Fasten your seatbelts: St. Albert is in for an entertainment ride in 2023 the likes of which haven’t been seen in a couple of years.
Our economy is on the brink of a recession and cutbacks are hitting every sector. Yet, as the entertainment industry braces for more challenges in the coming year and some of the big players are freaking out, independent artists and performers of every stripe are promoting their work with growing signs of hope.
Several St. Albert venues are betting this is the year where last-minute cancellations are a thing of the past. The new year is just around the corner and already 27 shows are booked as concerts, theatre productions, films and two festivals. And as the year progresses, more will rack up the billboards.
Check out 2023’s assorted chocolate box of fun.
January
• Ellen Doty – Saturday, Jan. 14 – The Arden Theatre’s first presentation of 2023 takes place at City Arts Centre featuring Ellen Doty, a jazz singer-songwriter and storyteller who blends pop, soul, folk and indie into her music.
• Gordie Tentrees – Tuesday, Jan. 17 – The Arden Theatre welcomes singularly powerful singer-songwriter, Gordie Tentrees. He writes and sings about his checkered life from foster child to five-time Golden Glove boxer, to schoolteacher, youth worker and parent.
• Reel Monday Movie Nights – Monday, Jan. 23 – The Friends of the Library fundraiser returns to the Arden with its first release of the new year. The Phantom of the Open is a comedy about a golfer who shot the worst round in the British Open Golf Championship’s history.
• Beppie – Wednesday, Jan. 25 – A first-time artist performing at City Arts Space, Beppie creates multi-genre family music that particularly appeals to preschool children.
• Tanika Charles and STORRY – Jan. 28 – Soul and R&B powerhouse Tanika Charles and singer-songwriter-producer STORRY debut their music at the Arden singing about pivotal experiences in their lives.
• Aaron Goodvin and Hailey Benedict – Sunday, Jan. 29 – St. Albert-raised and Nashville-based Aaron Goodvin teams up with St. Albert singer-songwriter Hailey Benedict for a true hometown country show at the Arden.
February
• St. Crispin’s Chamber Ensemble – Feb. 4 – St. Albert Chamber Music Society presents three musicians from the ensemble: Don Ross, clarinet; Ariane Lowry, piano and Viktoria Grynenko, violin at St. Albert United Church.
• A Dinosaur Tale – Thursday, Feb. 9 – In this children’s puppet show, dinosaurs sneak back to Earth through a mysterious wormhole and it’s up to two adventurous Grade 8 students to send them home. This afternoon show is presented at the Arden.
• The Dangers of VD (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 9-25 – Love and romance or the lack of it float through this two-act production hosted by St. Albert Dinner Theatre at Kinsmen Banquet Hall.
• Reel Monday Movie Nights – After Yang – Monday, Feb. 13 – The cinematic series returns with After Yang, a tale of a man who discovers life is passing him by when his daughter’s beloved companion, an android named Yang, malfunctions. The series screens at the Arden Theatre.
• Lúnasa – Friday, Feb. 17 – Lúnasa, appreciated by Arden audiences, it is one of the most in-demand instrumental Celtic bands in the world, known for their innovative arrangements and bass-driven grooves.
• Alex Cuba – Friday, Feb. 24 – Known for his Latin grooves across North America, the British Columbia-based singer-songwriter returns to the Arden performing a smooth blend of soul, funk, jazz and pop styles.
March
• In My Body by Crazy Smooth – Saturday, March 4 – B-Boy Crazy Smooth swings by the Arden with one of the hip-hop culture’s most physically demanding and visually appealing shows of the season.
• JP Cormier and Dave Gunning – Friday, March 10 – Friends for 20 years, JP Cormier and Dave Gunning are showcasing their first album together at the Arden.
• Reel Monday Movie Nights – Hidden Life – Monday, March 20 – Based on real events, Hidden Life features the story of Austrian peasant farmer Franz Jägerstätter who refused to fight for the Nazis and was faced with the threat of execution.
• The Slocan Ramblers – Friday, March 24 – The Slocan Ramblers' energetic roots sound springs from the banjo, mandolin and guitar. The trio acoustic roots show will be featured at City Arts Space.
• High Level Trio – Sunday, March 26 – In its second concert of the New Year, St. Albert Chamber Music Society presents Ewald Cheung, violin; Ethan Filner, viola, and Julie Hereish, cello at St. Albert United Church.
• Legends Show – Wednesday, March 29 – This tribute show brings Elvis, Roy Orbison, Connie Francis and Motown to the Arden.
• MonkeyJunk – Friday, March 31 – This Ottawa-based trio are masters of swampy blues and rock. As legendary ambassadors of blues, lead guitarist Tony D, lead vocalist Steve Marriner and drummer Matt Sobb are back at the Arden.
April
• Cat & Nat Unfiltered Live – Sunday, April 2 – Cat and Nat are bestselling authors, friends and mothers touring a live comedy show with a stop at the Arden.
• St. Albert Rotary Music Festival – April 3-15 at various venues
• Suzie Vinnick, Lloyd Spiegel and Charlie A’court – Saturday, April 8 – Multi-award-winning Canadians Suzie Vinnick and Charlie A’court join Australian Lloyd Spiegel at the Arden for a kitchen-style party.
• Reel Monday Movie Nights – Monday, April 17 – TBA
• The Odd Couple – April 18-29 – At Kinsmen Banquet Hall, St. Albert Dinner Theatre mounts this Neil Simon comedy about two opposite personalities, one a cigar-chomping slob and the other a clean freak, sharing an apartment.
• Louisiana Hayride Show – Tuesday, April 18 – Louisiana Hayride is back at the Arden for its annual Western Canadian tour.
May
• Frank Ho and Joachim Segger – Saturday, May 6 – Two of the region’s most accomplished musicians, violinist Frank Ho and pianist Joachim Segger are special guests of St. Albert Chamber Music Society. The perform at St. Albert United Church.
June
• International Children’s Festival of the Arts – June 1-4 – Downtown St. Albert
