The Edmonton Raga-Mala Music Society welcomed sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons to the Winspear Centre for a recital on March 10. For those unfamiliar with Indian classical music, this was a first-class introduction to the fretless, plucked instrument. For both the familiar and unfamiliar, this was an opportunity to see one of the superstars of the Indian classical tradition.

The first half of the evening featured Khan alone flanked by tabla players on each side of the stage. Following the intermission, the audience was treated to a lengthy performance by Khan’s two sons, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan. Each displayed dazzling technique as they took turns with solos, all supported by the tablas. The nearly three … Read More

The busy lobby of Sherwood Park’s Festival Place had the feeling, vibrancy and excitement of a cultural event, not a musical or comedic performance.  And, it turns out, that’s exactly what Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers’ show is about.  Now, being from Alberta — born and raised — I never once thought that I’d be outside of the cultural norm.  I understand that many cultures exist and we embrace them all wholeheartedly, but once every so often, you realize just how many people have re-located to Edmonton … Read More

Three  Shows  for  the  Price  of  One  to  Celebrate 
St.  Patrick’s  Day

Royal Canadian Legion, Norwood Branch

82 Street and 111 Avenue

Friday, March 4, 2011   8:00 p.m.

$25 cover admission

Local Celtic fiddler Lizzy Hoyt, accompanied by Keith Rempel on bass and guitarist Chris Tabbert, will be providing the middle set of a three-part St. Patrick’s Day celebration of all things Irish – especially the music.  She will be providing selections from her latest CD Home as well as a few traditional Irish folk classics.  Lizzy puts on a vibrant and energetic … Read More

Being the type of person who doesn’t particularly like the multitude of genres, sub-genres, and sub-sub-genres electronic-based music seems to have, I didn’t expect much from the the Glitch Mob’s Edit and his live set after checking it out online.  In fact, he seems very popular, but I don’t have a clue who he is — and I’m not sure what exactly that says.  Perhaps I am being judged as you read this; I do not care.  It was painfully obvious in many regards that most people were at Banff's Wild Bill’s to get their glitch on.

Opening MC, Black Rose, literally screamed and sometimes … Read More

As someone who grew up on Warner Brothers cartoons, I’ve always had a sublimal appreciation of the music that accompanies those brilliant cartoons. But not until Sunday, when I attended the ESO performance of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, have I fully appreciated just how great that music really was.

From the opening notes of "The Dance of the Comedians" — a tune, conductor and creator of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony George Daugherty informed us, was included in every Road Runner cartoon — I was smiling. That … Read More