While water and flood worries weighed heavily on people’s heads last week, taking in live music is a great way to get your mind off your worries and your worries off your mind. So with that in mind, there are a couple great local benefits for the flood victims of the Calgary area.
The first big event is this Thursday, June 27. Local musician Dave McCann is organizing this event, taking place at CASA from 5-9 p.m.
There is an excellent slate of performers on the bill including country/ folk performers Shaela Miller, Karen Romanchuk, John Wort Hannam, plus Young Medicine, country/ roots act Rancho Deluxe, blues rock band Paul Kype and Texas Flood, Steve Foord of Redrum Triumph and Dave McCann.
The show begins at 5 p.m. admission is a suggested minimum donation of $10.
Another benefit concert is also in the works to help the victims of the floods in Calgary and High River. It will take place at the Smokehouse Bar and Grill, July 13 from noon until midnight. So far performers confirmed include Driving While Blind, Rawk Fist, Argus, Open 24/7, Undefined, Temple City, Young Medicine, Fox Eyes, Bruce Roome Band, Mandy Fox and Mark Hall. Five other bands will be determined. There will also be a silent auction. There will be a five dollar cover at the door plus donations of non-perishable food items, clothing and bedding. They are looking for items to auction off as well. All proceeds will be given to the Salvation Army. Contact Maggie Hall at 403-849-0354 to donate.
There are several other excellent shows worth taking in this week. One of the big events this week is Ex Fest— Battle of the bands, happening at Exhibition Park, Friday, June 28. The event begins at 5 p.m. Numerous local bands will be performing including psychedelic rock band Cosmic Charley, rock/ metal band Fox Eyes, metal bands Penitentz, Death Pledge and Lock N’ Load plus punk band The Ruby Plumes, family pop band Juarez, rock band Open 24/7, young metal band Shocked Standards and Fort Macleod based pop punk band Sophmore Jakes. Train Wreck will headline the show. Admission is five dollars in advance $10 at the gate.
Marq DeSouza returns home this week playing drums with Vancouver rock band Komodo Wagon. They play Jimmy’s Pub and Brasserie, June 29. There is no cover for the show, which begins at 8 p.m.
And if you like classic rock, Kenny Shields and Streetheart return to Average Joes for a pre-Canada Day party, June 30 at Average Joes. Tickets are $10. Streetheart are known for numerous ’70s and ’80s hits including “Tin Soldiers,” “Under My Thumb,” Snow White,” “Action,” “Hollywood” and many others.
If you just want to rock, Jonas and the Massive Attraction return to Lethbridge to plays Studio 54, June 28 with Age of Days. They just released their new CD “Live Out Loud.” Their previous CD spawned several hard rocking hits including the title track “Big Slice.” The show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $25.
For a little bit of blues, Nova Scotia based bluesman Morgan Davis is riding the rails again. He returns to the Owl Acoustic Lounge, June 29.
The Slice has a really diverse line up this week with Chicks with Picks featuring Carolyn Mark, Shaela Miller, Hank Pine and Lily Fawn and Brenna Lowrie on Monday, June 24.
The Slice gets funky with Five Alarm Funk playing humourous, horn powered funk and jazz music, June 26. Tickets for that show cost $20.
On the other hand if you like hip hop music, Canadian rap sensation Choclair hits the Slice stage, June 27. NKI-Louise, Strong V, Urban Voyce, Pyke and DJ Fuze are also on the bill. Tickets for the show cost $20.
For something completely different from that, if you ever wanted to hear what the Pretenders sounded like if they were from Australia, Jungal comes all the way from the Land Down Under to play the Slice with Faye Blais. They play energetic roots tinged rock and roll music. Admission is $10.
And last, but not least, for something heavy, Mr. Personal plus local metal band Death Pledge and garage rockers Chief Mountain return to the Slice, June 29.
Canada Day falls on a Monday so there will be a lot of music involved. The events at Henderson lake begin at 10 a.m. with the Hibikiya Taiko drummers. They will be followed by The Lethbridge Community Summer Band. Calgary funk/ celtic band Dr. Zoo performs at 12:40 p.m.
There are a variety of musical performers as well as several different dance companies performing throughout the day. Musicians include young metal band Shocked Standards, country pop singer Alyssa McQuaid, First Nations rock/ folk duo Young Medicine, country band Hurtin’, electro-pop band Stars from Streetlights, classic rock band Driving While Blind and Suite 33 who end the musical portion of the day at 10 p.m. before the fireworks at 11 a.m..
Dance groups include Expressions Dance, The Rocky Mountain Cloggers, Urban Beat, Extreme Cheer Sensation, the Ammena Dance Company and the Hungarian Dancers.
If you want to dance on Canada Day, Galt Gardens is all about DJs from noon-5 p.m. with Shesett Steez, Epineph, DJ Opie, Marty Funkhauser and Pottsay performing.
There is no charge for Canada Day events.
