Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
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ImperialMERMAID Performing Arts Centre FEATURING LENNIE GALLANT FALL | WINTER 2019 SEASON ImperialMERMAID Performing Arts Centre MERMAID IMPERIAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE presents innovative performance through new voices and various mediums, curates diverse professional Canadian artists that capture a wide-range of demographics and generations, provides both a platform of performance and mentorship opportunities for emerging Canadian artists, and promotes a new culture of arts patronage for youths through presenting relevant and engaging work. Roland Smith SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH, 7:30PM Hailing from Hants County, Nova Scotia, guitar virtu- Roland’s debut album Equilibrium (2018) could be oso and composer Roland Smith is garnering a described as Steve Vai meets flamenco meets reputation as a dynamic performer and recording John Williams. He is now focusing on bringing to the artist, with an explosive live show and a unique stage his live show featuring a full band and special brand of Latin/nuevo flamenco fused with rock and guests. classical crossover. As an orchestral composer, Roland’s Concerto for Roland first took up guitar at the age of six, inspired Guitar and Orchestra premiered in 2019 with the by the image of Elvis on one of his grandparents’ composer as soloist. Other premieres include cassette tapes. Through his formative years, works for symphony orchestra, chamber music, and Roland’s devotion to the instrument would become accompaniments to ballet and film. Roland was ever more obsessive, to the point of often practis- awarded the prize for Best Tonal Music at the 2017 ing eight hours a day during his adolescence. He International Antonín Dvořák Composition Compe- was also hired to perform as lead tition held in Prague, Czech Republic, of which he guitarist in local bands as early as age twelve. has been a two-time finalist. Roland is the receipeint of Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre’s emerging artist initiative which provides a platform for Nova Scotia rising stars. $23 (includes service fees & taxes) Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin’ Tom SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 7:30PM Since 1977, Whiskey Jack has become one of the He was a passionate activist for Canadian music most celebrated Roots, Country, Bluegrass band in and culture, going so far as to return six Juno Canadian music history, with nine critically Awards in protest of what he saw as the organiza- acclaimed recordings, nationally charted radio hits, tion’s favouring of expatriate Canadians over those country Music Awards nominations, Duncan Frem- with only domestic success. He received Lifetime lin's new book, and My Good Times With Stompin' Achievement Awards from the East Coast Music Tom - 2019. Awards, the Toronto Musician’s Union and SOCAN. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and For 40 years Whiskey Jack has been performing inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.” their unique brand of Canadian country music - Betty Nygaard King, Richard Green; coast to coast. In the 1980's, they were featured The Canadian Encyclopedia. weekly on CBC TV's Tommy Hunter Show. Watch- ing the Whiskey Jack segment (The Ol' Back Porch) $35 (includes service fees & taxes) every Friday night, a retired Stompin' Tom Connors would become an avid Whiskey Jack fan, enjoying Recordings: the humour and the amazing musicianship, along with 2 million of his fellow Canadians. Rhymes and Good Times (2019) Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom (2014) When Stompin' Tom resumed his career after 13 Weenie Men (2009 Children's CD) years away, he called Whiskey Jack and invited WhiskeyJackMusic.com (2006 CD) them to join him in the studio to record his Skin & Bones (2005) acclaimed album, "Dr. Stompin' Tom... Eh?". These Dr. Stompin Tom Connors eh? (1993) two Canadian musical institutions would continue Whiskey Jack (1983, Masterdisc Records) to perform and record often together until Tom's One More Time (1981, Boot Records) death in 2014. Those years with Stompin' Tom were Uptown (1979, Uptown Records) the seeds that blossomed into the show they tour Radio and Television: with today, Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom. CBC's Canada Day Celebration,1993 The Tommy Hunter Show (CBC) "Stompin’ Tom", Charles Thomas Connors, OC, The Alan Thicke Show (CTV) singer-songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler was born on Morningside (CBC Radio) the 9th of February, 1936 in Saint John, NB and died Variety Tonight (CBC Radio) on the 6th of March 2013 in Ballinafad, ON. Stompin‘ Fire on the Mountain (Nashville,1984) Tom is one of the most iconic musicians in all of Ralph Emory (Nashville Network,1984) Canadian music history. Connors was a work- The Nashville Network (1984-1987) ing-class poet-musician and perhaps one of the Winners (CBC TV) most distinctive patriotic songwriters of Canada. Country West (CBC TV) Café Hibou (CBC TV) “Stompin’ Tom‘s traditional country songs about Canadian people and places — such as “Bud the Spud,” “Sudbury Saturday Night” and “Big Joe Mufferaw”— were humorous, patriotic and widely popular, and reflected his extensive travels through- out the country. A Taste of DEVOUR! In Windsor SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 6:00PM - 9:30PM The world’s largest food film fest expands to Wind- Jason Priestley, Anthony Bourdain, Jacques Pépin, sor NS. Come join Windsor and area food and Dominique Crenn, Sam Kass, Chuck Hughes, beverage suppliers, restaurants and businesses for Michael Städtlander, Normand Laprise, Michael food, film and fun. Winding its way through the Smith, John Higgins, Gordon Pinsent and Bill historic Imperial Theatre and the mesmerizing Pullman. Each year, a major icon kicks off the festivi- Mermaid Theatre workshops, taste, sip and savour ties and top chefs from across Canada and around what makes Windsor and area great. Enjoy short the world collaborate on special Gala Dinners. This films from the Devour Program. With generous year, Lidia Bastianich, award-winning chef, TV host, support from the Town of Windsor, The Nova Scotia restaurateur and author, will open the festival with Department of Communities Culture and Heritage her favourite food film of all time, Big Night. and local businesses, come on out for an evening of cinema, cuisine and camaraderie. Devour! challenges people to think differently and create a deeper connection to food through some The history of DEVOUR! - “Devour! The Food Film of the most engaging documentaries, dramas and Fest is a transformative food and film experience short films. The festival’s finely curated program combining cinematic excellence with extraordinary highlights current food trends and issues, farming, gastronomic activities. The annual six-day festival sustainability and the impact of current food hosts 100+ events, celebrated filmmakers and systems on our lives. Festival-goers delve deep high-profile chefs from around the globe. In 2018, into the world of food through original Devour! attracted almost 13,000+ food and film one-of-a-kind experiences, from interactive indus- lovers to Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. The festival try sessions with high-profile guests, to cooking has become a destination for celebrities and nota- demos, foraging adventures, plus film and photog- ble chefs including raphy workshops.” - Devourfest.com $20 (excludes service fees & taxes) available at devourfest.com after September 9, 2019 Terra Spencer / The Bombadils SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 7:30PM Winter Songs Concert - In 2018, Terra and The Bridging folk and Americana, Terra's newfound Bombadils met during a Songwriters' Circle at the passion for storytelling through songs has led to a Deep Roots Festival in Wolfville, where they came busy year of solo shows throughout Nova Scotia, together onstage for a spontaneous version of and the recent release of her debut record, Other Terra's song Cotton Mill. The combination of Terra's People’s Lives. Produced near her home in Windsor storytelling and the Bombadils' strong harmonies with longtime friend Jake Smith, the album weaves and sophisticated strings left a mark on the secretive stories with lyrical twists, gentle guitar, audience and performers, inspiring new collabora- gospel piano, and Terra's warm, intimate voice. tions. True to its title, Winter Songs is a unique presentation of original and reimagined songs, About The Bombadils - Nova Scotian maritimer capturing the frosty chill and fireside stories of the Luke Fraser and Alberta prairie-girl Sarah Frank season, told with the warmth of new friendship create beautiful harmonies and enchanting melo- between two of Nova Scotia's premier folk acts. dies with old folk songs, poetry, and original songs in a Canadian folk and contemporary bluegrass About Terra Spencer - Terra Spencer takes the odd framework. Luke’s guitar, mandolin, and harmonies break from her day job as a funeral director in Hants are the ideal counterpoint to Sarah’s County, Nova Scotia to tour with acclaimed country sweet-yet-powerful vocals, lyrical fiddle and musician Ryan Cook, winning over new audiences clawhammer banjo. Innovative arrangements give in Ontario, the UK, and Germany. their songs layer upon layer of sonically satisfying surprises. $27 (includes service fees & taxes) Theresa Malenfant & The Instigators SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 8:00PM “Raised in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Theresa grew up It was no surprise that in 1995 Theresa won The surrounded by a musically-talented family. When East Coast Music Award for Best Female Artist. Her she was quite young, her mother introduced her to next CD titled, “Little Girl Blue”, featured songs origi- the big band era of the 1940s. When she first nally performed by Janis Joplin. This project discovered the blues, she was so taken aback by brought her nominations for Female Artist of the the music; she would spend long hours listening to Year at the 1997 & 1998 Canadian Maple Blues the recordings of her favorite performers in order to Awards. In 1998, Theresa moved to Europe, where learn their techniques. she released “Piece of My Heart”, a compilation of songs from “Eye of the Hurricane” and “Little Girl At the age of fourteen, Theresa made her singing Blue”.