Saturday, August 30, 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

Horizon Stage Renovations - Week 5

The new reinforced concrete pad has been poured under the seats, and the framing of the new, larger office, has begun. This new office will allow both technicians to work in the office at the same time.

Our old marquee sign out front has been removed, and will be replaced with a brand new LED sign. This sign will allow us to have more information, and add updates more frequently.

This is a photo of the ceiling in the lobby. The heating units need to be moved to allow this area of the ceiling to be higher than before. Also, the new piping is a brand new sprinkler system for the lobby.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Horizon Stage Renovations - Week 4

For week 4, demolition has been completed, and major construction begins.

Now that the floor has been demolished and cleaned out, the ground has been leveled, and new conduit run so that the reinforced concrete base can be poured.



In this photo, the welders are welding new beams into the ceiling so that the catwalks can be suspended from the grid. These catwalks will speed up the lighting hang and focus aspects of the show mounting process.



The dressing rooms have begun to be rewired, for new lighting fixtures, and outlets.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Horizon Stage’s 2008/2009 Season Goes on Sale August 18th

The Theatre’s 26th Season includes lots of great shows for a variety of tastes.

Once again, Horizon Stage has programmed a diverse and exciting season of artists. From the comedy of Lorne Elliott, to the legendary Ian Tyson, to classic children’s entertainers Sharon and Bram, the Spruce Grove theatre always has something for everyone.

Because the theatre will still be under construction, Horizon Stage will present The Banff Centre’s 75th Anniversary Alberta Tour on September 27th at St Augustine’s Parkland Anglican Church. Classical music lovers will enjoy Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by one of the Banff Centre’s grand pianos and a selection of string instruments.

Comedian Lorne Elliott will be the first artist to perform on the newly renovated stage on November 1st, followed by acoustic guitarists Brian Gore, Andy Sheppard, Dale Kavanagh and Cecilia Zabala in International Guitar Night, The Original Caste, who are best known for their song One Tin Soldier, and The Horizon Players production of The Three Musketeers.

Celtic and Christmas music enthusiasts will enjoy La Nef’s A Celtic Christmas in December. Horizon Stage’s Family Matinee Series also opens that month with Bouge de là’s Like the Five Fingers on Your Hand, a remarkable movement piece all about the five senses.

2009 starts off right with Alberta favourite Ian Tyson performing 5 concerts in January, followed by DuffleBag Theatre’s Robin Hood and country music duet Ennis.

February is jam-packed with blues legend Jim Byrnes; gypsy jazz musicians, The Marc Atkinson Trio; Ballet Jörgen Canada’s Romeo and Juliet on Valentine’s Day; Green Thumb Theatre’s Cranked; Canadian a cappella super-group The Nylons; and The Mud Bay Jugglers.

Eagles fans will be thrilled to see cover band Hotel California in March, while historical theatre lovers and anyone interested in the Great Depression will enjoy the incredibly moving 10 Lost Years by Barry Broadfoot. The Horizon Players will present the family friendly musical Disney’s 101 Dalmatians at the end of March.

In April, Jazz aficionados will clamor to see the great Oliver Jones, and waltz and polka devotees will enjoy the always popular Emeralds. Closing the season will be the much-loved children’s musicians Sharon and Bram performing two matinee concerts on April 18th.

Horizon Stage ticket prices range from $10 to $40, depending on the show. Patrons can build their own season packages and receive discounts of 10 – 20%. Family Matinee Packages are also available. All Horizon Stage evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. Visit horizonstage.com for more detailed information, Family Matinee show times, and links to all of our artists’ web sites. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 18th through the Horizon Stage Box Office and Ticketmaster. Call 780-962-8995 or visit the Box Office in person at 315 Jespersen Avenue.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Horizon Stage Renovations - Week 3

The demolition phase continues on through week 3:

As we are replacing the previous collapsible seating, the old concrete base needed to be ripped up in order to replace it with a reinforced concrete floor appropriate for the weight of the new permanent fixed concrete risers.

As a bonus, removing the floor in this area also gave us the chance to replace some of the conduit and wiring running through the area.

The lobby has been completely gutted, right down to the concrete floor, and the exposed structure and mechanical in the ceiling.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Horizon Stage Renovations - Week 2

I have heard from a lot of people that have seen photos of the current Horizon Stage Renovation that it is a lot more extensive than they thought it would be. Our motto right now: 'there's no turning back now,' as these photos go to show. The three major areas of renovation include:



The Stage
Here the seating is gone, the risers they were seating on nothing but a pile of rubble on the thrust of the stage. The flooring has also begun to be ripped up.




The Lobby
The first thing patrons see when they enter our facility is the lobby. Suffering from years of high traffic and an aged appearance, our beloved lobby is getting a much needed facelift.



The Dressing Rooms
Though most patrons have never seen our dressing rooms, they too have suffered from years of use. Being a joint space, used by both our renters and the SGCHS drama department, the dressing rooms were in dire need of a little renovation.

As you can see in these photos, there is no turning back now. We look forward to the exciting future that these new renovations will bring us.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Horizon Stage Renovations - Week 1

The last show of the 07/08 season started at 7:30PM on June 21, and renovations to the stage began at 8:00AM on June 22.


A ten person crew including Don Waddle and myself moved every light, curtain, cable, and piece of electronics out of the building.

A group of Stagelighters also worked in the lobby, getting it ready for the demolition phase.

On June 23, the contractors moved in and began the demolition phase. In the first week we saw everyone's favorite seating leave the building.

This site will continue to be updated with photos and commentary about the progress of the on-going Horizon Stage Renovation.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Spend Canada Day with the City of Spruce Grove

Fill your July 1st with Street Performers, Fabulous Free Concerts and More!

After kicking off on June 30th, Spruce Grove’s Canada Day and Street Performers Festival will shift into high gear on Tuesday, July 1st. Bright and early at 8 a.m. the Sea Cadets will start flipping flapjacks for hungry festival goers on the Composite High School’s Sports Field. Purchase a delicious pancake breakfast for just a toonie.

Children of all ages should plan to be on site between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to decorate themselves for the Canada Day Kids Parade. This year the city is replacing the bike parade with a walking parade. Participants will be encouraged to dress in this year’s theme, My Canada Today! and to decorate themselves with the help of our Summer in the City staff and volunteers. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. and wind itself around the festival site.

At noon a colour party and pipe band will escort our nation’s flag and Festival dignitaries to the mainstage where Spruce Grove Mayor, Stuart Houston, will lead an official Canada Day ceremony. Watch the raising of the flag while enjoying the sweet sounds of O Canada as performed by Samantha and Emily Schultz. Then, help yourself to a piece of birthday cake.

Street Performers from around the world will take over the festival field at 12:30 p.m. Be prepared to be amazed and astounded by the likes of Magic Brian, The English Gents, The Yo-Yo People, hip-hop dancers Freshly Squeezed, and ukulele rock-and-roll super-group The Be Arthurs. Rovers on site will include Edmonton’s Andrea House and Darrin Hagen and Calgary’s Green Fools. Also starting at 12:30, the REMAX KidZone will feature free play in the sandpit, performances, workshops, face painters, and crafts.

The Street Performers will wrap their shows up between 5 and 5:30 p.m. but don’t plan on heading home just yet. Food vendors will be on site serving hamburgers, hot dogs and other yummy treats to take care of your dinner needs while other vendors will offer beautiful clothing and other items for sale. Grown-ups can enjoy a cold beer in the Kinsmen Beverage tent after 5 p.m. and children will be able to enjoy the bouncy tents in the REMAX KidZone until 6 o’clock. Young Edmontonian Samantha Schultz will grace the Festival mainstage again at 6:30 p.m. for an hour-long concert, followed by the City’s annual Awards of Excellence presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Calgary-based bluegrass band Widow Maker will take to the stage at 8 p.m. Widow Maker’s potent music is rooted deep in old-school bluegrass, country, blues, rockabilly, and gospel of the '40s, '50s & '60s. Craig Korth, also of Jerusalem Ridge, will drive the band hard as they sing about lovin', leavin', cheatin', and hurtin'.

Then, dressed in their trademark tailored black suits and ties, Festival headliners, Paper Lions (formerly The Chucky Danger Band), will put on an energetic pop/rock show from 9:30 – 11 p.m. Often compared to The Beatles in their prime, these four young East Coast musicians fantastic tunes and loads of charisma have earned them both critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Ending July 1st with a bang will be the spectacular RONA fireworks at 11 o’clock.

Because parking will be very limited this year, a free ETS Park and Ride will bring festival patrons to and from the site between 9 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Park and Ride stops will include Greystone Centennial Middle School and Living Waters Christian Academy and downtown Spruce Grove, across from Central Park. Although the City highly recommends biking to the Festival, bikes are not permitted on site for safety reasons. Bike racks will be provided for everyone who rides to the event. Pets are not permitted on site, so please leave your furry friends at home. But, bring yourself and all of your human pals to the Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival at Spruce Grove Composite High School on Tuesday, July 1st, we guarantee that you’ll have a great time!

Visit www.sprucegrove.org for more details on the entire Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival

Monday, June 09, 2008

Start your Canada Day Party Early

Party in the Park with a BBQ, Street Performers and the Buccaneers on Monday, June 30th

The Eighth Annual Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival will kick off on Monday, June 30th at 5 p.m. Party-goers should plan to come down to the festival site between 5 and 7 for a wonderful Community BBQ. For just $5 you will feast on Beef on a Bun in a large crusty roll, homemade baked beans, a choice of two salads, pickles, deli-style condiments, and a drink. All food will be cooked and served in a tent at the north end of Spruce Grove Composite High School’s Sports Field.

At 7 p.m., this year’s gang of Street Performers will gather on stage for their annual Vaudeville Variety Show. Popular artists from the Edmonton and Spruce Grove Street Performers Festivals will pool their talents and create a fun and family-friendly show. There will be clowns, jugglers, musicians and more as the audience gets a sneak preview of Tuesday’s Street Performers Festival with the whole cast in one place, at one time. This show is guaranteed to include lots of surprises and plenty of laughs. Bring your loonies, toonies and bills for a generous pass the hat.

Calgary band, The Buccaneers, will then take the stage at 9:30 p.m. for an all-out Dance in The Park. Thrilled to be visiting Spruce Grove again, the Buccaneers were last seen at the Street Performers Festival in 2004 and at Horizon Stage in 2005, they have also performed at local schools. Prairie pirates to the core, The Buccaneers perform Aggressive Canadian Folk Music with a Celtic flair. Full of energy, vigour, and spirit, they play everything from their own original compositions, to traditional east coast shanties, to covers of 80s and 90s tunes. If you like Stan Rogers, The Irish Rovers, Great Big Sea or Captain Tractor, you’ll love The Buccaneers

Vendors will be on site all evening to satisfy your post-BBQ snacking and shopping needs, and rovers and face painters will be busy keeping everyone entertained before the mainstage shows. So bring your friends and family down to the Spruce Grove Composite High School Sports Field at 1000 Calahoo Road after work on Monday, June 30th and start celebrating your love of Canada early!

Visit www.sprucegrove.org for details on the entire Spruce Grove Canada Day and Street Performers Festival

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

The Little Mermaid

Third Perfomance Added & Audition Information
1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Family Matinees Sold Out on April 26
7 p.m. Show Added

Due to popular demand, Horizon Stage has added a third public performance of Missoula Children’s Theatre’s The Little Mermaid at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. The production, which will star 50 to 60 local children, is based on a new adaptation of the classic fairy tale.

Suitable for all ages, this Little Mermaid is the story of Celia who lives deep in the waters of the Sassafras Sea. She and her three sisters are allowed to visit the World Above and learn the secrets of dry land on their sixteenth birthdays. The production is full of wonderful music, exciting plot surprises, and plenty of humour. There is even a handsome Prince Charming.

Auditions for The Little Mermaid will be held on Monday, April 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Horizon Stage. They are open to youth aged 5 to 18 years and no previous acting experience is necessary. Auditioners should arrive precisely at 4 p.m. and wear clothing that is easy to move in. No preparation in advance is required and no appointments are necessary. Rehearsals will begin immediately after the auditions on April 21 and will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Additional rehearsals will then be held Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. Not all cast members will be called for all rehearsals; a final schedule will be announced immediately after the show is cast. Backstage jobs such as Assistant Director and Assistant Stage Manager are also available.

Limited tickets for the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Little Mermaid shows have been held for purchase by the families of the children who are cast. Any remaining seats will be made available to the general public on Thursday, April 24th. However, tickets for the 7 p.m. show are now on sale for just $12 per person regardless of age. Talk about affordable family-friendly entertainment! Call the Horizon Stage Box Office at 962-8995 to order or for more information.

“I’ve not seen a better program to develop a sense of pride so quickly.”
Fargo, ND

“This is an outstanding experience for our children to enjoy. It includes fun, hard work, educational endeavors, memorization, discipline, routines, scheduling, interpersonal relations, sense of community and guaranteed success. Hooray!"

Las Vegas, NV

Be sure to visit www.mctinc.org and www.horizonstage.com

Special thanks to the sponsors of this event: The Alberta Foundation For The Arts, Canadian Heritage and Grove Pontiac GMC

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

The Horizon Players Present: Man of La Mancha

A Musical Play by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh Lyrics by Joe Darion
Originally Directed on Broadway by Albert Marre

Directed by Richard Winnick
Music Directed by Sally Hunt
Choreography by Joshua Semchuk

April 3 - 5 & 10 - 12, 2008
Horizon Stage, Spruce Grove
1001 Calahoo Road

"To dream the Impossible Dream!"

Spruce Grove- The Horizon Players presents the classic musical Man of La Mancha starting April 3 at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove. This unique modern musical features the acting, directing and design talents of amateur theatre artists from Spruce, Edmonton and many places in between.

Called before the Spanish Inquisition, the poet, Miguel de Cervantes, finds himself pleading his case before a band of thieves and murderers. He uses the members of this "court" to tell the tale of an old country gentleman who insists on seeing the world, not as it really is, but as it should be. And so is born one of the great heroes of world literature: Don Quixote. This Tony Award-winning musical will sweep you into a world where anyone can be chivalrous and noble as long as they truly believe.

Man of La Mancha runs April 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, at the Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove, 1001 Calahoo Road, only 20 minutes from Edmonton. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly. For tickets please call the Horizon Stage Box Office at 962.8995.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Audience Feedback - March 2008

Did you see Connie Kaldor on March 1, The Dust Poets on March 8, or Sean Watson on March 29? Please tell us your thoughts, good or bad, regarding any or all of these artists and/or the theatre.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Horizon Stage - 25th Anniversary Gala

Selected Photos from Horizon Stage's 25th Anniversary Gala Reception on Saturday, March 1, 2008...

Monday, February 18, 2008

Audience Feedback: February 2008

Did you see Genticorum on Feb. 2, Patricia O'Callaghan on Feb. 9, Hungry Hill on Feb. 14. or Jack Grunsky on Feb. 16? Please tell us your thoughts, good or bad, regarding any or all of these artists and/or the theatre.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Horizon Stage Celebrates it's 25th Birthday

It was 25 years ago today that Horizon Stage opened it's doors to its first audience. What a wonderful 25 years they have been!
Horizon Stage's 25th Anniversary Gala on March 1, with opening act Asani and headliner Connie Kaldor, has been sold out for months. But, we would still love to celebrate with and hear from YOU! Please feel free to leave a comment and wish your favourite Up Close and Personal theater Happy Birthday!

Monday, February 04, 2008

Treat Your Sweetheart to Bluegrass on Valentine's Day

Hungry Hill will heat up Horizon Stage
on February 14th

Hungry Hill is a contemporary bluegrass band with a focus on original material. Based in northwestern Canada, these five seasoned musicians create a fresh sound while staying true to the roots of bluegrass and old-time music. Their lush vocal harmonies and instrumentals resonate around one microphone in the acoustic style of traditional bluegrass. So get ready to settle into your seat, snuggle with your significant other, tap your toes and enjoy a bluegrass Valentine’s Day treat with Hungry Hill
at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 14th.

Formed in 2003 at the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Hungry Hill’s five members include Jenny Lester (vocals, fiddle and guitar), Bob Hamilton (vocals and mandolin), Mark Thibeaut (resophonic guitar, rhythm guitar and vocals), Ross Nickerson (banjo) and Nadine Landry (bass and vocals). The band released its first self-titled CD in the summer of 2005. Their second CD, Ride, was just released
in January of 2008.

If you enjoy original bluegrass compositions that already feel like classics, don’t miss Hungry Hill Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 14th at 7:30 p.m. All ladies in the audience will receive a free Valentines Day carnation. Tickets are just $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.
Call the Horizon Stage Box Office at 962-8995 to order yours today!

“Hungry Hill… can stand shoulder to shoulder with any bluegrass
… on the market today”
Penguin Eggs

“…bluegrass quintet Hungry Hill played an hours’ worth of brilliant standards…”
Calgary Folk Festival

“…we have been given a rare and precious gift that comes to us in the form of a talented and beautiful songstress, Jenny Lester.”
Bluegrass Canada

“Hungry Hill were enjoyed by all… the crowd was with them from the first song and responded enthusiastically to the entire performance.”
Newell Concert Series


Be sure to visit
www.hungry-hill.com and www.horizonstage.com
To listen to excerpts from Hungry Hill’s new CD visit

Special thanks to the sponsors of this event: The Alberta Foundation For The Arts, Canadian Heritage, Royal Inn Express, The Edmonton Journal, CKUA - Live From Alberta Stages and Birdsell Grant Gardner Morck Barristers & Solicitors

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

CKUA Air Dates for Shows recorded at Horizon Stage

CKUA has recorded 3 performances at Horizon Stage for their Live From Alberta Stage series this season, April Verch & Strung, Arrogant Worms and Winter Harp. They will also be recording Hungry Hill on February 14th.
So far we have air dates for two of those concerts...

Arrogant Worms - Friday, February 16, 8 - 9 p.m.
April Verch & Strung - Friday, February 23, 8 - 9 p.m.

You can find CKUA on your Edmonton radio dial at 580 am and 94.9 fm.

http://www.ckua.org/

Monday, January 28, 2008

Horizon Stage & The Spruce Grove Library Team Up

See children’s entertainer Jack Grunsky for free at the Melcor Cultural Centre on Feb 15th
The Spruce Grove Public Library will re-open its doors at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15th for a free 7:00 p.m. performance by Juno Award-winning children’s musician, Jack Grunsky. Jack’s unique concerts incorporate various cultures, rhythms, melodies and instrumentation. The winner of several Parents’ Choice Awards for his outstanding recordings and approach to teaching kids through music, Mr. Grunsky is a creative force, whose songs have found their way into homes, classrooms and hearts around the world.

Jack Grunsky’s Family Matinee performance at Horizon Stage on February 16th is already sold out but the theatre wanted to provide the wider community an opportunity to enjoy this wonderful artist. A partnership with the library, and a free concert in their program room, became the perfect solution.

Pre-show cookies, juice and crafts for the kids will be available from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Jack Grunsky’s concert will be approximately 45 minutes long, and fans are encouraged to stay afterwards and meet him. Jack’s CDs will be available for purchase before and after the performance, and the library will have a desk in the children’s section open to provide library information, membership assistance and check-out services.
So bring your kids, grandkids, parents and grandparents to the Spruce Grove Library for a family-friendly evening of music and entertainment with Jack Grunsky. Because this concert is free, no tickets are required. The library is located in the Melcor Cultural Centre at #35 – 5th Avenue on the east side of King Street Mall. Call the Horizon Stage Box Office at 962-8995 or the Spruce Grove Library at 962-4423 for more information.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Aaron Lines Concert Added

Horizon Stage is thrilled to have added a perfomace by country music star Aaron Lines to our schedule of events!

Concert Date: Thursday, March 27 – 7:30 p.m.
On Sale Date: Tuesday, January 22 - 10:00 am
Tickets: $30 Adults, $25 Students & Seniors

Canadian country music star Aaron Lines is all about family these days. The Fort McMurray native moved back to Canada a year ago, released his fourth CD last June and became a proud daddy in December. With 12 top five singles on Canadian country radio, including the most played songs of 2005 and 2006, and 5 number one videos, Aaron just keeps on getting better! The winner of two CCMA Awards, this two-time Juno nominee has toured with the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Leanne Rimes, Phil Vassar and Paul Brandt. www.aaronlines.com