Four strong winds will be blowing through the Arden this September as folk music stars pay tribute to an Alberta legend.
The Arden Theatre announced the lineup for its 2023-2024 season July 27. It’s the 40th such lineup that the theatre has offered since it opened in December 1983.
About 170 guests celebrated the launch at the Arden July 26, said City of St. Albert professional programming presenter Elliott Garnier. Guests enjoyed tours of the Arden by Beth Portman, daughter of Barbara Portman (the Arden’s first artistic director), and the musical talents of Stephanie and Amber Suchy, who performed songs by Jann Arden, k.d. lang, and other famous artists who have graced the theatre’s stage.
Garnier said this season’s lineup of 26 shows was stacked with music, dance, opera, film, comedy, magic, and more, all organized by his predecessor, Caitlin North (who stepped down last June after an 11-year stint with the Arden).
“I’m so proud to be presenting the professional series just in time for the 40th anniversary of the Arden Theatre,” he said.
Country, comedy, and more
The new season kicks off with a tribute concert to Alberta folk legend Ian Tyson on Sept. 23. Entitled The Gift: the Words and Music of Ian Tyson, the show will see a half-dozen of Tyson’s fans and collaborators — including Lethbridge’s John Wort Hannam — celebrate the artist’s 50 years as a folk singer.
Tyson was a Juno award-winning artist from Alberta who died last December at 89. He was perhaps best known for his song Four Strong Winds, which is traditionally played at the end of every Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
“So many of us were heartbroken when Ian passed away last year,” Garnier said.
“He was a Canadian legend whose music influenced countless generations of folk and roots artists.”
Returning to the Arden this season are blues legend Harry Manx (Nov. 9), the high-energy francophone folk outfit Le Vent du Nord (Feb. 16), and The Small Glories (Feb. 23). Country rockers The Dungarees will pay tribute to Blue Rodeo in November, while Juno award-winning musicians The Fretless will cover songs by Steely Dan and Feist in April.
Garnier said theatre fans should check out Bear Grease this October, which sees an all-Indigenous cast from Enoch Cree Nation put a Treaty 6 spin on the 1978 movie musical Grease. February will see performers use English and American Sign Language to tell the tale of a hearing boy’s relationship with his deaf mother in the autobiographical chamber opera Songs My Mother Never Sung Me.
Garnier said he was personally looking forward to This Hour Has 22 Minutes alumni Gary Pearson and Geri Hall joke about the wonders of middle age this October as part of their Middle Raged Sketch Comedy show.
“If you’re over 30, I can guarantee you’re going to find some hilarious relatable moments in this show,” Garnier said.
Tickets for the 2023-2024 season go on sale for donors and multi-buyers Aug. 2 and for the general public Aug. 9. Visit ardentheatre.com for details.
