Local dancer Paige Tirs just hit the jackpot competing in the 2013 Young & Free Dance Challenge.
In the online dance competition hosted by Servus Credit Union, the St. Albert tapper took home the first-place award of $3,000.
“When they told me I almost didn’t believe it. It was a surreal moment,” said the soft-spoken dancer still in apparent disbelief several days after the win.
Her video entry was a four-minute tap dance of original choreography filmed at Dance Alberta Studio.
Web world fans are the judges, registering votes for their favourite performance. The number of votes was not released, though Tirs made an on-the-spot estimation.
“I was amazed at how many friends I truly have. The amount of feedback I received was staggering. At least 400 people voted and that’s not including my outside sources, family and friends.”
This win makes Tirs a two-time recipient of the challenge aimed at dancers 17 to 25. Last year the St. Albert resident was awarded the $1,000 second place prize.
Tirs plans to invest the funds in training this summer at Greece’s Tap Motif workshop and with master tapper Heather Cornell of New York.
“I’m truly blessed to have so much support from family and friends that care enough to vote for me and support my dance career. Thank you to everyone who voted for me and helped my dream of going.”
It’s not just the weather that’s pumping out the blues. This coming Tuesday, the familiar faces of Crawdad Canterra and Ronnie Rault join the regulars at Mark Ammar’s Moosehead Barsnbands Open Stage.
Known for his wailing harmonica and laid-back vocals, Canterra is synonymous with the fertile ground of southern blues. And Rault has been a mainstay on the Canadian blues scene for over 35 years.
Both are standing members of Front Porch Review and Ammar is pleased to have these local blues celebrities back for a second visit.
The open jam at LB’s Pub starts at 9 p.m. No cover.
Tickets go on sale for the 15th annual Edmonton Blues Festival held at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park from August 16 to 18.
This year’s hot lineup features 13 of the world’s best acts from Russia, Holland, the United Kingdom and North American.
Digging into the well of blues talent, organizers have pulled together a lineup that embraces the full mix – old and new, legends and newbies, guitarists, piano players, harmonica players and singers.
Friday night features Russian-born guitarist Arsen Shomakov, Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience as well as James Cotton with Roomful of Blues.
Saturday brings in John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band, Big Peter Van Der Pluijm, Matt Schofield, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Café R&B and festival veterans The Mannish Boys.
Continuing into Sunday is Eden Brent, Monkeyjunk, North Mississippi All Stars and Little Charlie Baty and Mark Hummel.
Single Day tickets range from $45 to $50. Weekend passes are from $90 to $105. Go online to www.ticketmaster.ca or online at 1-855-985-5000.
Playwright Stewart Lemoine’s The Exquisite Hour is undergoing a limited revival after a six-year absence from the local scene.
One of Lemoine’s most requested plays, this charming two-hander is a thoughtful, provocative, humorous and slightly romantic delight with an unlikely twosome.
Inspired by 19th century poet Paul Verlaine’s poem L’Heure Esquise, Lemoine creates a magical experience between two strangers who learn that by sharing knowledge they share the same desire – to love and be loved.
Jeff Haslam reprises the role of the staid Mr. Teale while Belinda Cornish is the mysterious Mrs. Darimont.
The Exquisite Hour opened Thursday and runs until Saturday, April 20 at the Varscona Theatre. Tickets range from $23 to $25. There is a special pay-what-you-can performance on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. To reserve call 780-433-3399, mailbox 1.
