The 28th annual Elizabeth Haynes Sterling Awards, otherwise known as the Sterling Awards, just released the nomination list. There are some predicted winners and hopefully a few surprises to keep things interesting.
For those unfamiliar with the awards, there are 24 different categories with three additional special achievement presentations.
St. Albert connected artists delivered an excellent showing. Catalyst Theatre’s Vigilante, artistic director Jonathan Christenson’s newest production, picked up eight nominations including outstanding new play.
Kate Ryan, an alumna of St. Albert Children’s Theatre and now artistic director of Plain Jane Theatre received nominations for two plays. Drat! The Cat! scooped two nominations while It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman! received four nods including outstanding Fringe director for Ryan.
This year has been a year of strong growth for Rachel Bowron, St. Albert Children’s Theatre musical director. She was selected for an outstanding Fringe performance by an actress for her role in Plain Jane’s It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman! She also landed the lead female role in the Citadel Theatre’s Avenue Q, now tipped for two awards.
Former resident actor Jenna Dykes-Busby is also acknowledged for her outstanding performance as an actress in a supporting role in The Maggie Tree production of Category E.
One-time Sturgeon County actor Fred Zbryski is up for his outstanding performance in the lead role of Fatboy, an Edmonton Actors Theatre production.
And last but not least Garrett Ross, an alumnus of St. Albert Children’s Theatre, is recognized as an outstanding Fringe performer in It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Superman!
A complete list of awards is available at sterlingawards.com.
The award ceremony takes place Monday, June 22 at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre. Tickets are $65 and are available through the Mayfield box office at 780-483-4051.
It’s taken three months of pushing, but Folk Festival producer Terry Wickham has made public the lineup for the Aug. 6 to 9 event.
Some of the more interesting names include Angus and Julia Stone, a brother-sister folk and blues duo from Australia. The 12-member Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are sure to get chins wagging with their cocktail of roots-rock, folk gospel and psychedelic sounds.
Ireland’s favourite rabble-rouser, SinĂ©ad O’Connor is back as is Lucius, Brooklyn’s five-piece indie folk-pop band. Meanwhile, London’s Laura Marling and Iceland’s folk-pop act Of Monsters and Men are performing inaugural concerts.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 6 at Telus Field. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the ticket lottery cutoff is at 8 a.m.
Non-transferable adult four-day passes are $179 and transferable passes are $209. Single one-day passes are $63 (Thursday/Friday) and $73 (Saturday/Sunday).
Youth four-day passes are $88. Single passes for youth and seniors are $22.
For a complete lineup and ticket info, visit edmontonfolkfestival.org.
