Horizon Stage Hosts an Old Fashioned Hall Party with Union Duke

Patron Appreciation Event at Elks Hall Promises to be a Night of Great Music, Dancing, and Fun

We’re taking Horizon Stage “On the Road” for an old fashioned hall party where we’ll also be celebrating and appreciating YOU, our patrons, at the beautiful and recently renovated Elks Hall. The evening will include door prizes, complimentary appetizers, a sneak peek at some of Horizon Stage’s 2017/18 season, and performances by two fantastic artists - opening act VISSIA and headliner Union Duke. It all gets started at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 28.

Like a musical locomotive hurtling ‘round the bend, Union Duke is a folk quintet from Toronto that’s taking the music world by storm - one captivating performance at a time. Touring across Canada they have left a vast trail of amazement in their wake, topping the must-see lists at countless festivals. With banjos rambling, guitars wailing, and superb melodies, an infectious magnetism emanates from every stage they’ve had the privilege to grace. Their enthusiasm is infectious, they leave all of their audiences smiling, and they’re looking forward to energizing everyone at Elks Hall!

Matt Warry-Smith (percussion/vocals), Ethan Smith (guitar/vocals), Will Staunton (bass/vocals), Rob McLaren (guitar/vocals) and Jim McDonald (strings/vocals) have been making a commotion in one way or another since they were kids. Years of making music together have brought them to this: a heartbreak of twang and a boot shake of rock and roll. Union Duke is two fifths city, two fifths country, and one fifth whiskey.

For their third record, Golden Days, Union Duke recorded live off the floor to capture the raw, joyful energy of their concerts. Then they brought in Grammy award-winning mix engineer Mark Lawson to bring the mixes to life. Golden Days will take you back to your warmest memories: nights by the lake, passing a bottle around the fire, or singing with your friends at the top of your lungs.

Warming up the crowd at Elks Hall will be local musician VISSIA. As a former member of the Stony Plain based trio The Vissia Sisters, VISSIA’s music studies began at an early age with piano, voice, and guitar, which culminated in a growing interest toward songwriting. Now living in Edmonton she has been building an audience around Canadian coffee shops, music clubs, and festival stages since her solo debut in 2011. She has had the pleasure of sharing stages with artists Gretchen Peters, Del Barber, Lindi Ortega, Russel de Carle, and Matt Anderson.

VISSIA’s skillful, honest songwriting and powerful voice will grab your ears and punch you in the heart. In 2016 she became the voice and face of ATB Financial’s “ATB Listens” campaign and kicked off 2017 with a five-week residency at the renowned Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She will be releasing her next full-length album in September 2017.

Don’t miss out! Join us for a night of dancing and merriment at Elks Hall on Friday, April 28. Doors open at 8 p.m., VISSIA performs at 8:15 p.m. and then Union Duke hits the stage at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 for all ages and seating will be general admission at tables. Tickets can 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 - only a limited number of tickets are still available. Elks Hall is located at 400 Diamond Ave.