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Common – The Dreamer, The Believer

Common’s latest album The Dreamer, The Believer left me divided. I was impressed with the subject matter and by some of the alternative beats used à la Stones Throw Records (“Gold”). High intellect, philosophy, perspective, and word play are the pillars of Common’s success

common-the-dreamer-the-believer-cover_jpg_300x300_crop-smart_q851

Common – The Dreamer, The Believer

Common’s latest album The Dreamer, The Believer left me divided. I was impressed with the subject matter and by some of the alternative beats used à la Stones Throw Records (“Gold”). High intellect, philosophy, perspective, and word play are the pillars of Common’s success

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The Thaddeus Lake Music Foundation for Disadvantaged Children

On November 26th, 2011, in the early hours of the morning, my cousin Thaddeus Lake and his two friends Kole and Brad were headed home to rest when they were hit from behind by a drunk driver. All three boys – Thaddeus at

386414_151429324965269_151410928300442_231816_1323608268_n1
/ News

The Thaddeus Lake Music Foundation for Disadvantaged Children

On November 26th, 2011, in the early hours of the morning, my cousin Thaddeus Lake and his two friends Kole and Brad were headed home to rest when they were hit from behind by a drunk driver. All three boys – Thaddeus at

Current Swell. Photo credit: Shane Deringer

Current Swell Brings Familiar Show Back to Edmonton

February 3 at The Starlite Room (Headliner: Charlie Winston, opener: Current Swell) Tickets are $24.75 and are available through Union Events. I’ve heard some pretty wild stories about Current Swell’s hometown shows, however I thought I’d learn what expect from

Current Swell. Photo credit: Shane Deringer

Current Swell Brings Familiar Show Back to Edmonton

February 3 at The Starlite Room (Headliner: Charlie Winston, opener: Current Swell) Tickets are $24.75 and are available through Union Events. I’ve heard some pretty wild stories about Current Swell’s hometown shows, however I thought I’d learn what expect from

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Three Sheet Cuts to the Core with Sheet Music

Three Sheet isn’t lying when they say they’re a “genre-blending powerhouse.” The Halifax-based hop-hop group combines their rhymes with jazzy backing vocals, psychedelic guitar lines, and ’90s melancholy on their new album, Sheet Music. It’s an unexpected combination, which is

original (1)

Three Sheet Cuts to the Core with Sheet Music

Three Sheet isn’t lying when they say they’re a “genre-blending powerhouse.” The Halifax-based hop-hop group combines their rhymes with jazzy backing vocals, psychedelic guitar lines, and ’90s melancholy on their new album, Sheet Music. It’s an unexpected combination, which is

jesse

Jesse Peters’ Face Time An Exuberant Display of Talent

If you’re looking for the kind of classy smooth jazz that hit its peak of popularity in the 50s and early 60s, then look no further than Jesse Peters‘ Face Time. Peters has a sultry jazz voice that would make the

jesse

Jesse Peters’ Face Time An Exuberant Display of Talent

If you’re looking for the kind of classy smooth jazz that hit its peak of popularity in the 50s and early 60s, then look no further than Jesse Peters‘ Face Time. Peters has a sultry jazz voice that would make the

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Smart Programming Makes a Concert

I admit it. I have not yet written a uniformly negative review about the classical music scene in Edmonton. Am I biased because I am happily a part of this scene? Probably. Am I scared to death that I have

shapeimage_2

Smart Programming Makes a Concert

I admit it. I have not yet written a uniformly negative review about the classical music scene in Edmonton. Am I biased because I am happily a part of this scene? Probably. Am I scared to death that I have

Kemal Gekic

An Act Of Courage: Kemal Gekic at the Winspear

Kemal Gekic is the kind of musician who would cause riots in a less polite culture than ours. From the moment his fingers touch the keys, the audience is on edge: his fortes are bolder than any other pianist, his

Kemal Gekic

An Act Of Courage: Kemal Gekic at the Winspear

Kemal Gekic is the kind of musician who would cause riots in a less polite culture than ours. From the moment his fingers touch the keys, the audience is on edge: his fortes are bolder than any other pianist, his

Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin

Symphony For Kids on Fire

A Wild Symphonic Ride was the usual cheery melee on Saturday, complete with singers, dancers, and noisy handmade rice-rattles. Led by Lucas Waldin, who is a stand-up comedian as well as the ESO resident conductor during the Symphony for Kids series,

Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin

Symphony For Kids on Fire

A Wild Symphonic Ride was the usual cheery melee on Saturday, complete with singers, dancers, and noisy handmade rice-rattles. Led by Lucas Waldin, who is a stand-up comedian as well as the ESO resident conductor during the Symphony for Kids series,

King-Muskafa

King Muskafa Brings Its Dance Party to Blues On Whyte

King Muskafa is a Reggae group working Blues on Whyte all this week. I ended up attending their first performance on Monday. It wasn’t very well attended, for obvious reasons. Firstly, it was a Monday night and the attendance at

King-Muskafa

King Muskafa Brings Its Dance Party to Blues On Whyte

King Muskafa is a Reggae group working Blues on Whyte all this week. I ended up attending their first performance on Monday. It wasn’t very well attended, for obvious reasons. Firstly, it was a Monday night and the attendance at

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Beauty and the Beast more beauty than beast

Entering Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium last Tuesday night felt like stepping into a ball by accident. Immediately I was surrounded by clouds of perfume, make up and glitter: little girls in posh dresses, nicely done hair with clips, tiaras and

belle_and_dane_agostinis_as_beast._photo_by_joan_marcus-1024x682

Beauty and the Beast more beauty than beast

Entering Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium last Tuesday night felt like stepping into a ball by accident. Immediately I was surrounded by clouds of perfume, make up and glitter: little girls in posh dresses, nicely done hair with clips, tiaras and