Arden Theatre organizers are serious about exposing people of all ages to the cultural richness of theatre and concerts. If music lovers cannot attend an evening show, why not present an afternoon matinee series?
Professional programming presenter Caitlin North and her team must be doing something right because the matinee series’ attendance is growing and receiving positive comments.
This year, North has booked a lively three-part cycle that speaks to the Prairies’ deep musical roots.
Every show is booked for a 2 p.m. time slot at the more intimate St. Albert Community Hall on Perron Street. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Arden box office at 780-459-1542 or www.ticketmaster.ca.
Kayla & Matt Hotte
Bluegrass/countryTuesday, Oct. 23
Nothing quite compares to the unspoken connection siblings have when they perform together. For Kayla and Matt Hotte, who played together since elementary school, their musicianship is the upshot of growing up in a family with deep roots in country, bluegrass and Canadian old-time music.
Born and raised in Ardrossan, the Hotte siblings came together after trying out their sound on individual projects. Today, they play a high-calibre, burn-up-the-stage bluegrass music.
Both are multi-instrumentalists. But when playing as a duo, Kayla strums the guitar and Matt gets a workout playing mandolin and fiddle.
“They are very proficient at what they do. They nail that country sound. They have played so long together they’ve learned to do a great job and seem to read each other’s mind,” said North.
“This audience likes the nostalgic sound and this brother and sister duo will do well.”
Back Porch Swing
Country/SwingThursday, Dec. 6
Longtime St. Albert residents Jim and Penny Malmberg are a husband-and-wife team that has fronted Back Porch Swing since 2003.
The foursome, also including fiddler Cam Neufeld and bass player Kevin Jacobson, write their own songs noted for humorous lyrics, tight harmonies and hot licks.
Their palette is a mashup of old-time swing, folk, bluegrass and jazz, and the band has refined its style performing throughout the region and across Western Canada.
The foursome has played intimate house concerts and bars to larger events such as Stony Plain’s Blueberry Bluegrass Festival and Nevada’s Burning Man.
“They’ve been around a number of years and we’re finally pleased to showcase them. They have a singular throwback sound – a gypsy jazz, swing and blues mix. They’ve pulled from a lot of resources and they do a great job,” North said.
Celtara
Celtic RootsTuesday, Feb. 19
Celtara is one of those spirited bands that kept Celtic music thriving in the region for close to 15 years. Although the five-piece band does not perform as often as some groups, its stature is undiminished.
Their Celtic sound blends effortlessly with Canadiana and is full of rich arrangements, full-bodied vocals and dazzling musicianship.
Steven Bell (piano/accordion), Bonnie Gregory (fiddle/harp), Andreas Illig (guitar/bouzouki), Tami Cooper (flute), and Mark Arnison (percussion) fuse their talents elegantly and have released the ensemble’s third recording, Seven Long Years.
“They are very accomplished musicians and they draw from different influences – Norway, Ireland, Brittany and Scotland to spread their message.”
