When Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître hit on the idea of doing a modern ballet based on 14 Elton John songs, he had a hit in the making.
When Love Lies Bleeding opened in May 2010, it blew audiences away with its unforgettable flamboyance and mercurial dancing that melded so well with Elton’s easily identifiable pop sound.
Back by popular demand, Love Lies Bleeding returns to the Jube May 10 through 12 starring Yukichi Hattori and Kelley McKinlay, two of Alberta Ballet’s male principals.
The story line examines the cult of celebrity where entertainers are catapulted into the heavens, worshipped like gods and then torn apart for public consumption.
The hero is a fan who gets a chance to live out his rock fantasies. He achieves success and feels the triumph of stardom, but is tripped up by hard work and drug use. He must confront his homosexuality and hits a low point and almost dies before finding a way to face himself.
Love Lies Bleeding is a visual feast with 14 scene changes, five elaborate piano sets, video montages, 150 extravagant costumes, and 60 custom-made wigs.
And as for the dancing, expect to see ballet, jazz, street dance, circus style aerials and even a dance on roller blades.
Tickets are $18 to $102. Call 780-428-6839 or purchase online at: www.albertaballet.com.
Perhaps one of the most cherished concerts that Mill Creek Colliery band has hosted for years is the annual Salute to the Proms coming this Saturday at Robertson-Wesley United Church.
Salute to the Proms is a direct descendant of the venerable tradition of British band music. This is the 28-piece brass band’s 10th anniversary season. David Hoyt directs the Proms.
This light program offers a variety of crowd pleasers including Where Eagles Sing, Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Royal Parks, Hawaii Five-O and Clog Dance.
Several centre stage soloists are the Royal Canadian Artillery Band’s Cam Martin on soprano cornet performing Gershwin’s Summertime, Paul Buckingham on E-flat bass performing Carnival for Bass and Chris Diaper on euphonium playing Introduction, Theme and Variations.
The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 to $18. Children 12 and under are free. Advance tickets are at 780-420-1757 or online: www.tixonthesquare.ca or at the door.
Dr. Debra Cairns, conductor for i Coristi Chamber Choir closes the season with Spirits on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
The concert explores the essence of soul and the supernatural through music by Beethoven, Brahms, Berlioz, Saint-Saens as well as several Canadian composers.
Accompanying the choir is cellist Josephine van Lier and organist Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht.
Advance tickets are $15 to $20 and are available at 780-420-1757 or online: www.tixonthesquare.ca Donations for the Edmonton Food Bank are accepted.
