While most of this week’s entertainment surrounds the grand opening of CASA, May 14-18, there is a lot going on all over the city this week.

 CASA has a variety of activities happening throughout the week of May 14-18. The highlight is  Oscar Lopez, who will be performing May 17 with opening act Awna Teixeira beginning at 8 p.m.

 There is also a lot of live local music for the Party in the Plaza, May 18 from noon to 7 p.m. which will take place outside, though things will be moved inside if it rains.
 Lethbridge country / folk singer Karen Romanchuk opens the day at noon followed by The Juarez Band, Lethbridge rock band the New Weather Machine, the U of L Conservatory of Music, alternative folk band the Brenna Lowrie band, singer songwriter Matthew Robinson and Lethbridge indie rock band Jesse and the Dandelions, who wind up things at 6 p.m. The Drama Nutz, Mary-Anne McTrowe, Fernando Espindola, the Lethbridge Community Taiko Association and Southern Accord will be performing in between acts.

There is a lot of roots music again this week with Steve Brockley playing the Slice, May 15.
 And local country roots act Shaela Miller and Treeline play a local show, May 17 at the Slice.
 The Slice also has  a pretty cool roots rock and world show, May 18 with Buckman Coe and Spoon River, who have taken on new members and adopted a more straight forward rock and roll sound.

 Not to be outdone, the Owl Acoustic Lounge has a couple great shows this week including Southern Ontario rockabilly/ honky tonk quartet Ollie Vee, who play May 18. To get the full Sun Studios country effect, check out Almost Johnny Cash,  a Johnny Cash tribute which returns to Average Joes, May 17
The Owl Acoustic Lounge also have an excellent roots/ rock group Luke Blu Guthrie who will be performing a little rhythm and blues and rock, May 17.

As always there are lots of great local shows performing throughout the week including  Dale Ketcheson playing classical music at the Mocha Cabana Friday and Saturday. And in a classical vein, Sheldon Arvay and Scott Kanashiro of Billie Vegas and the Chevelles respectively take a break from their rock roots to play classical music at the Mix Lounge in Ric’s Grill, May 15. They will also be at the Telegraph Taphouse  from 2:30 p.m.,- 6 p.m. May 18.

The Chevelles themselves are at the Casino this weekend, rocking it classic rock style. If you like dance music however, you will want to be at Essies, May 17 when they feature Mat The Alien, DJ Fuze, A.I.M, Erwin the Intern and Gray. Tickets are $15  for the show which begins at 9 p.m.

 Last, but not least there is a great fundraiser at the Slice, May 19 featuring John Wort Hannam, Dave McCann and Leeroy Stagger with well known Edmonton folk and roots musician Bill Werthman. Werthman is organizing Hillary’s Ride, a bicycle trip across Canada in honour of his daughter to raise awareness  about youth mental health and depression. Werthman and friends Terry Fannon and Sue Sohnle will cycle from Victoria to St. John’s Newfoundland in honour of his daughter who passed away 10 years ago, May 8. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $20. The performers are all donating their time and donating all profits to Hillary’s Ride.