Thursday, January 25, 2018

Silver Screen Scoundrels Pair Great Music with Vaudeville-Style Silent Films

Enjoy Live Country Blues, Gospel, Ragtime, Swing and Lots of Laughs at This Unique Show 


During the silent film era, from the 1890s to the late 1920s, a pianist, organist, or small orchestra played music to accompany films with no synchronized recorded sound or spoken dialogue. The Silver Screen Scoundrels perform original Country Blues, Gospel, Ragtime, and Swing music as accompaniment for their own, custom-produced, comedic black and white silent films. Horizon Stage is pleased to present the Silver Screen Scoundrels at a special weekday matinee concert on Thursday, February 8.

Brandon Isaak plays multiple instruments; guitars, harmonica, drums, kazoo and piano, but not all at the same time. He is the lead singer of the Silver Screen Scoundrels and writes most of the songs they perform. As a solo artist Brandon won a Maple Blues Award for Best Acoustic Performer in Canada. He has recorded several albums and has been nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award and multiple Maple Blues Awards. Besides performing with the Silver Screen Scoundrels, Brandon also performs as a "One Man Band", and with other musical friends. His most recent album was with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and Tim Williams. What separates Brandon from the rest of the pack is his ability to connect with and involve the audience.

Keith Picot plays bass with passion and backs up Brandon on vocals. He has won a Maple Blues Award for Best Bass Player in Canada and has performed with many other artists including Western Canada's Best Rockabilly Band, Cousin Harley who thrilled enthusiastic fans at Horizon Stage in 2015. Off stage, you can find Keith at his "Hek's Half Acre Silent Film Studio" where he writes, produces, and directs silent films.

Re-live the classic silent film era with a modern twist. Don’t miss The Silver Screen Scoundrels at Horizon Stage on Thursday, February 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for all ages and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

An impressive multi-sensory experience was enjoyed by those who attended… Brandon Isaak and Keith Picot had the audience rolling with laughter with their candid humour and interaction… It’s a show that shouldn’t be missed.”
- Quesnel Observer

They are a modern portal back through time, down the telegraph wires of entertainment. Their show is more than a tribute concert to a bygone era. It is a multimedia, multisensory mashup of movies on a screen
that help tell the story of the music on the stage.”
- Prince George Citizen

"The Silver Screen Scoundrels' free-wheeling, lively, energetic multi-media performance of blues and roots music was a real  delight
- School District 57 Cultural Committee Artist Contact

Friday, January 12, 2018

Tribute to Heart and Pat Benatar Will Thrill 80s Rock Music Lovers

Horizon Stage Presents Women Who Rock on Saturday, February 3


80s rock music lovers rejoice! Horizon Stage is excited to present Women Who Rock, a remarkable concert that melds together two incredible tribute shows: Barracuda - The Essential Tribute to Heart, and All Fired Up - The Pat Benatar Experience. Put on your jelly bracelets, neon leg warmers, shoulder pads, and acid wash Guess jeans and tease your hair until it’s huge then rock the night away at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 3.

Barracuda hails from Vancouver, BC, where they perform the music of Heart with style, presence, and a true passion for the songs that have become beloved classics to fans worldwide. The group is led by D.L .Car (Almost Ann), a four-octave vocal powerhouse and dedicated Ann Wilson purist. Donna's talents also extend to the flute and the guitar, fully authenticating the Ann Wilson persona. D.L. is supported by the multi-talented Layla Vaugeois (Nearly Nancy) who is from Edmonton and is the daughter of Rocko Vougeois of One Horse Blue. Layla brings her love for the music of Heart to life with her guitar and vocals. D.L. and Layla have an electric chemistry on stage. Both are fully dedicated to recreating the experience that is Heart, covering hits such as "Crazy on You", "Magic Man", "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You", and "Stranded".

All Fired Up - The Pat Benatar Experience is an exact and precise tribute to the iconic singer Benatar and her partner Neil Geraldo who have been rock n' roll mainstays for over 40 years. D.L .Car has been singing Benatar’s songs for 30 years. Not only does she nail the vocals she also has the stage presence dialed in as she performs such classic songs as “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”, “Heartbreaker”, “Love is a Battlefield”, and “Treat Me Right”.

Backing Barracuda and All Fired Up are three professionally seasoned musicians, Ray Roper, Curtis Michael Leippi, and Kevin Stuart Swain, who are dedicated to providing an authentic musical experience heard in the subtle nuances and rock solid delivery of their performances. With Heart's 2013 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Benatar’s 2016: We Live For Love Tour with Melissa Etheridge, the music of both artists has maintained its popularity. Demand for quality tribute shows like Barracuda - The Essential Tribute to Heart, and All Fired Up - The Pat Benatar Experience has never been higher. And these two shows have been  delighting audiences from coast to coast, across North America, with their tributes to three of the most legendary ladies of 80s rock and, arguably, of all time.

“Rock On” young people of the 80s! Re-live your youth with The Women Who Rock at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for Adults and $35 for Students and Seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

A Rare Opportunity to Hear James Gordon and Sons in Concert

Horizon Stage is Pleased to Present Esteemed Canadian Folk Musician on Friday, February 2


When you get to experience a James Gordon and Sons concert, you get much more than just a ‘family band’, you get a fascinating hybrid of musical influences that makes for a unique and enjoyable evening. Evan and Geordie Gordon grew up playing along with their dad and his “Canadian Roots Music,” and they can be heard on most of his albums over the last 15 years. Often hired as a team since they play so many instruments, they tend to “rock James up” a bit and James tends to “Folkify them” when they are helping him with his material, so the result is always entertaining. It is getting to be too rare an opportunity to hear the three Gordons play together. Geordie and Evan are so busy with their own projects that have them touring throughout North America and Europe that their poor dad doesn’t get to entice them out onto the road as much. It’s for this reason that Horizon Stage is excited to be presenting James Gordon and Sons on Friday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.

James’ most recent album on Borealis records “Sunny Jim” was produced by Evan and it reached #2 on the Canadian Roots Music Charts. The “boys” will be performing works from this project in their upcoming shows, and exploring the remarkable 40-album James Gordon back-catalogue of songs dealing with the Canadian landscape, heritage and identity, along with his popular works dealing with social justice and environmental issues, and they’ll dip into his collection of just plain silly songs from Gordon’s years as songwriter-in-residence on CBC’s “Basic Black” radio show.

As a songwriter, James is known for such diverse songs as “Harvest Train”, "Sweaters for Penguins" and "Frobisher Bay", which has been recorded by more than 100 different artists worldwide, and has become a standard for choirs everywhere. Other artists including Cowboy Junkies, Melanie Doane, Al Simmons, and James Keelaghan have covered James’ songs.

If you’re a “folkie”, a “rootsie”, or even a “rockie” you don’t want to miss this a one-of-a-kind, hard to come by, sure to be entertaining, concert by James Gordon and Sons at Horizon Stage on Friday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for Adults and $30 for Students and Seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online at ticketpro.ca.

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

If You Love Frank, Dean, or Sammy, When You’re Smiling Is For You

Tim Tamashiro’s New Show Celebrates the Rat Pack’s Friendships, Songs, and Stories


Three best friends: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr were the lead members of the Rat Pack; a group of entertainers centered on the Las Vegas casino scene in the 1960s. Tim Tamashiro’s new show, When You’re Smiling, is a tribute to the Rat Pack that celebrates their friendship, songs, and stories. Learn more about how Frank, Dean, and Sammy lived the high life, faced racism and gangsters, and sang incredible music. Get to know three of the most talented rascals to ever don tuxedos, through Tim Tamashiro, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Tim Tamashiro is one of Canada's most trusted voices in jazz. He graced airwaves nationally on CBC Radio 2’s Tonic for ten years, starting as the weekend host in 2007 and taking over full hosting duties six nights a week in 2012. An Alberta boy through and through, Tim grew up in Blackfalds, graduated from the Music Program at Red Deer College, worked in Edmonton, and now resides in Calgary with his wife and two children.

As an executive entertainer, Tim has sung for businesses, prime ministers, world leaders, and royalty; including Queen Elizabeth. In the 80s he co-founded the rock band The Mile High Club and in the 90s he was a member of jazz group The Swinging Bovines. Tim has released four CDs, including his most recent, Drinky, in 2016. He is also a keynote speaker.  Tim recently dove head first into the world of digital storytelling by starting a YouTube channel that focuses on living and learning, and a weekly podcast called “Hit Story” that tells the fascinating tales behind hit songs and the people who create them. Tim’s a bit of a music history buff…

When You’re Smiling is a replacement for Tim’s originally scheduled concert with Tommy Banks who has had to bow out of their tour for health reasons. Three musicians - playing base, piano, and drums - will join Tim onstage to help him showcase this ingenious time in music’s history - the era of the Rat Pack.

Enjoy an evening of great songs, cold drinks, and bad jokes with Tim Tamashiro’s When You’re Smiling at Horizon Stage on Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for Adults and $30 for Students and Seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

“When You’re Smiling the Whole World Smiles With You”
- Louis Armstrong (Recorded by Dean Martin in 1953)