St. Albert Ballet Academy performs the city’s only annual full-length ballet at the Arden Theatre this coming weekend.
Artistic director Sophia Leong has choreographed a version of Carnival of the Animals inspired by the music of French Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns. Saint-Saëns originally felt the 14-movement work was too frivolous and would likely harm his reputation as a serious composer.
He only allowed it to be played after his death and it has since become one of his more popular works. It is a particular favourite of music teachers and young children.
Not one to shy away from big numbers, Leong has cast about 100 ballet students in this production. This tale is set at a young girl’s birthday party as friends bring her stuffed animals as gifts. “The young girl is spoilt and is annoyed with these presents as she feels she is too old for stuffed animals. When she falls asleep, she dreams of all the animals,” wrote Leong in an email to the Gazette.
This coming Friday the ballet starts at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday there is a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $20 and are available at 780-459-1542 or at www.ticketmaster.ca.
The sixth annual Boonstock Music Festival just announced its 2011 line-up. This year organizers are headlining the four-day event running June 29 to July 2 with A Perfect Circle, Sublime in Rome and Three Days Grace.
American rock super group A Perfect Circle ended their hiatus in 2008 and became officially active last September. The retooled group under lead vocalist Maynard James Keenan and guitarist Billy Howerdel have no specific plans for an album, however they are writing new singles and will have top bill on Saturday night.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder is Sublime with Rome, at one time known as Sublime, one of California’s top ska punk-reggae bands. Their success was short-lived when front man Bradley Nowell died of a drug overdose. However the two remaining members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh have added Rome Ramirez to the trio and are branching out onto the festival circuit.
Canadian faves Three Days Grace have top bill Friday night along with openers Seether and Five Finger Death Punch.
Producer Colin Kobza also highlights nostalgic favourites Trooper and Credence Clearwater Revisited billed with younger local talent All Else Fails and DRT.
The festival is at Gibbons, about a 30-minute drive northeast of St. Albert. A variety of festival and camping passes are available online at www.boonstock.ca.
It may be cool outside, but Winter Light organizers are planning the first ever Meltdown this coming Friday at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium’s east porch and the south lobby.
This new festival meshes music, media projects and blazing fires and features the work of award-winning media artist Lindsay McIntyre and installation artist Dylan Toymaker. McIntyre creates a wall of light using dozens of old-school film projectors while Toymaker innovates with light installation that transforms space.
Local indie music stars The Low Flying Planes add extra juice to the evening, performing their original blend of foot-stomping, heart-felt folk music. And DJ River Valley Girl, a.k.a. Lori Gwryliuk spins a few hot tunes.
Donations of warm winter clothing — socks, mittens, parkas, scarves, toques, snow pants, jackets and coats — will be gratefully accepted.
