Six Guitars - Show Cancellation

Have you ever noticed that the best laid plans sometimes go astray? You make plans, you tell people about the plans, and then… stuff happens.

That’s what Horizon Stage experienced recently. We got an unexpected phone call from a very apologetic agent who explained that the spring tour for Six Guitars has to be cancelled. That was disappointing, considering the show on February 13 was selling very well. In fact, no one on staff was happy – we’ve all been looking forward to seeing this show ourselves.

Then we thought we had it worked out with a new date, and we started the process of change. Unfortunately, there was another hiccup, and now the show has been cancelled.

So what does this mean to you?

If you have tickets for Six Guitars, you can expect a phone call, encouraging you to exchange your ticket to another show in the 15-16 season. We are recommending The WONDERHEADS’ Grim and Fischer if you are looking for a theatre show (that happens to be on the night before the Six Guitars date), or either Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project or David Myles if you are looking for a concert with great guitar music. Of course, you are free to choose any show that has tickets available. Alternately, refunds will be given, up until October 19. We really hope that you will be able to find a show you’d like to see so your night out at Horizon Stage isn’t lost – and it might even be a good opportunity to try something you overlooked earlier. Give us a call at 780-962-8995 and we can chat about your options.

Wry and Witty Pop and Folk Musician Tours to Horizon Stage

Two-Time Juno Nominee Jeremy Fisher Performs with Ariana Gillis in Spruce Grove on October 3

After developing a devoted fan base through five folk-influenced releases, Jeremy Fisher boldly ventured in a new, more pop-influenced direction with his 2014 album The Lemon Squeeze. Known for his witty lyrics and distinctive videos, this two-time Juno nominee has toured with Said the Whale, Hannah Georgas, Sarah Slean and Xavier Rudd, opened for the Proclaimers and Great Big Sea, and recorded with Hawksley Workman and Serena Ryder. Now touring in B.C. and Alberta with young singer-songwriter Ariana Gillis, the pair will make a stop in Spruce Grove on Saturday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Jeremy Fisher is currently based out of Ottawa, but has previously made his home in Montreal, Seattle, Washington, and on Vancouver Island. Never one to travel down the most obvious – or easiest – paths, Jeremy spent six months touring across Canada to Halifax by bicycle. The tour, dubbed “One Less Tourbus”, in support of his 2001 independent album, Back Porch Spirituals, travelled 7500 kilometres, and included 30 performances. His videos are quirky and animated: 2007’s “Cigarette” was hugely popular on YouTube, 2014’s “Uh-Oh”, which pokes fun at politicians,  and the puppet-themed “The Bride is Dead” have been gaining similar momentum.

The decision to make The Lemon Squeeze a pure pop record was solidified after a discussion with producers Gus Van Go and Werner F. “When we first sat down, we batted around the idea of a pop record that would stay true to my typical, acoustic guitar-driven solo show. But when I started to write, the songs just weren’t coming on guitar.” says Jeremy. The end result was everything from Randy Newman-inspired piano ballads with strings, to Queen-esque guitar licks, to Billy-Joel-styled pop. Opening track, “I Love You...So”, is a tight pop tune owing more to Ben Folds than to any folk artist and “Uh-Oh”, featuring vocals by Canadian pop/folk favourite Serena Ryder, is cheeky and catchy.

Chosen as Young Performer of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards, 22-year-old Ariana Gillis is fulfilling the promise many saw in her when she released her first EP at the age of 17. Hailing from St. Catharines, Ontario, Ariana launched her second CD with a live appearance on the US satellite station Sirius XM. When host Dave March played the track, “John and the Monster”, they got a call from an enthusiastic listener who wanted to know more about the unusual song and singer. That caller was Elton John’s lyricist and songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. Later, Bernie told Ariana’s father, musician and producer David Gillis: “I’m staggered by how good she is. There is not much that impresses me these days but after hearing her available tracks I can honestly say she’s the single most exciting thing I’ve heard in a very long time.” Now that’s a ringing endorsement!

Don’t miss what is sure to be fun, funky, and unpredictable concert - Jeremy Fisher with Ariana Gillis at Horizon Stage on October 3. Tickets are just $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave) or by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online at Ticketpro.ca.

This Spicy Gourmet Recital Mixes Classical and Popular Music

Soprano Marie-Josée Lord Performs with Piano and Violin at Horizon Stage on Sept. 26

On Saturday, September 26, at 7:30 p.m. soprano Marie-Josée Lord will perform with violinist Uliana Drugova, and pianist Dominic Boulianne at Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove. Their concert is the first presentation in Horizon Stage’s 2015/16 Season and the trio will have just started an extensive tour under the auspices of Prairie Debut.  Together they will perform Jambalaya, a spicy collection of audience favourites. Their gourmet recital will tastefully entwine classical, opera, and popular pieces by Gershwin, Verdi, Bernstein, Dvorák, Bizet, and many other composers. The program will simmer ever so naturally with results so flavourful that everyone will be asking for seconds!            

Known as a “warm, melodious, and emotionally generous soprano,” (The Montreal Gazette) Marie-Josée Lord has a stunning, original voice and an on-stage presence that will make you fall in love with whatever genre of music she is singing. The winner of many prestigious awards, including Prix d’Excellence de la Culture from the Fondation de l’Opéra de Québec, she was selected to represent Canada at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Last season, Marie-Josée sang Violetta in La traviata (Verdi) in Würtzburg, Germany as well as Serena in Porgy and Bess (Gershwin) for five sold out performances at l’Opéra de Montréal. Her first solo CD, with Orchestre Métropolitain, won a 2011 Félix award and received a JUNO nomination. Ms. Lord is a sought-after performer for opera, recitals, and with many orchestras. Her sound is described by Wholenote Magazine as "the voices of Jessye Norman and Renée Fleming, with a dash of Maureen Forrester ". This powerhouse soprano will be performing with violinist, Uliana Drugova and pianist, Dominic Boulianne, both exceptional musicians in their own right.

Prairie Debut is a Canadian classical and world music touring network that focuses on bringing the highest artistic standard of classical and world music artists to communities of all sizes throughout Western Canada.  Throughout its 18 years, Prairie Debut has cultivated some of Canada’s best musicians by providing performance opportunities, exposure and experience and connecting them with thousands of people across the Prairies. An organization with charitable status, Prairie Debut is based in Manitoba and incorporated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

This tour has been generously supported by The Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Network, Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, RBC Foundation Emerging Artists Project, Calm Air, and Golden West. The performance at Horizon Stage is also proudly sponsored by Canadian Heritage, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, CKUA, Travelodge Inn & Suites, and Ticketpro.

Tickets to taste the music of Marie-Josée Lord Trio Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage are just $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave) or by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090. Tickets can also be purchased online through Ticketpro.ca.