After decades of performances near and far, the whirlwind returns with its tenth Canadian tour.

Shumka means “whirlwind,” a powerful display of artistry, energy and emotion through dance. Sixty years of performance history has shaped the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers signature dance style. With true respect for their heritage, Shumka continually challenges conventional boundaries to define the experience of Ukraine Canadian dance today.

The Toronto Star called Shumka “Canada’s National Treasure,” and the Globe & Mail compared Shumka’s work to that of Riverdance.

Celebrating Shumka’s legacy as a leading dance company in Canada, SHUMKA 60 – On Tour will feature two works including Echoes of Hopak – a salute to the past through an adaptation of Shumka’s celebrated Classic Hopak – and Shumka’s whimsical Mosquito’s Wedding – a true feast for the eyes and a love story for all ages with a message that… all we need is love.

Founded in 2012, SkirtsAfire Festival is Edmonton’s only theatre and multidisciplinary arts festival featuring women. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, our 10 day festival runs each March at various venues in the heart of Old Strathcona, Downtown, and Alberta Avenue. We present powerful and insightful stories to a diverse audience that is hungry to be moved by passionate performances and exhibitions. Programming reflects the true diversity of the thriving arts community in Alberta and Canada, and is adaptive in its approach in order to remain responsive to the needs of artists and audiences.

SkirtsAfire Festival values diversity in the women we represent and therefore welcomes women artists of all diverse backgrounds including trans women, self-identifying women, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, all ethnicities and all abilities.

Join Alberta Ballet in a journey into uncharted territories, conquering new dimensions of dance in this annual mixed bill featuring a variety of spectacular creations in one production.

“As custodians of the art of ballet, we are responsible for keeping it alive and relevant: Alive when we dance the great classics with contemporary flare and relevant when we propose new aesthetics and new ideas on what ballet has become in our time,” said Alberta Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître.

“Like an orchestra, we are equally responsible for the great repertoire of the past as well as for the ballets of today and tomorrow.”

Don’t miss Alberta Ballet dancers as they perform three masterful works for this debut of our annual mixed bill dance series, Alberta Ballet Unleashed.

Germaine Lauzon is a lucky woman : she has just won a million GoldStar stamps that she can redeem for items for her home from the catalog. She recruits her neighbours, her family, and her friends to help her place the stamps in their booklets. Jealousy surfaces as unexpected guests arrive at Germaine’s cramped apartment. This renowned dramatic comedy by Michel Tremblay transports the audience back to Montreal during the 1960s and delves into the socially complex world of housewives.

By Michel Tremblay

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Dear Evan Hansen is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

Dear Evan Hansen has struck a chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says Dear Evan Hansen is, “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical, “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Epilogos: The point in a speech where the reader attempts to build an emotional response from the Audience.

“Rhetoric then may be defined as the faculty of discovering the possible means of persuasion in reference to any subject whatever.” ? Aristotle, Rhetoric

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Dear Evan Hansen is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

Dear Evan Hansen has struck a chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says Dear Evan Hansen is, “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical, “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Hillsburn | Friday, February 7, 2020

The Small Glories | Friday, February 7, 2020

Laila Biali | Saturday, February 8, 2020

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar | Thursday, February 13, 2020

Peking Acrobats | Friday, February 14, 2020

Classic Albums Live Presents: Tom Petty Damn the Torpedos | Sunday, February 16, 2020

Silver Skate Festival is a 10-day, family-oriented festival running each February in Edmonton's scenic river valley.

Rooted in Dutch winter traditions, the festival combines sport (especially skating), arts and culture, and recreation. The Silver Skate Festival is the longest running winter festival in Edmonton. Over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds, from a small skating event to a large-scale, winter extravaganza.

Each year, the festival transforms Hawrelak Park into a winter wonderland with fun for the entire family. Here, you'll discover breathtaking snow sculpture, winter sports, and horse-drawn sleighs carrying families through the park. Sit in a Cree Winter Camp and cook bannock over an open fire. Compete in the winter triathlon or speed skating events. Take in live music and theatrical performances with your friends and loved ones. Our festival activities are as diverse as the people who call our Northern community home.

France. 1940. After months of training and successful missions, The Invisible are sent on one of their most dangerous missions to date. Seven exceptional female operatives risk their lives to fight a dangerous war of sabotage, propaganda and espionage — breaking with decorum and defying expectations, these women achieve the impossible, helping to bring down the greatest threat of our time, only to go completely unseen. This genre-busting mash-up of historical research, film-noir, graphic novels, and musical theatre is a contemporary portrait of brave women who risked their lives to fight a dangerous war of sabotage, propaganda & espionage during WWII–only to find themselves betrayed by the very world they believed they were fighting for.

Inspired by the stories of real life female SOE’s, The Invisible is a musical tour-de-force.

Tyler Horby & Piotr Lemanczyk Trio | Saturday, February 1, 2020

Brett Hansen Quartet | Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Blipvuster | Friday, February 7, 2020

Mark Segger Sextet CD Release | Saturday, February 8, 2020

The Scona Quartet | Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Angelique Francis | Friday, February 14 & Saturday, February 15, 2020

Jan Janovsky Trio | Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Harrison Squared | Friday, February 21, 2020

Jazz Affair | Saturday, February 22, 2020

Shelley Jones Quartet | Tuesday, February 25, 2020

The Sierra Jamerson Experience presents Baduizm: A Tribute to Erykah Badu | Friday, February 28, 2020

Maria Grand Trio | Saturday, February 29, 2020

On a sunny summer weekend, Gary and Louise invite friends and family to celebrate the second birthday of their child J, who they are raising without a gender. As the day awkwardly unfolds, grudges are revealed and secrets bubble uproariously to a head. Nick Green’s staggering new comedy skewers the excesses of the politically correct and the possible future we are setting up for our children.

A startling new comedy from one of Canada’s most exciting young playwrights

Diavolo was seen by over 95 million people as one of the top 10 finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. The Los Angeles-based dance company continues to push a new edge of performance with Artistic Director Jacques Heim’s inventive genius and his fearless, athletic daredevils. The program will include Diavolo’s signature work Trajectoire and Voyage, featuring meticulously designed architectural structures that have become the company’s hallmark. 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Jacques Heim

Adrean Farrugia and Joel Frahm Duo | Friday, January 17, 2020

The Berner Brothers Play the Music of the Adderley Brothers | Saturday, January 18, 2020

Craig Brennan Quartet | Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Sam Taylor and Larry McKenna Quartet | Friday, January 24, 2020

Nicolas Bearde sings Nat King Cole & more | Saturday, January 25, 2020

Stephanie Urquhart Quartet | Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Audrey Ochoa Quintet | Thursday, January 30, 2020

Sivan Arbel Quartet | Friday, January 31, 2020

An Evening with Jack Semple | Friday, January 17, 2020

Tebey with special guests Sons and Daughters | Saturday, January 18, 2020

Little Miss Higgins | Friday, January 31, 2020

Arts on the Ave is proud to present the 13th annual Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival featuring Winter Tales.

On Saturday, January 11th & Sunday, January 12th, 2020 embrace the cold northern climate by enjoying artistic panache and authentic cultural and heritage winter games and fun.

This year, Saturday will be Ukrainian Cultural Day and Sunday will be Francophone Cultural Day, with Indigenous performances all weekend long. Several festival stages will feature special world music performances on Saturday.

Do not miss this amazing weekend!

Chloe loves Robbie. Everybody does. But Robbie loves Chloe back. They are the star triple-threat couple of their high school drama club and have dreams of their future success together in Musical Theatre (or straight plays, if Musical Theatre doesn't work out). But — speaking of straight — suddenly Robbie wonders if he's gay. And Chloe begins to wonder, too. And what does that mean for their future together?

This brand new comedy was first seen as a short piece in Loud & Queer 2014, produced by Workshop West Playwright's Theatre and Guys In Disguise.

"If ever a show earned its exclamation point, it's this one!"— Wall Street Journal

OKLAHOMA! launched a new era in the American musical. It also began the most successful songwriting partnership (Rodgers and Hammerstein) in Broadway history. Over the musical's run, from the original production in 1943 to a series of revivals, it has earned numerous awards including Tony, Olivier, Academy and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. With its legendary score, OKLAHOMA! tells a tale of young love in a land of endless possibilities. This joyous celebration of America's heartland features memorable songs “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, “People Will Say We're in Love,” and of course, “Oklahoma!”

A Festival Place tradition, the Festival Players continue their 17 year history of outstanding theatre over the Christmas season! As with shows like Mary Poppins, Anne of Green Gables, Fiddler on the Roof and last year’s Singin’ in the Rain, an evening at OKLAHOMA! will feature a cast of 30, a pit orchestra of 15, an engaging new set and costumes that will remind you of how great theatre can be.

Red Litmus | Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Jivin’ Belles Christmas Concert | Friday, December 13, 2019

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, this Tony Award®​ ​-nominated hit features original music and lyrics by 7-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​) and original direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (​Pippin​, ​Finding Neverland​).

“​WAITRESS​ is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “sweet, sassy and passionate,” according to New York Magazine. Don’t miss this uplifting and hilarious musical!

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Brought to life by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team, this Tony Award®​ ​-nominated hit features original music and lyrics by 7-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​) and original direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (​Pippin​, ​Finding Neverland​).

“​WAITRESS​ is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “sweet, sassy and passionate,” according to New York Magazine. Don’t miss this uplifting and hilarious musical!

November 2019

Maddie Storvold with special guest Emmet Michael | Friday November 01, 2019

Symphony of Sorrowful Songs with Stephanie Kwan and Krystian Sekowski | Saturday November 02, 2019

Pretty Archie | Saturday November 02, 2019

The East Pointers | Thursday November 07, 2019

Lemon Bucket Orkestra | Friday November 08, 2019

The Young' Uns | Saturday November 09, 2019

Kim Churchill with Special Guest Ocie Elliott | Tuesday November 12, 2019

Colin Linden | Wednesday November 13, 2019

Fortunate Ones | Friday November 15, 2019

Alex Cuba | Saturday November 16, 2019

Shaun Majumder's HATE Tour | Monday November 18, 2019

Lee Harvey Osmond with Special Guest Lynne Hanson | Wednesday November 20, 2019

Old Man Luedecke | Thursday November 21, 2019

Hawksley Workman | Thursday November 21, 2019

Ashley MacIsaac | Friday November 22, 2019

Classic Albums Live Presents: Pink Floyd The Wall | Saturday November 23, 2019

Formidable! Aznavour, The Story of a Legend | Friday November 29, 2019

Big Hank's Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas featuring the R&B Kingpins | Friday November 29, 2019

Sultans of String Christmas Caravan with Special Guest Rebecca Campbell | Saturday November 30, 2019

October is a month of music at Festival Place, with 14 performances and events from 9 genres in the Presenter Series throughout the month.

Singer Songwriter

Danny Michel (October 1) is unquestionably one of Canada’s finest songwriters. His thoughtful lyrics & earnest performances have earned him a devoted fan base as well as three JUNO nominations, the Polaris Prize, the CBC "Heart Of Gold" and most recently the CFMA's "Producer of the year" and "Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundries" award.

Danny Michel | October 1 | Singer Songwriter

Instrumental

In an already sold out show, Pavlo (October 4) is a true world artist who brings audiences to their feet with his unique style and Mediterranean spirit. Over the span of his 20-year career, Pavlo has released 15 albums including two collaborative projects, 2015’s Guitarradas with Remigio Pereira and 2009’s Trifecta with fellow guitar masters Rik Emmett and Oscar Lopez.

Jazz
A Festival Place favourite, Internationally acclaimed musician Michael Kaeshammer returns to Festival Place, October 5. His new album, Something New features 10 original songs about love, life, travel and politics. Flavours of jazz, boogie-woogie and blues combined with passion and meticulous detail, Michael Kaeshammer is unafraid of crossing genre boundaries and uses his many influences to take the listener along on a memorable journey.

Folk
Newfoundland has a storied history of stunning songwriters, poets and players. Over the course of the last decade, The Once (October 9) have writ and knit themselves into that story. The trio's instrumentation and vocals led by Geraldine Hollett's meld together like gold. Their songs have been placed in international film and television, they have YouTube videos with millions of hits, and there's a trail of trophy nominations and wins from the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Awards, and the JUNO Awards in their wake.

The Once | October 9 | Folk

Pop / Rock

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (October 10) is a singer/ songwriter from Calgary. A touring troubadour, most of his time is spent on stage playing clubs, theatres and festivals across North America. MBF has shared the stage and toured with Joel Plaskett, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steve Winwood, Third Eye Blind, Sam Roberts, Stars, K-OS, The Wallflowers, Elliott Brood, Lights and many more. 

Just added to the Festival Place season, 100.3 The Bear presents Clayton Bellamy & The Congregation, October 12. Audiences know Bellamy from The Road Hammers and from his solo records (Everyone’s a Dreamer and Five Crow Silver). Bellamy is back with a new sound, a mix of blues, rock and gospel. 

Festival Place is please to present The Royal Foundry Album Release with Special Guest Lost Cousin, October 18.  The Royal Foundry make the kind of up tempo folk pop that comes from harmonious alignment. It makes sense, then, that band members Bethany and Jared Salte are married. As the duo write music inspired by their marital life along with life lessons and challenges, they embark hand-in-hand, creating thought provoking lyrics, mesmerizing melodies, and a charming, unforgettable chemistry.

Sloan (October 22) is without doubt the most truly democratic group in the annals of rock, with Jay Ferguson, Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, and Andrew Scott all contributing original compositions to each record; equal partners with equal say over every aspect of their work. Over 25 years into their legendary career as (probably) the greatest name to come out of the Halifax pop explosion, Sloan continues to inspire those in need of honest, true rock and roll in all of its glorious colours.

The Royal Foundry | October 18 | Pop / Rock

Blues
JUNO nominated and Western Canadian Music Award recipients, The Sojourners (October 11) sing with earthy vocals, gorgeous harmonies and effortless swing. Their latest project, Sing and Never Get Tired is a classic gospel album sung in a soulful, rootsy, bluesy style and with a musical backdrop that recalls the best of sixties gospel and rock music.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Motown, Festival Place is proud to present A Tribute To Motown featuring Peter LaMarr (The Drifters) & The Motown Tribute Orchestra, October 17. Paying homage to some of the greatest musical acts of all time, the Motown Tribute Orchestra is a 10 piece ensemble that perform the hits made by such artists as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and many more. Formed by Musical Director and former Ray Charles Bassist John Gray who played with The Marvelettes (Motown Artists) and some of the Original Funk Brothers, the group features Peter LaMarr, a solid rhythm section, a killer horn section and 2 soulful backup singers.

After 18 albums, countless awards and wowing sold‐out audiences around the globe, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band are celebrating their 50th Anniversary, performing two shows October 31 and November 1 (Nov 1, sold out). Their brand‐new show features hits like “Flip, Flop & Fly,” as well as fan favourites and hidden gems from throughout their illustrious career. With their signature jump‐blues style and infectious, soulful sound, JUNO award winners “Downchild” deliver a live performance that is second to none, and this special anniversary show is one ‐ not to be missed!

The Legendary Downchild Blues | October 31 & November 1 | Blues

Special Events
Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation (FPCAF) is please to present the 25th Annual Black & White Fundraiser (October 19). Featuring an evening of culinary specialties, live musical entertainment by Terrell Edwards, and  instrumental, vocal, and dance performers from Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation scholarship and grant recipients. 

All proceeds from this event  go towards supporting visual and performing artists and youth of Strathcona County through advocacy, grants, and scholarships. For over 25 years, FPCAF has contributed fundraising dollars to support Festival Place, Gallery @501 programs, Under the Big Top participants, Sherwood Park Music Festival, and more.

World 
Each and every year the Irish Cultural Academy brings together some of its finest exponents of Irish traditional music, song, and dance as part of one sensational group known as, The Young Irelanders (October 20). The Young Irelanders deliver a performance which transports the audience to a part of the world untarnished by modernity and breathtaking in its beauty. Whether it be one of the much- loved vocal numbers like “Galway Bay”, the foot stomping beat of Kerry polkas, or a stirring air inspired by the “Cliffs of Moher”, the future of Ireland's culture is undoubtedly in safe hands with The Young Irelanders.

Family 
Getting the whole family in the Halloween spirit, Festival Place presents Norman Foote's Halloween Howl, October 24. is a JUNO award-winning entertainer who has received International acclaim for his song writing, outrageous props and off beat sense of humour. In “The Howl”….music, costumes and Halloween all come together in an engaging concert for youth and families. Norman will share the stage with the most creative and colourful children’s choir you will ever see, his “animated wall of costumed singers”. Norman encourages youth to believe in themselves and celebrate their own voice. 

About Festival Place:
All performances begin at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices vary per show and are available through festivalplace.ab.ca, or by calling the Festival Place Box Office (780.449.3378).

Festival Place continues to be Alberta’s #1 Presenter of Professional Artists. The 2018/2019 season showcased an eclectic mix of over 80 incredibly talented performers. The upcoming 2019/2020 season carries on the same ambitious standard of entertainment, with over 80 performances already scheduled between September 2019 and April 2020, with new shows added throughout the year.

For more information, visit festivalplace.ab.ca.

It’s a sleek chic close to the season as we revisit this vivacious contemporary spin on the classic screwball form, last performed by Teatro in 2002. Haberdashery, industrial espionage, and the finest of onions… All figure prominently in this ricochet romp, which ratchets things up further with three identical briefcases and a scintillating cast led by Belinda Cornish and Andrew MacDonald‑Smith.

BY STEWART LEMOINE

Come back to campus, reconnect with friends, and be a part of the great things happening at the U of A.

Signature Events:

Thursday, Sept. 19

Alumni Awards

Friday, Sept. 20

Class of ’69 Cap ’n’ Gown

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Golden Bears Hockey & Block Party

Campus Tours

Saturday, Sept. 21

Kids on Campus

U of A in a Day

Relax Damn It! Keynote Lecture by Tim Caulfield

Golden Grads Dinner

Campus Tours

Sunday, Sept. 22

Alumni Weekend Concert

Kaleido Family Arts Festival is held on historic Alberta Avenue (118 Ave between 90-94 Street). For two and a half days every September, Alberta Avenue comes alive as an environment of creative exploration and performances on rooftops, sides of buildings, back alleys, parks, old spaces and new spaces. Not only is it a wonder to behold, it is FREE! You have to see it to believe it!