of her Metis heritage.

Nuela Charles is an alternative/soul artist from Edmonton who is known for her expressive vocals and captivating stage presence. Nominated for two Juno Awards (2018 & 2019) Nuela has brought her distinct voice to various stages across North America, headlined at the Edmonton Jazz Festival, and opened for Ziggy Marley. The lead single, “Crumbling Down”, from her 2016 album, The Grand Hustle, was on the CBC Radio 2 Top 20 charts for seven weeks. Newer singles, from her 2018 album, Distant Danger, including “Forecast” and “Do It Right”, have recently been receiving a lot of air play on CBC Radio One.

Find some musical gems. Spend the night exploring new music and artists at the Emerging Artist’s Showcase at Horizon Stage on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are an affordable $15 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 through Ticketpro.ca.

Enjoy A Night Filled With Classic Motown Favourites

Krystle Dos Santos will make the Audience Groove at Her Motown Revue Concert at Horizon Stage on March 30

Known for her smoky voice and infectious warmth, Krystle Dos Santos’ concerts are intimate and otherworldly. Taking new music and, mixing it with the old, she creates something undefined and magnificent. An accomplished singer-songwriter and performer, Krystle brings her eclectic style, powerful vocal prowess, and magnetic charm to every performance. In Motown Revue, she pairs original soul music with beloved Motown classics made famous by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and the Supremes. Krystle and her band will have the audience grooving in their seats at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

A graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, Krystle Dos Santos released her self-titled debut, award-winning album in 2008. She was instantly recognized as a force by the Western Canadian Music Awards, winning the Urban Recording of the Year. That same album charted for six weeks on CJSR FM88’s Urban chart and was top ten on 92.5 The X in BC. One of the singles from the album even appeared in an Episode of ABC’s Samantha Who?

Krystle completed her second album in 2011. Femme Fatale, as it was aptly titled, again revealed Dos Santos’ versatility and her ability to capture the audience with an eclectic mix of dance and funk, but always with the soulful jazz vocals for which she was becoming renowned.

With key performances at the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, Whistler International Film Festival, and the Honey Jam Showcase in Toronto, Krystle has had many opportunities to put her live shows on full display. She has performed on stage with Stevie Wonder, in the musical Dreamgirls, and in her own original productions. These days Krystle can be seen performing regularly on stages in Vancouver with The Lovemakers, in Edmonton with the The Black Mambas, and all across Canada. She last performed in Spruce Grove as part of the City’s 2017 Canada Day Celebration in Jubilee Park.

Groove to your favourite Motown songs from the 60s and 70s with Krystle Dos Santos, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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 Tickepro.ca.

Feel the Beat and Get Loopy with RupLoops at Horizon Stage

Interactive Live Looping and Vocal Percussion Artist Takes Families on a Global Journey of Sound And Teaches Kids To Make Their Own Music at Horizon Stage on March 23

RupLoops: The Human Radio is an interactive, live looping performance that uses vocal percussion, rhythmic rhymes, and an arsenal of eclectic instruments from around the globe. Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist and facilitator Rup Sidhu utilizes his diverse skills as a musician to create a pulsating, entertaining, and engaging musical experience that is fun for all ages. A gifted performer, Rup has a deep passion for intercultural work and sounds. His show, The Human Radio, will take you on a journey of sound; exploring anatomy, geography, and culture. Through body percussion and beatboxing, Rup demonstrates and teaches how the human form is a musical instrument. Mixing hip-hop, blues, and bhangra, this hour long concert tunes into themes of home, identity, culture, justice, dignity, and celebration. Bring your whole family to RupLoops: The Human Radio at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. 

Inspired by folk and classical forms of music from around the world, Rup’s musical expressions range from groove oriented hip hop beats, to contemporary fusions of classical ragas, scores for the National Film Board of Canada and remixes of vintage Bollywood tunes, to experimental compositions for dance and theatre productions. Rup has produced fourteen albums with emerging artists and shared stages with Fred Penner, Raffi, Chugge Khan, Rajasthan Josh, Tanya Tagaq, Michael Franti, Shane Koyzan and Delhi2Dublin, to name a few. Performance highlights include the Jaipur Literature Festival (India), Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Aga Khan Museum, World Body Percussion Festival, Globalqurque (USA), Indian Summer Festival, Mehndi, Masala, Musti, Stern Grove Festival (USA), Shambhala Music Festival, Vancouver International Storytelling Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, New Forms Festival, Oregon Country Fair (USA), Fete de la Musique (Germany), and Fusion Festival (Germany). His solo live looping show, RupLoops, has toured to over 300 locations across Canada.

Tickets for Horizon Stage’s Family Matinee, RupLoops: The Human Radio, are $12 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 through Ticketpro.ca. Free pre-show activities will be running in the lobby from 1 - 1:45 p.m.

Also on March 23, before The Human Radio, Rup is facilitating his Raise Your V.O.I.C.E. (Vocalize Our Inner Creative Expressions) Workshop at Horizon Stage from 11:30 a.m.  – 1 p.m. Youth aged 7 - 15 are invited to explore vocal percussion, the art of live looping, and song writing to co-create original music that utilizes each of their voices. Live looping is the live recording, layering, and playback of music created in real time using loop station technology. Rup will also teach the basics of beatboxing and Indian vocal percussion to give them an understanding of what he likes to call the “tongue drum!” Students will create improvised and spontaneous compositions, listening to each other and utilizing everyone’s skills. Then they will write original lyrics about what they care most about in the world; ending the workshop with a brand new song that’s ready to be performed or recorded. Work will be done in both small and large groups. If the children play an instrument, they are encouraged to bring it with them. The cost for RupLoops’ Raise Your V.O.I.C.E. Workshop is $15 per child - registration may be done online or by calling 780-962-8995.  

As an educator, Rup Sidhu has facilitated and taught musical programs in universities, public schools, youth prisons, and communities throughout Canada, USA, UK, and India. He currently leads programs for a variety of not-for profit organizations including the Access to Media Education Society, the Power of Hope, Reel Youth, and the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. He also co-founded Metaphor, a program dedicated to bringing hip hop workshops and performances into schools, detention centers, and rural communities.

Canada’s Ballet Jörgen Presents Coppélia, a Comedy With Love

Toy Story-esque Ballet That Brings A Life-Sized Doll to Life Will Amuse and Delight Audiences of All Ages on March 2

Coppélia is one of the world’s oldest surviving ballets and one of the most performed comedic ballets. It is a daring, bold, playful story about a beautiful life-sized doll who comes to life and the men who fall in love with her. Touring British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba this winter, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen (CBJ) bring their contemporary retelling of this classic fairytale to Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Coppélia takes audiences into the mysterious mind of Dr. Coppélius, a lonely and disillusioned toy maker who wishes he could bring a perfect doll to life to become his perfect wife. He creates Coppélia, a life-sized dancing doll so gorgeous that Nathanael, one of the local villagers, falls madly in love with her. Nathaniel’s spurned sweetheart, Klara, enacts revenge by dressing as the doll and pretending to come to life to punish him.

Emotional and captivating, Coppélia is one of the best balletic representations of fantastical storytelling the world over and is one of CBJ’s most popular family ballets. Told through vibrant choreography, it features a set of large interlocking geometric shapes which are integrated into the production through intricate scene changes.

Choreographed by the award-winning Bengt Jörgen, CBJ’s Artistic Director and CEO, and set to the original score by Leo Delibes, Coppélia is an international co-production with The Hong Kong Ballet. It originally premiered in 2001 and audience members young and old have been thoroughly captivated and delighted by it ever since.

Canada’s Ballet Jörgen is a classical ballet company based in Toronto that aims to make ballet accessible and relevant to 21st century audiences. CBJ likes to tell Canadian stories and always reflect a Canadian identity in their programming. As an added bonus, the company’s local participant program will bring local young dancers from Spruce Grove and surrounding areas to join their professional dancers on stage. The local participant program allows the students (age 14+) the opportunity to experience being part of a professional production while also allowing the company to support the local dance community. 

Bring your family to see Coppélia, a real life Toy Story told through dance, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

Go On a Musical Journey with an Incredible Classical Concert Pianist

Avan Yu will share his stories, inspirations, and extreme musical talent at Horizon Stage on February 25

A musician’s voice mirrors their path through life. Travels, influences, people, and encounters combine to create a unique story. Playing since he was five, and beginning his public career at age 14, Avan Yu has won competitions and awards, performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, and worked with world-renowned conductors and orchestras. In his deeply personal program, Journeys, Avan speaks about his experiences as a pianist, plays milestone pieces from his major performances, and shares music by composers who have shaped his artistic growth. Demonstrating delicate nuances and great technical facilities, Avan is an expressive performer who plays with a passion and freedom rarely seen in someone so young. In a tour coordinated by Prairie Debut, Avan is performing concerts across Saskatchewan and Alberta this winter, stopping at Horizon Stage on Monday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.

One of Canada’s most exciting young pianists, at age 17 Avan Yu became front page news as the youngest competitor ever to win the Canadian Chopin Competition. He achieved international recognition when he triumphed at the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2012, winning First Prize along with nine special awards. He was noticed by Pinchas Zukerman and Bramwell Tovey who invited him to perform with their respective orchestras, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony. Since then, Avan has appeared with Yo-Yo Ma, Rafael Fruehbeck de Burgos, Christian Arming, Juanjo Mena, Johannes Moser, and the Armida Quartet. He has performed at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Philharmonie (Berlin), the Salle Cortot (Paris), and the Sydney Opera House.

From Hong Kong to Vancouver, to living in Berlin, Paris, and now New York, Avan’s destinations are a story of their own. His explorations have shaped both his life and his artistry. His latest recording of Liszt's piano transcriptions of Schubert's Winterreise and Schwanengesang won glowing reviews from critics and fans. Besides playing the piano, Avan has also written for the National Post, he loves studying languages, and in his spare time enjoys experimenting in the kitchen.

Avan Yu: Journeys, promises to evoke amusement and contemplation for audience members, as they delve into the life-story of a remarkable pianist. Don’t miss Avan Yu at Horizon Stage on Monday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $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.

“While he is second to few in the glittering virtuosity of which he is capable at the keyboard, 

there is also – and this is far more important – an ability to probe and reveal 

the inner depths of whatever he plays”

– West Australian