The cheeky beat of Young Empires is back with a vengeance as they start a tour to promote The Gates, their first full-length album.
Just released on Sept. 4, The Gates blends together head-bobbing electro-pop and avant-garde gospel vibes that creates a modernist Motown feel.
The Gates is a follow-up to Young Empires’ electro-house infused debut EP, Wake All My Youth, which was embraced worldwide after its 2012 release.
Its success was so steep, it kept the band touring non-stop and left little time for recording until this past year.
The group will kick off a Canadian tour next week from Montreal to Victoria with a stop in Edmonton at the Starlite Room on Dec. 8. Touring with Young Empires is The Dragonettes.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50. Visit starliteroom.ca for more information.
There is still time to nominate your favourite artist for the 2016 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts Awards.
Every award recipient receives an original work of art by a St. Albert artist. In addition, all recipients, with the exception of Corporate Patron of the Arts, receive a $1,000 monetary award. This is one of the largest annual awards given to local artists.
There are eight awards categories. For the creators, they include youth artist, emerging artist, established artist, lifetime achievement in the arts and excellence in arts teaching.
And for individuals that strongly support the arts without being artists, the award categories are arts leadership, community arts group and corporate patron of the arts.
Individuals, groups and businesses can self-nominate as well as recommend others.
The deadline is Friday, Nov. 27. Nomination forms are available online at http://stalbert.ca/experience/arts-and-culture/mayors-celebration-of-the-arts-awards/
The 2016 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts takes place Thursday, March 3 at the Enjoy Centre.
Grad students at Paul Kane High are experimenting with a new fundraiser. They are mounting Curse of the Cobra’s Kiss, a 90-minute dinner theatre murder mystery to generate money for their 2016 graduation.
“They (grad students) were looking for something different,” said vice-principal Joanne Dodd. “In past years we had the Grad Dance Marathon where they would collect sponsorships and dance for 12 hours starting on Friday night and Saturday.”
“But the numbers were declining. Some of the kids had jobs or other activities. So the students wanted to try a weeknight event and they also wanted to change it up to something a bit more exciting.”
Drama teacher Lisa Whitson is directing a cast of 25 Grade 12 actors while Red Seal Chef Randy Kozak and six students are whipping up a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. In this school participatory event, the Grade 12 food studies students are also creating a one-of-a-kind dessert buffet.
The interactive play takes place in the 1920s after the discovery of King Rottenlux’s tomb. Assembled at Professor Tommy Towers estate is a cast of scheming characters.
A sampling includes his wife, a jealous secretary, a good-for-nothing nephew, his feuding girlfriends, a ruthless Hollywood director, two vengeful movie starlets, a mysterious fortune-teller and rival reporters.
Before long the wealthy professor meets his demise when a cobra injects him with poison. The ghost of King Rottenlux carries off a second person and a third victim dies before she can reveal a secret.
Fortunately super-sleuth Jessica Maples with the help of the great detective Hercules Porcchop uncovers the hidden secrets.
Curse of the Cobra’s Kiss is on Wednesday, Nov. 25 starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $30. They are available at Paul Kane High’s general office or by calling 780-459-4405.
