MCCC breaks ground with a high-energy new season

The Morinville Community Cultural Centre website had been teasing viewers throughout the summer with tidbits on the upcoming season.

However, the suspense climaxed last Thursday as cultural manager Laurie Stalker announced a three-tier lineup that was very successful last year: main stage, kids shows and family events.

The 10 shows introduce everything from rock-pop tribute artists and country concerts to physical theatre, puppetry and fairy tale adventures.

“This season we have three years under our belt and we have a better idea of what people in Morinville would like to see. We are providing what our patrons like with a variety of new things. Plus we’re starting to get promoters who are calling us and want to come here,” said Stalker.

The two-part Family Series kicks off the season with a dual performance by Booming Tree Taiko and Dallas Arcand Jr. on September 27. By melding Japanese drumming and MĂ©tis hoop dancing, this event celebrates the strength, power and stamina of the human form.

Morinville is a selected host site for Alberta Culture Days and this extravaganza is the weekend showstopper.

“I thought their high-energy performance would be perfect to kick-off the season,” Stalker said. Booming Tree will also host a public workshop on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon that is open to all ages.

The second performance in the Family Series is the acoustic singing group Hoja slated for a performance on Nov. 28.

“They will kick off Lite Up the Night Festival. This year we’re also offering a Taste of Morinville except on a smaller scale. People can zip straight from work, eat and enjoy the concert.”

The four-part Kids Series flips into high gear with an appearance by clown aviator Major Conrad Flapps. The Major, a self-described “human airplane” has brought laughter to the stage for 25 years with his exuberant zany antics.

“He’s extremely silly. He’s plain old goofy. He’s energetic and when he talks to kids it’s not in a patronizing way. He’s very interactive and involves the audience.”

Heading into the new year on Jan. 24, Vancouver’s Monster Theatre introduces The Little Prince, an imaginative adaptation of Antoine de Saint-ExupĂ©ry’s novella.

“It combines puppetry, masks, music and theatre magic and is appropriate for K to seven.”

On the heels of last year’s highly successful Wizard of Oz, Missoula Children’s Theatre returns with The Little Mermaid on Feb. 28.

“Their little red truck is going to roll into town with everything except the actors. We’ll hold auditions for the town kids and get 50 to 60 kids rehearsing for a week before it’s capped off with a performance. I don’t think we’ve ever had a show that created more buzz.”

Edmonton’s Kaybridge Puppets concludes the Kids Series on April 11 with an appearance of The Frog Prince followed by a puppetry workshop.

“I like the opportunity for added time with an artist. A workshop extends the event beyond the show and Kate Ryan (Kaybridge founder) is great with kids.”

The four Main Stage shows targeted to a slightly older crowd and are a blend of dinner shows and concerts.

The first dinner show is Face to Face, an Elton John/Billy Joel Tribute on Oct. 24. The Las Vegas based Joey Riedel and Michael John join forces for a night of legendary hit songs, energetic performances, outrageous costumes and rock ‘n roll at its best.

“They’re fun, fun, fun and pretty authentic sounding and they have a strong resemblance to Elton and Billy Joel.”

A second dinner show is booked for April 25 with Ain’t No Rodeo, a band that sets the house on fire with great country and rock tunes from Johnny Cash to Garth Brooks and Tragically Hip to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Jimmy Rankin of the famed East Coast Rankin family stops by for a straight-ahead concert on Feb. 12. The Celtic-country-folk artist is touring his new release and sixth solo album Back Road to Paradise.

“He’s going to be doing the new album primarily, but he’ll also include some of his older hits and his Celtic hits.”

And finally, Tomás Kubinek, a self-promoted “certified lunatic and master of the impossible” arrives March 20 delivering a cocktail of physical comedy, slapstick, magic tricks, storytelling and improvised stand-up.

“He’s part comic and part contortionist. He will do things like flip himself upside down and drink a glass of wine. He’s wild and wacky. He loves what he does, and he’s absolutely hilarious.”

Stalker enjoys the launch of new season in part to see audience reaction.

“I have every confidence these will be excellent shows. You’re practically guaranteed a great night out. If you’re from the region, the theatre is on your backdoor. It’s live and quite a different experience.”

Tickets are available in person at the cultural centre, at 780-420-1757 or online at tixonthesquare.ca.