Three of the big shows of the weekend feature talented ladies harmonizing and playing upbeat roots music.
Victoria band Dirty Mountain and Steph Macpherson stop by the Owl Acoustic Lounge for an entertaining show
of roots and blues music, April 22. Dirty Mountain are part of the CBC Searchlight competition this year and have been getting a lot of airplay on the station. There is no cover for the show which begins at 9 p.m. with Steph Macpherson, backed by Dirty Mountain.
The next night, April 23 roots trio The Fates return to Lethbridge to play the Lethbridge College Cave for the Lethbridge Folk Club. Karen Romanchuk will be opening the show at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $25 for Folk Club members and $30 for guests.
Also on April 23, a special fundraiser for the Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp happens at the Slice. Taking a cue from Lethbridge Girls Rock, local musicians will learn a new instrument, put together in a band and practice songs in a week . They all play at the end of the week on April 23. Tickets are $10 at the door of $8 in advance from Blueprint.
The other big event of the weekend is also a fundraiser.
The third annual Alzheimers and Parkinson's fundraiser happens Saturday, April 23 at The Smokehouse BBQ & Bar. There will be a silent auction, 50 50 draw and door prizes. The entertainment begins at 2 p.m. with composer Oliver Wolff. Local rock band the Suit Jacket Society follow at 3 p.m. Then local country rock band the Mark Hall band will be performing at 4 p.m and then Tres Hombres at 5.p.m. After a break at 6 p.m.. Oliver Wolff will be joined by his band followed by rocker Kelly Bastard and Friends then a couple of excellent blues band rock after that. Coda plays at 8 p.m. followed by Calgary’s Eric Braun band at 9. Metal band Tyrants of Chaos close off the day at 10 p.m.
Admission is a minimum donation of $5.
But the fun begins early in the week.
The Slice hosts Victoria psychedelic rock band Zoo Riots on April 20. They play everything from blues and R and B to jazz and progressive rock. They are touring in support of their EP “Arbutus Skin Lady.”
There is an excellent alternative music show at Attainable Records, April 21. Experimental post rock band Clockwork Towns will be performing along with Calgary musician Evan Freeman with his five piece shoegaze band who will be stopping by to play in support of his debut CD “Luna.” Calgary musician Jordan Clermont is also on the bill.
For the more classically minded, The Lethbridge Community Brass Choir performs the Colour of Brass, April 21 at Cité Des Prairies at 7 p.m. They will be playing everything from baroque music to contemporary songs. Tickets are $15 with 10 and under getting in for free.
The other big classical music concert is the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana which is at the Southminster United Church, April 24 and 25. The concerts feature the Chinook Chamber Singers, LCI Singers and U of L Singers. The concert is at 3 p.m. on April 24 and 8 p.m. on April 25. Tickets are $25-$75.
Greg Gomola and friends play Honker’s Pub, April 22 and will host Honkers’ Saturday afternoon open mic.
Meanwhile Delta bluesman Leon Barr plays the Mocha Cabana, April 22. and Papa King and the Boogie Machine return to The Owl Acoustic Lounge to play the blues for you, April 23.
There are also a couple of country shows.
Hurtin’ return to play Casino Lethbridge, April 22. And David James’ Johnny Cash Tribute Big River returns to Lethbridge to play Average Joes, April 22 as well. Tickets for that show are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the show.
Down the road, the Chevelles return to rock Average Joes, April 22. Tickets are $10.
There is also an excellent all ages punk show at the Moose Hall, April 22 featuring Calgary bands the Foul English and the Reckless Heroes and local punk/ metal band the Space Wolves. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
For something a little different, Club Didi feature the Princess Show, April 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. each night. There is a $15 cover for this drag show which is inspired by Japanese Anime.
Local artists are helping families who have children with cancer with a gala art exhibition at the Galt Museum, April 23. There will be food, drinks and lots of Southern Albertan artists. Art will be sold on a first come first serve basis, plus there will be a live and a silent auction. It takes place 7-10 p.m. The money raised goes towards non profit organization Helping Families Helping Cancer. More information can be found at http://www.helpingfamilieshandlecancer.com/
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
