It is a unique week for Lethbridge as things start to slow down for live music. There is everything from rocking country to indie rock and Christian folk music happening this week.
Unfortunately Vancouver indie pop trio We Are the City had to cancel the bulk of their tour due to ugly weather at the end of November including their long awaited return to this city, Dec. 3 when they were scheduled to play the Owl Acoustic Lounge. We Are the City were touring in support of their 2013 album “Violent” and their full length feature film of the same name.
However, punk accordionist Geoff Berner and Rae Spoon return to the Slice, Dec. 3 which is sure to be an amazing show. There is a $10 cover for that show as well.
For something more laid back, renown Christian folk singer Steve Bell returns to Lethbridge to play the First Baptist Church, Dec. 4. He is celebrating 25 years as a musician with a four disc book and box set including one CD of new material produced by Doc Walker and Crash Test Dummies’ Murray Pulver. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15.
Their is plenty of country and roots music this week.
The Lethbridge Folk Club has a special Friday night show at the Wolf’s Den (1502 - 2nd. Avenue South) on Dec. 5 featuring country musician Charlie Ewing and steel guitarist Bob Blair. As usual the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for non members and $20 for members. There are plenty of tickets still available for that show.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge brings back Saskatoon based country trio the Zachary Lucky trio to play some roots musician Dec. 6. And The Owl hosts local contry/ roots band Rancho Deluxe, Dec. 5.
If you like your country with more of a rock influence, Calgary band the Dungarees rock Casino Lethbridge Friday and Saturday. And Average Joes has a huge country rock show, Dec. 7 with Trevor Panczak and Rough Stock and Nashville based country influenced rock band Blackjack Billy. Blackjack Billy are all over Top 40 country radio with hits including “ Booze Cruise,” “ Run,” “Get Some”and “Blood, Sweat and Beer.” Tickets cost $20 in advance $25 at the door. The show begins at 8 p.m.
There are also a lot of indie pop shows this week. The big one is at the Slice, Dec. 6 with Calgary folk rock group Savk who placed in the Top 12 of the Alberta Peak Performance project this year. They will be joined by Sherwood Park’s the Ashley Hundred and fellow Calgarians Windigo.
The Slice has a special fundraiser for Womanspace on Dec. 5 featuring the music of Jolene Draper and Steve Martin plus Johnny Greenshields with Kurt Ciesla. Admission is $10 with half of the money going to Womanspace.
Early in the week, the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra will get you into the Christmas spirit with two shows at the Southminster United Church.
Christmas Stars features Vox Musica performing Handel’s beloved Christmas composition “Messiah” and Karl Jenkins’ “Stella Natalis.”
They perform at 3 p.m., Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.
There is an open mic at Jimmy’s Pub on Friday. They have turned their weekly open mics in to monthly acoustic jams.
If you think you can play guitar, prove it on Saturday at Inferno where there will be a guitar showdown, plus the music of local metal bands Hallow and Sacred Savage.
Inferno also has a free hip hop show, on Friday, Dec. 5 featuring Okotoks duo Natural Ensemble with Ghettosocks, Relic, DJ Jon Deck and Jeff Spec.. There is no cover for that show, which begins at 9 p.m.
