September just started, schools back in and things are really starting to cook in Lethbridge for live entertainment.
This week is marked by a few huge events including two massive events on the same day — Sept 12. University of Lethbridge based community radio station CKXU take over Galt Gardens for the fifth annual Love and Records music festival and record fair.
In addition to dozens of vendors, food trucks, a kids’ tent, a comedy tent and a whole lot of records, there will also be a whole lot of live music beginning at 11 a.m. with the Soul Sisters.
There will be a variety of music this year. Local surf band the Atomicos follow at 11:30, country band the Dearly Departed follow the, Calgary pop/ art rock. psyche jam band 36? are on at 1 p.m.. Dive Pool play at 2 p.m., another local country band Hurtin’ play at 3 p.m., followed by Calgary rockabilly band Peter and the Wolves. Renown children's entertainer Fred Penner takes the stage at 5 p.m.
Edmonton indie folk band Scenic Route To Alaska play at 6 p.m..
Fernie stoke folk band Shred Kelly wind things down at 7 p.m. and Calgary rock band Cowpuncher finish off the night at 8 p.m. There is no charge to attend, so get on down there.
Across the coulee at the University of Lethbridge, if you are a student or a guest of a student, the Freshfest Jamboree features a variety of talent including Toronto synth pop trio Dragonette, hip hop artist Grandtheft, Calgary rock band the Dudes, fiddle virtuoso Kytami, who used to play with Delhi2Dublin, local rapper the Blue and AJ Baragar.
The music runs from 3 p.m.- 11 p.m, Freshfest jamboree tickets cost $25.
That show caps of The U of L’s Freshfest.
On Sept. 11, it is all about DJs in the Zoo at the SU including DJ Fuze, Steve Samurai, DJ Disko, Phunky Le Freq and Millz Skillz. Doors open at 9 p.m. for Freshies and 10 p.m. for everyone else who wants to dance.
Lethbridge College welcomes back students with a couple of events this week including the Neon Lights Party with music from Orangeman in the Lethbridge College Cave at 8 p.m., Sept. 10.
The Student’s Association is having a barbecue lunch to welcome students to orientation, Sept. 8 from 3- 10 p.m. Hypnotist Scott Ward performs at 8 p.n. There is also a big show at the Slice on Sept. 11 with Attainable Records’ launch party. Performers include folk singer Phillip Woo, the Coulee Men, high paced Calgary punk band Pancake, Calgary rock band the Wells, local rapper the Blue who will also be performing at the Fresh Fest Jamboree the next day, Calgary band the Detractors and finish off with a local band the Bummer Club. Also performing will be Connor HD, one of the founders of Attainable Records.
A lot of beloved open mics and concert series’ also kick off this week.
Open mics return to Honker’s Pub with Steve Keenan and possibly Paul Kype playing some blues and welcoming you too. Their open mics are now every Friday.
Honker’s also will be having regular Saturday afternoon jams beginning Sept. 19 from 3-7 p.m.
The Lethbridge Folk Club is also starting up their open mics on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Wolf’s Den (MJ’s Cycle 1502 2nd Ave south). They begin at 8 p.m. There is $2 cover. You must have a membership (which costs five dollars) to attend. The first Lethbridge Folk Club show will be Calgary bluesman Tim Williams playing the Lethbridge College Cave, Sept. 26. Tickets cost $25 for members, $30 for non members which include a membership.
The Smokehouse also has their regular open jams on Saturday nights beginning at 9 p.m.
And if you like country music, the Blue Ridge Mountain society has an annual afternoon country jam at the Moose Hall, from 1-5 p.m.
Monthly jazz jams return to the Slice, Sept. 9 with hosts HBO3. There is no cover to attend and play. But if you want to laugh, The Owl Acoustic Lounge has their comedy open mic, Sept. 9 as well with hosts Cam Bye and Brett Hutchinson.
The Geomatic Attic also kicks off a pretty sweet season this week with the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra playing The Attic on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30.
It’s a good week for rock and punk music.
Edmonton horror metal band Bleed play Inferno, Sept. 9 with local metal bands Sengage, Penitentz and death metal band Necrofuckphilia.
And the Slice and the Owl Acoustic Lounge both have some hot Love and Records after-parties featuring Flowshine and Rockwall Highline at the Slice and Supernatural Buffalo playing the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sept. 12.
If you like real country music, don’t miss a rare local show from the Coal Creek Boys at Casino Lethbridge, Sept. 11 and 12. Last, but not least, James Oldenburg will be playing some laid back jazz music at the Mocha Cabana, Sept. 11 and 12 from 6-9 p.m..
The fun isn’t over after the weekend. The Owl Acoustic Lounge features Edmonton pop/ folk musician Doug Hoyer and Mark Mills playing on Monday, Sept. 14.
