Now enjoying their celebratory fifth season, organizers at Morinville Community Cultural Centre have a pretty good idea of what audiences like.
Every season, a crop of new shows surfaces on the horizon. This year, events and culture coordinator Ryan Telfer is on a mission to program a blend of new and old with a twist.
Following up on patron suggestions, he’s booked four main-stage acts and three family shows. They combine everything from country, Celtic and ABBA to Canadian hits, a magic show and the weirdness of children's entertainer Al Simmons.
“I wanted to bring in diverse acts that I thought the community would respond to,” Telfer said.
Launching the mainstage series is The Great Canadian Songbook on Saturday, Nov. 10. This show highlights some of Canada’s greatest songs from both past and present.
The show’s five performers, Ken Lavigne, Diyet and Tiller’s Folly combine stories, music and projections to create a stylistic overview of Canada’s most loved hits.
“They sing music by Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Anne Murray, Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell and Barenaked Ladies,” Telfer noted.
In the new year on Feb. 1, Chase Padgett’s Nashville Hurricane comes riding into town pickin’ his blazing guitar.
“It’s a one-man show about an unknown country legend nicknamed Nashville Hurricane. It takes place during the Buck Rogers era and it gives Chase the opportunity to play all the characters.”
Nashville Hurricane, a.k.a. Henry Waltrip goes on a wild ride from his humble trailer park beginnings with his white trash mamma to crazy gigs on the road with his blues-playing mentor, Tyrone.
Following that on March 22 is Nova Scotia’s powerhouse Còig, one of today’s most exciting Celtic bands. With the release of their latest album, Rove, the foursome are drawing rave reviews. The band has been recognized with a 2018 East Coast Music Award, a Juno Award nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award.
“This band of two men and two women is so talented. I have East Coast relatives and I’ve come to really appreciate Còig,” Telfer said.
Closing the mainstage series on April 5 is ABRA Cadabra, an ABBA tribute show complete with flashy costumes, bell-bottom pants and knee-high boots.
“ABBA is timeless across the generations. Young kids to seniors love it. The music is straightforward, poppy music. I float all my ideas around and this one had the largest response.”
The Family Series opens with Will’s Jams on Saturday, Nov. 3. Will Stroet is a Juno-nominated singer-songwriter, educator and CBC kids TV star. Through word-play and catchy choruses, Stroet inspires kids to be active, healthy and creative.
“He’s about to launch a new record and this will be a multi-media show with a band.”
On Jan. 26, 2019, Manitoba children’s entertainer Al Simmons makes a heartfelt stop in Morinville nearly one year after his workshop went up in flames, caused by faulty electrical wiring.
The fire destroyed most of the performers' costumes and one-of-a-kind props specially made during decades in show business. But Simmons' Manitoba community rallied, raising more than $50,000 to rebuild the prop collection.
“He is one of our favourite people working in the industry. He’s so inventive and creative and I really wanted to bring him back. He’ll be bringing a variety of tools and props and other things,” Telfer said.
Illusionists Ted and Marion Outerbridge are hosting the Family Series’ grand finale on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The couple’s new show – Magical Odyssey – transports audiences to a Victorian parlour of mysteries where an incredible shrinking woman grows smaller and a dancing handkerchief waltzes into the audience.
“In their previous visit, they performed one of our best attended and most talked about shows.
Single and family tickets are available. Call 780-939-7839 or visit www.ticketpros.ca. Morinville Cultural Centre is located at 9502 – 100 Ave.
