Stereos plugged in
Stereos, the latest pop-rock phenomena to hit the charts, returns to Edmonton Monday, June 15 to perform at the Starlite Room with Hope Atlantic, Radio For Help, and Jay and the Lovebirds.
Now living in Toronto, the former Edmonton band, of which Bellerose graduate Pat Kordyback is lead singer, competed on MuchMusic’s talent show DisBand.
During the reality show, they wowed industry insiders and were tapped to sign a record deal with Universal Canada. Immediately upon release, Stereos’ first single, Summer Girl, skyrocketed to the top.
From May 28 to June 4, Summer Girl was the No. 1 tune on iTunes selling more than 10,000 downloads. The fivesome holds the honour of being the first local band to reach iTunes’ top charts.
Tickets for the Starlite performance are $12 and doors open at 6 p.m. For tickets, check out Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca.
A little bit of rock, a bit of pop and a funky mix of edge. DeSousa Drive just released their first CD, Rockstar College, and they’re steering their way to The Taphouse on Friday, June 12.
The foursome, fronted by lead singer Vic De Sousa, a St. Albert resident, opens for central Alberta rockers Annunaki. On its website at www.myspace.com/annunakinet, the five-piece band lists alcohol, drugs, media, sex, loud noises and The Beatles as major influences.
DeSousa Drive kicks off at 10:30 p.m. Cover charge is $5.
Catalyst Theatre’s Nevermore: The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe is the clear frontrunner for Sterling Award nominations. The edgy company scooped up nine nominations including four for artistic director Jonathan Christenson as outstanding new playwright, outstanding director, outstanding musical director and outstanding score that he shares with Wade Staples.
Christenson was unavailable for comment. The former St. Albert resident is touring Nevermore at Ottawa’s Magnetic North and Toronto’s Luminato festivals.
Myla Southward too is on a roll. The St. Albert Children’s Theatre drama instructor received a nomination for her performance in the supporting role of Northern Light Theatre’s production of Some Girl(s). She also played the leading role of Sara in Shadow Theatre’s Grace, lauded as an outstanding production.
John Kirkpatrick, one of the original St. Albert Children’s Theatre actors, received a nod in a supporting role for his sensitive portrayal of Cassius in Citadel Theatre’s production of Julius Caesar.
But Morinville playwright Marty Chan’s musical, The Forbidden Phoenix, was favoured with only two nominations for outstanding musical production and choreography. Staged at the Citadel, it presented a new vision of theatre that blended the western concept of musicals with stylized Chinese acting.
Without Chan’s vision, the production would have been impossible. Yet he was not nominated. “I’m never surprised when I’m not nominated. I’ve sat on juries and every jury has different sensibilities. Of course, you’re thrilled when your play matches their sensibilities. What really matters is I got it out there.”
The Toronto production of Phoenix was instead acclaimed for five Dora awards — outstanding musical, director, male performer, female performer and choreography.
The Sterling Awards are held at Mayfield Theatre on Monday, June 22. Tickets are $47. Call 780-483-4051.
