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.