The Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp are ready to rock this summer — virtually, for two weeks, Aug. 4-7 and Aug. 10-14.

 Due to Covid 19, this years campers aren’t going to meet in person at The Gate as they have for the last few years, but will instead focus on seminars presented through Zoom.

“We’re going to do a virtual camp this year. The campers are going to focus on workshops and explore some new things,” said organizer Silvana Campus.

 A benefit of going online is that the Lethbridge Camp can share resources and volunteers with other Girls Rock Camps in other cities like Edmonton, and as far away as Jacksonville, Florida. There are 10 volunteers signed up for this year’s Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp.

“ A lot of cities decided to cancel their camps this year,” Campus said.

“It’s hard to do a camp without the campers meeting in person because we share everything but it also allowed us to incorporate the feedback we received from parents and campers last year,” she continued.

 They have also forged relationships with more local organizations and volunteers including the Sweetgrass Youth Alliance.

The Cody Hall Band played a late announced show at the Slice, July 25 for an appreciative  crowd of approximately 20 people.

 The Slice is presenting live music again and are taking precautions, providing hand sanitizer at the door and at the bar. Cody Hall was singing behind a wall of plexiglass set before his microphone.

 He and his tight band played a mix of country, modern rock and classic rock as well as a few  originals.

 They played a few modern country covers by the Eli Young Band and Luke Bryan, then switched things off for Craig Carswell’s acoustic trio, who were playing their first gig.

Things are slowly starting to reopen. Last week the Slice had  a successful show featuring seven bands. This week is the Sound Garden Over 21 Club’s chance to shine. They reopen on Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. with local favourites long standing classic rockers the Chevelles.

 Proper social distancing measures will be in place. There is a five dollar cover.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge is testing the waters for open mics on their expanded patio beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. Solo performers  are only allowed, and if you have your own microphone, bring it, though sanitized mics will be  on handed to swap out between performers.

 It is a good week for drama. The Lethbridge Shakespeare Perfomance Society’s first open air live performance of Merry Wives of Windsor  at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens is sold out.

Live music is cautiously coming back amidst Covid 19.

As expe cted Musicians are feeling a little lost and venues are suffering.

 So an eclectic group of musicians played the Slice, July 11 to help the popular local venue out.

 I was an impressively eclectic line up. It showed just how many different kinds of acts the Slice features. They were doing their best to social distance with hand sanitizer at the door and limiting capacity to  45.

And all the vocalists brought their own microphones. This show featured majestic metal, classic rock, ’90s funk rock, alternative rock and straight ahead bare bones hard rock and roll.

Celtic metal band or Celtic screamo band Minstrels of Crevas formerly Night Blaed, opened up the show right on time at 8 p.m. The band dressed in their finest Celtic makeup and clothing  put on a majestic show of heavy, Celtic inspired metal.

Vocalist/ keyboardist Ryan Radley aka Cordell played pipes and other Celtic instruments on his keyboards, while narrator Tempest screamed as if bewitched and narrated bardic tales, which were lost in a muddy mix.

 Guitarist Aanaris played tasteful guitar, ending their set with a flurry of two handed tapping.

 The Andi Roberts band were up next to supply the classic rock rock fix of the night.
 They have a special place in my heart as Andi Roberts is my vocal instructor.

 She belted out spirited version of  Journey’s “Any Way You Want.”
Robert’s introduced “Crazy Train” by yelling, I don’t know about you, but Covid is driving me crazy.”

Arvay and Tristan Leacock effortlessly traded guitar solos.
Tyrants of Chaos Drummer Ryan Dyck and bassist Joey Steckly, supplied a thunderous backbeat.
 For something a little mellower, they  played a spirited Version of  Tom Cochrane’s “Life is A Highway.”

 They picked up the pace again for “Sweet Child O Mine” and ended their set with a hot version of AC DC’s “Highway to Hell,” before Roberts asked everyone to toast Derek and the Slice.