Festival Place is kicking off their 25th season of music, theatre, comedy, dance and special events with a packed September featuring 11 performances and events.
Country
JUNO nominated Lindi Ortega (September 5) kicks off the month with her red boots and “country gothic noir” persona. Expect afeisty, rockabilly mix “drenched in passion, heartache and country swagger” (Huffington Post), including familiar songs like “Tin Star” and “Ashes”.
The Country Series is sponsored by Nutrien.
Lindi Ortega | September 5 | Country
Photo Credit: Kate Nutt
World
Celebrating his 20th anniversary, musician, writer and producer, Lex Justice (September6) fuses classic reggae, R&B, jazz and rock to create a sound and style that is fresh but relatable. He founded the Indie rock group SUGAKANE, fronted and wrote for Blues group JIMMY & The SLEEPERS and created the Industrial Metal Group KINGDOOM, a band that included Chris Vrenna (NINE INCH NAILS and MARYLIN MANSON). Justice has worked alongside GRAMMY winners, JUNO winners and is a multiple award recipient/nominee: Including Western Canadian Music Awards and JUNO Awards.
Fundraising
Las Vegas Entertainer and Sherwood Park's very own, Terrell Edwards (September 7)returns to Festival Place for another unforgettable performance in support of youth initiatives in Strathcona County. Nominated for “Entertainer of the year” at the 2018 Edmonton Event Awards, no one pays tribute to the legends Nat, Ray Charles and The Righteous Brothers quite like this electrifying performer. Enjoy originals from Terrell's 2018 Edmonton Music Award nominated album Unchainedas well as some Jazz standards, classic soul and Motown favourites.
Celtic
Over the course of their notable career, Canadian group Leahy (September 12) has secured a place as one of the country’s most highly regarded progressive folk-roots bands. To date Leahy has sold more than half a million albums worldwide. They have been featured in three PBS television specials and are the subject of an Academy Award winning documentary, The Leahys: Music Most of All. Performances are full of energy, big rich sound, poignant songs, fiery instrumentals and percussive step-dancing – all delivered with unapologetic passion!
Leahy | September 12 | Celtic
Photo Credit: Clem McIntosh
Special Events
Join authors and historians David O’Keefe and Ted Barris for an evening of discovery, storytelling and reflection in From Dieppe to D-Day – the Untold Story (September13). Two of the defining moments of Canada’s role in liberating northwestern Europe during WWII happened within a few hundred miles of each other. Why was one considered a disaster, the other a victory? What was it like for individual Canadians involved? Even after 75 years, questions remain.
For the last 16 years, the Festival Players have captivated audiences over the Christmas season with their renditions of musical favourites. Festival Place 25th Anniversary Musical Revue (September 21), celebrates Festival Players and the extraordinary gift their productions bring to Festival Place audiences.
Toronto pianist, producer and composer, John Sheard, takes local fans on a walk down memory lane with his show Remembering Stuart McLean, featuring pianist John Sheard, The Brilliant Band & Guest Vocalists (September 28). The intimate evening of backstage stories, tour-bus tales, music and humour from 20 years on the road with Stuart, is an honest and genuine tribute to a man he spent so many years building memories with.
Remembering Stuart McLean, featuring pianist John Sheard, The Brilliant Band & Guest Vocalists September 28 | Special Event
Blues
For 41 years, Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues (September 14) have been Canada’s leading blues band, selling over 1 million records worldwide. Highlights include winning a JUNO award for “Most Promising Group of the Year”, headlining the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival, winning the Blues Foundation award and touring the US and Europe with legends like Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and James Brown.
Since 2008, the name MonkeyJunk (September 26) has been synonymous with the emergence of a new kind of blues on the Canadian and international music scene. Continually pushing boundaries and blurring genre lines, the Ottawa based trio has added an edge to their music by incorporating swampy blues and rock with thoughtful and intelligent lyrics. MonkeyJunk has won a collective 21 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, one Blues Music Award (USA) and have been nominated three times for a JUNO Award, winning the award twice for “Blues Album of the Year” in 2012 for To Behold and in 2018 for Time To Roll.
Multi-award winning Australian artist Lloyd Spiegel (September 26, Cafe Series) delivers one of the most unique solo concert experiences in the world. Blending jaw-dropping guitar chops with a commanding voice, powerful songwriting, storytelling and comedy, he’s described as an “Oz Roots & Blues Icon” (Rolling Stone Australia).
Classical & Vocal
Pianist James 'Kingsley' Clarke (September 23) is turning heads with his unforgettable musical style and unique artistic flair. Bringing a bold new blend of jazz and gospel to the keys, James is a truly incredible artist. Already with two successful albums, and a third on the way, his signature touch and memorable performances are garnering recognition across Canada's jazz scene. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Festival Place, James is pleased to be sharing the stage with three superb local choirs: The Festival Singers, Nottingham Choir, and the Josephburg Choral Society.
Festival Place September Playlist
About Festival Place:
All performances begin at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices vary per show and are available throughfestivalplace.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.