Box Office: 780-962-8995 315 Jespersen Ave., Spruce Grove Theatre: 1001 Calahoo Rd., Spruce Grove 2019-2020 SEASON horizonstage.com You may notice this year’s cover looks a little bit retro. That’s because we have included a selection of performances designed to take you back in time, at least for a little while. And we’re sorry, but no we can’t make your hair grow back. There is classic country, old-school rock’n’roll, and instrumental music from centuries past. We have vintage tunes from some of the smoothest eras, an iconic Canadian writer, and tucked in among these, we are very happy to support new music, physical theatre for young audiences, and an intimate look at the art of song writing. We have performances of old favourites and new experiences; some will be fun and some thought-provoking; others will be informative or giggle- inducing. We have gathered all this in one space for your enjoyment, and all you have to do is make your own selections. We are, as always, grateful for your support of live performing arts. It can be a tough business to be in, so you can be assured those who are in it are passionate about their craft. Thank you for turning off the TV, putting down your devices, and venturing out of your homes. Thank you for bringing your kids, your neighbours, and your friends to our space. Simply put, thank you for making us part of your lives. Welcome to Horizon Stage, Up Close and Personal. Brandi Watson, Theatre Manager DID YOU KNOW: • Sales in the lobby – concession, bar, and artist merchandise – are CASH ONLY. • Do we have your email address? You’ll get reminders about your upcoming shows, and our e-newsletter, On the Horizon. • Gift Certificates are available in any dollar amount, and are valid for Horizon Stage season performances only. • Horizon Stage can be rented for your special event - seminars, guest speakers, community concerts, and weddings. All rentals include technical assistance, lighting, and sound. Call 780-962-7631. • Assisted Hearing Devices and Disposable Ear Plugs are available free of charge for use at performances. Ask a staff member or volunteer for assistance. CONTACT US City Hall Ticket Centre, 315 Jespersen Avenue, Spruce Grove Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 780-962-8995 Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre, 1001 Calahoo Road horizonstage.com SEASON AT-A-GLANCE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 9 SEPTEMBER: 20 Nice Horse 21 Lloyd Spiegel 28 Christine Hanson’s The Cremation of Sam McGee OCTOBER: 5 Kenny Hess: The Songs That Wrote Country Music 8 Terzettto 22 Jimmy Rankin NOVEMBER: 2 Red Dirt Skinners 7 Jake’s Gift 9 Christopher Hall and the Comic Quartet 21-23 Horizon Players: Arsenic and Old Lace 30 Mac Daddy: The Fleetwood Mac Experience DECEMBER: 7 Nadeau Ensemble: A Prairie Christmas 14 A Night of Strictly Business…Christmas Business JANUARY: 11 Rythmo! 16 Tease and Tassels Workshop 17 Cheesecake Burlesque Revue 25 Ken Lavigne: Three Knights with a Tenor 27 Rattle and Strum 28 Exultation FEBRUARY: 1 Tiny Islands 6 Ben Crane 15 A Touch of Cole 22 The Abrams MARCH: 7 Singer Songwriter Night with Ryan Langlois 20 Billy McGuigan’s Rock Legends 22 The Slocan Ramblers APRIL: 17 BOOM starring Rick Miller 30 Horizon Players: Nunsense, A Musical Comedy MAY: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 Horizon Players: Nunsense, A Musical Comedy 22 Going Wild with Brian Keating *Programming subject to change without notice WHERE TO FIND: Our Sponsors and Volunteers: page 29 Ticket and Theatre information: page 30 - 31 Seating map and venue location: pages 32- 33 1 Nice Horse Friday, September 20 - 7:30 p.m. Country Music Nice Horse is what happens when four bold, brilliant, and badass women get together to raise a little hell—and play a little music at the same time. This Alberta-based band is out to turn the tables on the country music world and show the guys that they can rock—and party—just as hard. Sure, there are plenty of strong female country artists in Daisy Dukes out there, but try to name another self-contained unit that plays their own instruments and writes songs as potent as the new feminist anthem “Mansplainin’” and the band’s roof-raising single “Pony Up.” They’ve had their share of surprised reactions as well from people unaccustomed to seeing an all-female rockin’ country band, but they manage to take those in stride with their infectious humour. It’s partly to be expected when you’re breaking new ground, and in some ways the women of Nice Horse see themselves following in the platform-heeled footsteps of the Spice Girls by offering their own version of Girl Power, albeit with a rootsy twist. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a good time, Nice Horse is more than willing to take you along for the ride. Tickets: $35 Adults, $30 Students & Seniors nicehorsemusic.com 2 Lloyd Spiegel Saturday, September 21 – 7:30 p.m. Blues Music Multi-award winning Australian artist Lloyd Spiegel returns to Canada delivering a unique solo concert experience. Blending jaw-dropping guitar chops with a commanding voice, powerful songwriting, storytelling and comedy, it’s no wonder that he’s described as an “Oz Roots & Blues Icon” by Rolling Stone Australia. Spiegel is a trailblazer in his field and one of his country’s most recognized players, recently being named in Australian Guitar Magazine’s list of the 50 greatest Australian guitarists of all time. Spiegel has toured the globe with frequent visits to Europe, New Zealand, and the United States where he has performed at major festivals, theatres, and iconic juke joints as well as supporting the likes of Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, and Etta James on tour. He has sat with the founding fathers of modern blues from Brownie McGhee to Luther Allison and more recently, found great success in Japan, performing sold out concerts at Tokyo Disneyland. Lloyd’s live show is about his connection with his audience, giving people a couple of hours off, and having them leave with a smile on their face. Tickets: $35 Adults, $30 Students & Seniors lloydspiegel.com 3 Christine Hanson’s The Cremation of Sam McGee Saturday, September 28 Activities in the lobby starting at 6 p.m. Performance at 7:30 p.m. Multi-Disciplinary Celebration This awe-inspiring visual arts and live music performance is based on Robert Service’s famous poem, set in the snow-bound north, which first appeared in Service’s books of poems, Songs of a Sourdough, published in 1907. Christine Hanson’s wonderful musical compositions accompany what is probably Service’s best-known poem. The show enhances the poetry’s different colours, nuances, tones, and ranges. Varying from traditional jigs, reels, and country waltzes to southern swing and frosty musical soundscapes, she perfectly evokes the bizarre, tragicomic setting of the poetry. The seven musicians and a narrator are lovingly backed by slides featuring the eye-catching artwork of renowned artist Ted Harrison. Join Horizon Stage, the Spruce Grove Public Library, and the Allied Arts Council of Spruce Grove as we celebrate Alberta Culture Days. Activities in the lobby will include Alberta Indigenous storytelling and an Alberta landscapes visual arts exhibit. Tickets: Free for Alberta Culture Days - Limit 4 per transaction Does not count toward discount package total cremationofsammcgee.com 4 Kenny Hess: The Songs That Wrote Country Music Saturday, October 5 - 7:30 p.m. Classic Country Music Enjoy the songs that made the legends and the stories behind those songs, performed by country music hall-of-famer Kenny Hess and his award-winning band. Born in small-town Saskatchewan, Kenny Hess cut his teeth singing the songs of Charlie Pride, Kris Kristofferson, and George Jones. Fast forward a few years as Kenny established his multi-award- winning career opening for the likes of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson. Creating The Songs That Wrote Country Music was a truly natural process for him that evolved out of his deep and abiding love for classic country music and his behind-the-scenes industry glimpses – from backstage green rooms to Nashville’s Music Row writer’s rooms and all the stops in between. Kenny has now created an extraordinarily entertaining show, based on the songs that grew the roots of country music, and the impact of those iconic songwriters and artists on a genre that continues to flourish today. Tickets: $40 Adults, $35 Students & Seniors kennyhess.com Last seen at Horizon Stage in 2003 5 TerZettto Tuesday, October 8 - 6:30 p.m. Physical Theatre Three doors, three chairs, three wooden boards... One light bulb... In this timeless setting, the very different worlds of three clowns will collide. Gradually forgetting their own individuality, they build rapport around what they hold most dear: their playfulness, their ‘joie de vivre’ and an uncontrollable imagination. Struggling with their own silliness and enthusiasm, which sometimes prevent them from seeing further than the tips of their toes, they meet, size each other up, experience some friction, and create new bonds based on their unique abilities. For one, it is the flexibility of their body; for another, it is the pleasing tone of their voice; for the last, it is the sheer excess of their constructions. Through various scenes forged with humour and flair, this performance examines the topic of human relationships. It inspires playfulness, joy, and—most of all—lots of laughter, as these three clowns have a few tricks up their sleeves. Tickets: $12 All Ages - Not eligible for discount, does not count toward discount package total Recommended Age: 5 years and up Running Time: Approx.