The Mayor’s Gala last September did more than honour artists. It suddenly presented Back Porch Swing, one of the invited entertainers, with a fresh fan base.
In past years, due to limited venues Penny Malmberg (vocals/guitar), Jim Malmberg (vocals/mandolin), Cam Neufeld (fiddle) and Kevin Jacobson (upright bass) rarely played their acoustic bluegrass sound in St. Albert.
Suddenly they had a new audience and locals were asking them where their next in-town gig was. With La Crema Caffe, formerly St. Thomas CafĂ©, as the new kid on the block, Penny Malmberg proposed setting up a night of “cow jazz,” a blend of old-time swing, folk, blues, jazz and bluegrass.
The result is a two-night performance at La Crema this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. “It’s going to be an intimate evening. We’re looking for a listening crowd as opposed to a bar crowd, people that like hearing original lyrics,” said Malmberg.
The foursome are playing a mix of original and covers — well known classics such as Bruce Springsteen’s Fire with a bluegrass feel and Johnny Mercer’s I’m An Old Cowhand rockin’ to a western swing.
Tickets are $15. There is limited seating and reservations are recommended. Call 780-458-8225.
For more information visit www.backporchswing.ca
Tomorrow night the Citadel Theatre’s traditional A Christmas Carol opens for a three-week run that ends Wednesday, Dec. 23.
Based on the Charles Dickens story and adapted by Tom Wood, this time-honoured cautionary tale of Scrooge’s redemption celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Only Wood remains as an original performer. However, founding artistic director of St. Albert Children’s Theatre (SACT) Maralyn Ryan comes a close second having performed the role of Mrs. Dilber, his long-suffering housekeeper, for nine years.
And daughter Kate Ryan, has in recent years taken on the role of Mrs. Cratchit, a strong, gracious gentlewoman who is the core of support for her impoverished family.
Staging his Citadel debut as Mr. Denham is David MacInnis, a former local martial arts instructor. Former SACT musical director Ryan Sigurdson is also making his debut as musical director.
Tickets are $60-$90. Call 780-425-1820 or visit www.citadeltheatre.com.
APTN TV recently renewed a 13-episode contract for Caution: May Contain Nuts — Season 2. Last year the groundbreaking half-hour sketch comedy series with multi-racial comics produced by Edmonton’s Mosaic Entertainment, took aboriginal television by storm.
A significant part of the team has St. Albert roots. Producer Camille Beaudoin, and head writer and star Matt Alden both grew up here. Comedian Jeff Halaby owns Lacombe Spirits.
For three days, from Dec. 2 to 4, Nuts is filming some funny, at times inappropriate, off-the-cuff scenes and sketches and require a live audience. Beaudoin is filming a series of snippets that will be edited at a later date. “Every bit and piece will stand on its own. It’s like Saturday Night Live.”
Standby tickets are $15 and are available at 780-425-1757 or by visiting www.tixonthesquare.ca.
The Morinville-based Canyon Rose Outfit, formerly known as Louie on 3, is giving a preview of their new album at The Starlite Room this coming Friday at 9 p.m.
Opening for this foursome, composed of Christian Maslyk, Justin Perkins, Matt Harrison and Jesse Gauthier, is St. Albert’s own Lions For Sheep.
The Starlite Room is located at 10030 – 102 Street. Tickets at the door are $12.
