New album remembers friend

A memorial scholarship fundraiser combined with an EP release is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Yardbird Suite.

Former St. Albert resident Beth Portman releases Take a Trip, a four-song tribute EP dedicated to the late Kathryn Kirby, founder of Ramparts Entertainment.

The EP release is also intended as fundraiser for the Kirby Legacy Memorial Award, a scholarship awarded to MacEwan University students enrolled in the arts and cultural management program.

Simply known as “Kirby” to the western Canadian entertainment industry, she was pivotal in helping develop the careers of countless successful performing artists.

She wore many hats – local music promoter, manager, publicist, consultant, critic, fan and most importantly, friend.

“Kirby has been a very supportive person. She was one of the first sound technicians I had. If you were in her hands, you knew you’d sound good. And later when I learned the business side, she was there to help with grant writing. I went to many of her workshops. She was very positive and encouraged me to stick with it,” said Portman.

At the news of Kirby’s illness, a full slate of about 20 top performers including Tacoy Ryde, Jr. Gone Wild, Bobby Cameron and Souljah Fyah banded together for a benefit concert to pay her medical bills.

Dubbed the “Badass Queen of the Edmonton Scene,” Kirby died in September 2014 from cancer. Her passing left a void for Portman and she decided to make a more meaningful contribution to keep Kirby’s name alive.

Portman, a singer-songwriter with six albums to her name, learned the art of grant writing from Kirby. She used monies from her last grant proposal to record Take a Trip, a disc that tells life’s stories and touches on people’s emotions.

Three of the charts are from the highly successful 2014 Edmonton Fringe Festival show Postcards from a Paper Moon.

“Interestingly, I wrote the songs before she passed away. But somehow they work really well as a tribute EP. When I listen to them, they have a new meaning.”

Although Take a Trip is not a concept EP, all the songs use a train or travel as a metaphor for moving onto a new life.

The title track emphasizes not looking back while The Streetcar is about going out in style. My Dear reveals yearning for a loved one while Wanting You Tonight encourages grabbing the moment before it disappears.

The ukulele strumming songstress’ style is a cocktail of acoustic folk, early jazz, swing, blues and bluegrass.

“Our music has a vintage vibe that is upbeat and feel-good. It’s going to be a great evening by also a special celebration to remember a great person in our music community.”