It’s a excellent week for jazz aficionados. So get ready to get jazzed.
Among the many things happening this week is Vancouver based jazz vocalist Karin Plato, who is touring in support of her new double CD “Out of Town.”
She will be playing with Montrealers, pianist John Roney and Cellist Bryan Holt.
They have two sets beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is no cover for the show.
The Lethbridge Folk Club also has a big show on the weekend, with Heather Blush and The Uppercuts, who perform Nov. 6 at the Wolf’s Den. Tickets cost $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Jerry Arnold and David Orser will be opening the show with a set of ’50s and ’60s rock.
The Geomatic Attic has their third show in a week, on Sunday, Nov. 7 with St. Louis born bluesman Jim Byrnes, who will be performing with Seve Dawson. Over his distinguished career, he has played with a who’s who of bluesmen including Furry Lewis, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal and Joh Lee Hooker, to name a few.
There are still a few tickets left for this show. They cost $30 for members, $32.50 for non members and $35 at the door.
Last but not least, jazz/pop trio Dallience Elixer opens for Hippodrome, Nov. 6 at the Slice.
Speaking of pianos, Average Joes started a unique event every Wednesday called Dueling Pianos. Pianists Serge Soucy and Cal Toth had grand piano shells facing each other, which contained their individual keyboards. They took requests thoughout the night and harmonized and traded piano licks back and forth on a variety hits from the likes of CCR, Bon Jovi, Lynard Skynard and an excellent version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”
And while they weren’t actually dueling, they were definitely entertaining.
There are a couple other big shows this week, not the least of which is the first visit to Lethbridge from international rap superstar Xzibit, who will be performing at Bully’s Entertainment Centre, Nov. 5. Tickets cost $40 in advance or VIP tickets for $60. He is also the star of the MTV TV show “Pimp my Ride.”
The show begins at 9 p.m.
The University of Lethbridge Headbangers Society has a show at the Zoo, Nov. 5 featuring Striker, Pathogen and a Kyuss tribute band.
And community radio station CKXU is in the middle of their annual Fundrive, which means there are several events happening this week.
For something more laid back mid-week, the Slice is bringing singer/songwriter Peter Katz back, Nov. 3.
For something for those still in the Hallowe’en hangover spirit, the Slice is bringing back Montreal psychobilly band the Brains along with the Hypnophobics and the Phantom Creeps, Nov. 7. The next day Sunparlour Players return to rock the folk out of the Slice, Nov. 8.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge also has some interesting acts this week.
Saskatoon based acoustic duo All of the Above stop by for a show, Nov. 4. There is no cover as always. They play upbeat, affable folk/ pop featuring guitar and vocal harmonies.
And for something eccentric and unusually entertaining, local experimental pop/jazz/ folk/poetry collective Sonis McAllister and the Barracuda Orchestra have a show, Nov. 5.
And, as a special bonus, the Boogie Brothers, aka Darryl Düus and Papa King will be playing excellent acoustic blues at the Owl, the next night. There is no cover for this show.
