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Out with the old, in with the new

After a quiet holiday season, the Arden theatre is back on its feet with a fresh roster of talent for the new year.
Celtic legends Altan will perform on St. Patrick’s Day.
Celtic legends Altan will perform on St. Patrick’s Day.

After a quiet holiday season, the Arden theatre is back on its feet with a fresh roster of talent for the new year.

Professional programming presenter Caitlin North has steered a course that blends national and international stars, old favourites and fresh faces.

“We were top heavy in the first part. It was a nice eclectic start to the season with a strong representation of the different genres of music and theatre. It was a really nice mix and we are going to continue that,” said North.

Kicking off the second part of the season on Tuesday, Jan. 27 is roots-pop singer-songwriter Marc Cohn. The Grammy Award winning soul man hit the fame charts with Walking in Memphis. His latest album Listening Booth: 1970, an ode to a bygone era, speaks about the transformative and healing power of music.

“I love the concept of his latest album – songs from the ’70s. He’s such a great singer-songwriter. I don’t know if or when he last came to the area, but it’s so great to bring him to the Arden. Although Cohn was a late addition to the roster, only 65 tickets are left.

The last time folk singer-songwriter David Francey performed at the Arden Theatre in 2007, he brought the audience to its feet. With only about 50 tickets left for the Scottish expatriate’s show on Friday, Feb. 6, fans are betting on another great performance.

With a raconteur’s knack for developing instant rapport with audiences, he crafts lean, superb songs laced with witty, wry observations of life. Balancing the musical craftsmanship is a self-deprecating humour.

In 2013, the Juno Award winner released his 11th album, New! So Say We All.

“It’s nice to see a great singer-songwriter like him get the critical acclaim he deserves. His ability to tell a story, whether it’s chatting through a song or between a song, is second to none,” North noted.

After releasing his fifth studio album on March 2014, Royal Wood returns to the Arden for a two-nighter on Feb. 13 and 14. Wood has been compared to Michael BublĂ© and North described his performances as “romantic and so sultry.”

“He is so charming on stage and like David Francey is great at relating to audiences through his storytelling. The level of Royal’s musicality is so easy and pleasing to listen to and it’s an all ages show.”

Comedian Brent Butt was never slated for this year’s roster until a few weeks before Christmas. The Vancouver based actor-standup comic-writer-producer is planning on a mini-tour of Alberta and needed a fill-in night for Wednesday, Feb. 18.

His popularity has expanded from a nationally syndicated TV series, Corner Gas to two feature films – No Clue and Corner Gas: The Movie. Inviting Butt to St. Albert was a no-brainer, said North.

“He has the everyman’s humour and much like Corner Gas, he portrays life in a way we can relate to.”

Fans are agreeing with their wallets. Despite no advertising for this show, only 50 tickets are left.

Immediately following on Thursday, Feb. 19 is John McEuen and John Carter Cash’s great project Will the Circle Be Unbroken: A Tribute to the Carter Family.

Back in 1972 the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with McEuen as guitar-fiddle master, recorded their flagship release Will the Circle Be Unbroken with an elite group of country-bluegrass music legends – “Mother” Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Merle Travis and Earle Scruggs.

For the 30th anniversary of this classic American album in 2012, McEuen and Cash joined forces to recreate that magical time period through a multi-media show that features historic photos, personal narratives and musical gems from the past.

“This is a show that I’m really excited about. It’s a project I grew up listening to – traditional country and bluegrass. Here we have one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash, carrying the torch to honour the legacy.”

Les Yeux Noirs return to the Arden for an appearance on Friday, Feb. 27 after a six-year absence. Based in France, this energizing duo plays equal parts gypsy and Klezmer with plenty of jazz-rock mixed in.

“It will be nice to have them back. I’ve never seen their show, but from the staff I’ve been told they put on an electrifying show.”

This season North opted to go on a limb and risk a new style of show – Sing-a-long-a Grease booked for Friday, March 8. Judging by ticket sales – only 45 are left – the experiment is a success.

Guests are encouraged to dress in their favourite Grease character costumes and join in a fun, interactive evening of dancing and singing along to the lyrics shown on the screen.

“It’s campy, but it’s also an opportunity to dress up and be part of the show, and people will be getting fun gag gifts that will make the experience even more fun.”

Delhi 2 Dublin, one of Canada’s most-talked about bands, is making strong statements with their world blend of Bhangara, Celtic, dub reggae and electronica.

“I’ve been watching them for eight years and just lately they’ve been noticed. Now they’re everywhere and they do really well in the Edmonton area. They’ve not played at the Arden before especially since they’re known as a dance band.”

The Vancouver-based five-piece is slated to perform in St. Albert on Saturday, March 7. Only 14 tickets are left for the nearly sold out show.

“This is a great opportunity for younger people who can’t see them in clubs to see them put on a high energy show.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, North welcomes Altan, one of Ireland’s Celtic legends. With its commitment to historical accuracy, the group is renowned for its spellbinding instrumental prowess.

“They are one of Ireland’s great traditional groups and it’s so exciting to have them on St. Patrick’s Day for a real party.”

In 2014 when CBC comedienne Mary Walsh appeared as the headline artist at the Canoe Theatre Festival, she was an instant hit as the warrior princess in Dancing with Rage.

That star power remains undiminished as the Arden box office only has three individual tickets left for sale for her Saturday, March 21 show.

“She’s not doing the show she did at the Canoe Theatre Festival. She’s doing snippets of all her characters.”

Closing the professional series on Friday, April 17 is MonkeyJunk, one of the country’s high-octane blues rock trios. Based in Ottawa, MonkeyJunk combines a hybrid of greasy rock’n’roll, swamp blues and uptown funk.

“They are one of the hottest bands in Canadian blues. We’ve been trying to get them for a couple of years and it was great their schedule worked out. They are a great close for the season and they have a lot of fan support.”

The Arden is also presenting Queen of the Snow, a family theatrical presentation on Sunday, Feb. 15 and a preschool concert on Wednesday, March 4 with children’s entertainer Mary Lambert.

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