Thursday, October 26, 2017

Three Incredible Baritone Voices Sing Broadway, Pop, and Classical Music

Bravura will thrill their audience at Horizon Stage on November 12


The men of Bravura have voices that will give you goosebumps. Scorchingly passionate, frequently funny, and always exciting, their baritones blend together hitting all of the right notes. Formed in 2010 in Toronto, Bravura consists of three of Canada’s finest leading men from the musical theatre, jazz, and opera worlds - James Levesque, George Masswohl, and Curtis Sullivan. With a repertoire that ranges from classic Broadway and pop, to Italian folk and classical favourites, audiences will recognize songs like “Imagine”, “She’s Always a Woman”, “O Sole Mio”, “Danny Boy” and many others. This November Bravura will be performing in concert halls across British Columbia and they will make only one stop in Alberta at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Sunday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. 

James Levesque is an enthralling, diverse artist who is equally at home performing in concert, at the opera, or in musical theatre. He has been singing internationally for 15 years, with such esteemed companies as the Canadian Opera Company, Calgary Opera, and the Aldeburgh Festival. James’ sonorous baritone is the bright centre that blends Bravura’s rich sound.

George Masswohl has wowed audiences across North America in leading roles with the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, Canadian Stage, Livent, Vancouver’s Arts Club, as well as on- and off-Broadway. George’s bari-tenor range takes Bravura’s repertoire to exciting heights.

Curtis Sullivan brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of Broadway musicals and opera. He is a star of Toronto’s esteemed Opera Atelier, Canadian Stage, and the Stratford Festival. Curtis’ bass-baritone gives Bravura a solid base of passion and gravitas.

Get set for a night of glorious music sung by the men of Bravura at Horizon Stage on Sunday, November 12. 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.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Charlie A’Court Brings His Powerful and Soulful Blues to Spruce Grove

Expect dynamic vocals and incredible guitar riffs at Horizon Stage on November 3


Canadian singer-songwriter-guitarist Charlie A’Court is a proverbial force to be reckoned with. Planted at the crossroads between roots and soul, Charlie’s mighty voice, fierce guitar work, and contemporary songwriting skills have earned him an international following and a host of awards and accolades for his five solo albums. Fueled by emotion and a desire for delivering powerful music, Charlie’s gutsy vocals and colourful guitar playing have been satisfying long-time fans and attracting new fans for 15 years. Charlie has toured Alberta before and he’s happy to be back and making a stop at Horizon Stage on Friday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Born with the gift of voice, Charlie A’Court grew up in rural Nova Scotia where he spent his youth learning to play guitar. He immersed himself in his father’s vinyl record collection and discovered singers like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. Over the years his influences grew to include contemporary artists such as Jonny Lang, Colin James, John Mayer and Joe Bonamassa.

Charlie started performing with his father on local stages before he was of legal age, regularly wowing the audience with his soulful vocals and well-honed guitar skills. Fueled by that experience, and the fire that comes from finding and following one’s passion, he began touring and recording on his own; releasing his debut CD, Colour Me Gone in 2003. That year Charlie swept the Music Nova Scotia Awards, winning Male Artist of the Year, Blues Recording of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year; he also received his first East Coast Music Award nomination for New Artist of the Year. He has since released four more albums, secured another fistful of Music Nova Scotia awards, and lined his mantle with five East Coast Music Awards in categories from Blues Recording to Pop Recording to R&B/Soul Recording, along the way. A’Court has also received national recognition, receiving 2014 Maple Blues Award nominations for both Male Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year.

Arguably most revered for his dynamic, engaging live performance, Charlie A’Court tours non-stop throughout Canada and his adopted second home of Australia, with forays to the USA, UK, and Europe. He has headlined performances at multiple festivals, including the Stan Rogers Folk Festival and the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, and has shared the stage with James Cotton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Harry Manx, Martin Sexton, Delbert McClinton, Colin James, Dan Aykroyd and Jimmie Vaughan, among many others.

Get set for a night filled with smooth and soulful blues and roots music by Charlie A’Court on November 3. 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'Court slides into his role as smooth soul man with ease… Singing high and mighty, rising into falsetto, getting into the groove, or slaying us with tenderness, he's a singing tour-de-force.”
Bob Mersereau, CBC

Thursday, October 05, 2017

Three Classic Sci-Fi Movies Combined into One Hilarious Stage Show

Horizon Stage Presents One Man Star Wars Trilogy on Wednesday, October 25 


Officially endorsed by Lucasfilm, One Man Star Wars Trilogy has been performed for over a million Star Wars fans from London’s West End to Dubai, and from Broadway to the Sydney Opera House. Canadian actor Charles Ross’ energetic and extremely entertaining performance condenses the three original films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, into one hilarious production. Ross single-handedly plays all of the characters - from Luke Skywalker to R2-D2 to Jabba the Hutt - with spot-on vocal impressions. He also sings the music, flies the ships, and fights the battles. This highly energetic romp is perfect for die-hard Star Wars super-fans but it will also amuse casual sci-fi consumers at Horizon Stage on Wednesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Best known as the mastermind behind the infamous One Man Star Wars Trilogy and One Man Lord of the Rings, and more recently One Man Pride and Prejudice, Charles Ross is a Canadian actor who has followed his heart and his career from one side of the continent to the other. Since first performing One Man Star Wars Trilogy in Toronto in 2001, Ross has brought countless audiences, both large and small, to their feet with his surprisingly unique shows that he describes as “the successful result of a ‘misspent’ youth”.

Word of Ross' one of a kind talent has spread like wildfire and he has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Today Show, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. His off-Broadway debut in August 2005 was a smashing success with critics raving about the incredible intensity that he brings to his work. To mark the release of Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Charles was honored to perform at Lucasfilm's official movie release convention, Celebration 3. Even the likes of Vin Diesel and Sir Ian McKellan have taken in his performances and have given him rave reviews.

So grab your lightsaber and board the Millennium Falcon before the Death Star explodes. If you’re a Star Wars fan yourself, or if you know or love a Star Wars fan, you cannot miss One Man Star Wars Trilogy.  The 75 minute play is suitable for anyone aged six to Yoda and includes a post-show talk-back with Charles Ross. Tickets are $30 for Adults and $25 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.

Attention Star Wars Geeks, Don’t Miss This Show!
- The Fourth Walsh (Chicago Theatre Reviewer)

What I truly admired about this show is that it played with my imagination.”
- George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong (Entertainment blog)

"Off-the-wall fun."
- Chicago Tribune