So far this year, the 2025 Plaza Series has been an exciting showcase of both local talent and Canadian voices.
The eclectic state-of-the-arts lineup is in large part due to Ben Sures, one of Arden Theatre’s professional programming presenters.
Sures has brought in local acts such as The Jivin’ Belles, the Myhre Brothers, and St. Albert’s Luc Gauthier as well as Toronto’s Bel and Quinn featuring their Caribbean vibe.
So far, Sures notes that the free concerts are attracting between 325 to 375 fans eager to hear new and different music.
“There’s such a community vibe. Lots of residents are coming and they’re happy to be here. They set up their chairs in the plaza and enjoy an evening of good music. We are definitely bringing something special to St. Albert, and I would argue that this is the best concert series in Alberta,” said Sures.
And there’s more to come. On Thursday, July 31 Manitoba’s Leaf Rapids and the United Kingdom’s Sam Brookes are hitting the stage. Leaf Rapids is a foursome composed of two roots couples; songwriter Keri Latimer and bassist Devin Latimer as well as Joanna Miller (drums) and Chris Dunn (guitar).
“We’re a four-piece with a lush sound and our songs are storytelling songs with amazing guitar riffs, beautiful harmonies and delightful banter,” said songwriter Keri Latimer.
The Juno Award-winning quartet released their third album, Velvet Paintings, in 2024 to critical acclaim.
“I was trying to decipher this new crazy world through compassion and finding positive feelings through a different lens,” said Latimer who poured all her emotions and observations into the project.
Sam Brookes, Leaf Rapids' long-time transatlantic friend who was a sonic hit at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, shares the evening spotlight. Brookes is a multi-talented singer with musical theatre and jazz credits and Sures describes him as an “indie folk rock artist with a powerful, pure voice.”
The following week on Aug. 7, St. Albert’s own Cristian De La Luna will perform La Historia Y al Ritmo (The Story and the Rhythm). De La Luna’s last album was released in January 2023, and he is hoping to release more as-yet-untitled works next year.
“It’s nice to put an album out. It makes a bigger statement. You can focus on a market. It’s nice to have that market, but to stay relevant you need to produce singles as often as you can,” said De La Luna.
Another reason why the former Colombian singer hasn’t released a stack of singles is that he’s been working on a book about his father, Norberto Murillo, and how the businessman was unjustly imprisoned in the 1989 assassination of presidential contendor Luis Carlos Galán. In 2016, General Miguel Maza Marquez was jailed for 30 years in Colombia for his involvement in the assassination.
“My father survived by little miracles. But the book isn’t just about him. It’s about how my mother couldn’t care for a big family and we had to move to my aunt and uncle’s place on the poor side of Bogota,” said De La Luna. He is writing the book in Spanish and plans to approach a Colombian publisher.
During the Plaza Series, the singer will sing songs from his album Que Pasará?. Accompanying him is Nathan Ouellette (drums), Audrey Ochoa (trombone) and Dan Churchill (bass).
The free event starts at 7 p.m. on St. Albert Place Plaza. Bring camping chairs and sunscreen. Snacks and drinks can be purchased on site.
