10 TO DO
Lisa Loeb, Ice Castles and a Deep Freeze
ICE CASTLES A magical winter season deserves a magical frozen kingdom, and that’s what we’ve gotten in the Ice Castle, which has just opened in Hawrelak Park. Crafted by hand, using icicles and water to resemble frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and caves, the Ice Castle is truly a beauty to behold, especially at night. Always a popular attraction, it’s best (and cheapest) to book in advance online, though there are tickets at the gate. When: Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
Where: Hawrelak Park
Admission: $9.95 to $20, available online or at the gate. Info: icecastles.com
WINSPEAR OVERTURE Ever wanted to have a look around the Winspear when nobody was about? That probably won’t ever happen, but the folks at one of the city’s finest venues invite you to come around for a noon hour look at the backstage workings of the building, as well as listen to a few speakers on the history of both the Winspear and the ESO. If you can’t make it this Friday, check back; there are tours happening a few times a month.
When: Friday, Jan. 12 at noon Where: Winspear Centre
Admission: Free; reserve your spot at the website.
Info: winspearcentre.com
MOTORCYCLE AND ATV SHOW Get a look at the latest makes and models of motorcycles, scooters, and ATVs at this year’s Motorcycle and ATV Show, at the Edmonton Expo Centre. New products and accessories will be featured, as well as an extreme MX Freestyle show, riding academy for the kids, and celebrity racers and much more. Check out the website for more details.
When: Friday, Jan. 12, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave.
Admission: $15, adults; $12, seniors; $11, juniors. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. Available at the door or from the website. Info: edmontonmotorcycleshow.ca
LISA LOEB Her biggest hit was her very first, but Lisa Loeb hasn’t rested on her laurels since Stay (I Missed You) hit the charts back in 1994. The singer-songwriter has released children’s albums (Camp Lisa; Lisa Loeb’s Silly Singalong), musical theatre soundtracks (Camp Kappawanna), acted in television shows and films (Community, Hot Tub Time Machine 2), and even written books and plays. The bespectacled multitalent is in town with her latest record, Lullaby Girl, released in October.
When: Friday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert
Admission: $42, available from the box office or in advance from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
DANNY MICHEL Danny Michel doesn’t like to be pigeonholed. The Ontario-born singer-songwriter has taken turns at power-pop, world music, covering David Bowie songs, even classical-based music on his latest effort, Khlebnikov. Written and recorded in collaboration with film composer Rob Carli while on-board a Russian icebreaker, Khlebnikov was a critical success, picking up a couple of Canadian Folk Music Awards in the process.
When: Friday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. Where: Myer Horowitz Theatre, 8900 114 St.
Admission: $26, available at the door or in advance from Ticketfly Info: ticketfly.com
BEAR GRILLZ Probably the last thing you want to see when you head out for a night of clubbing is a man in a bear costume working the DJ decks with light streaming from his eyes and mouth. Actually, no, strike that; the one thing that you actually do want to see is a man in a bear costume working the decks with light streaming from his eyes and mouth. Bear Grillz is just that bear-man, and he’s here in town showing why his species is capable of much more than just stealing pic-a-nic baskets. When: Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9 p.m. Where: Union Hall, 6240 99 St.
Admission: $20, available at the door or in advance from Ticketfly
Info: ticketfly.com
DEEP FREEZE Celebrating the icy depths of the season, the Deep Freeze Byzantine Winter Festival takes place in the great outdoors along 118th Avenue, with plenty of family fun for everyone. Axe and knife throwing competitions, an ice kingdom, curling, tobogganing, wagon rides, round dance, and a street hockey tournament are among the many events you can check out or participate in, but you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to warm up inside as well while watching bands at various venues. Check the website for more info.
When: Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday, Jan. 14, noon to 10 p.m.
Where: 118 Ave., between 90 and 95 Street
Admission: Free Info: deepfreezefest.ca
RAMBLIN’ AMBASSADORS Formed on a dare well over a decade ago, the Ramblin’ Ambassadors have gone on to become a bedrock of the Calgary instrumental surf-garage rock scene. Granted, it’s a small scene, but they rule it, just as they rule ours when they come up for one of their periodic visits, playing songs from their three Mint Records releases, all of which come with nifty vintage car photos on their covers. Guaranteed to blast you out of your winter blues. When: Saturday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. Where: Black Dog Freehouse, 10425 Whyte Ave.
Admission: Free Info: facebook.com
TARDIF AND ADMIRAL They’ve ranged far and wide in their musical careers, performing as far as Austria, Switzerland, and South Korea, but violinist Guillaume Tardif and pianist Roger Admiral always make it home for their Violinissimo concerts at the U of A. They’re on the third of the series, which features works transcribed or composed by violinists. This time the duo will be selecting pieces that range from baroque to 20th century, salon era gems and more.
When: Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Convocation Hall, Old Arts Building, University of Alberta
Admission: $9.52 to $19.05, available at the door or in advance from the University of Alberta website Info: ualberta.ca
CENTURY OF TRADITION If you’re of Czech or Slovak heritage then 2018 is a special year for you. It’s the 100th anniversary of independence after the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences of Alberta are promising activities all through the next 12 months to celebrate this fact. First up is a concert called A Century of Tradition, with pianist Jan Krejcar performing Czech music and its inspirations, including Pavel Haas, Leos Janacek, Chopin, and J.S. Bach.
When: Sunday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. Where: Muttart Hall, Alberta College, 10050 MacDonald Drive
Admission: $20, general; $15, students. Available by calling 780-435-8817
Info: psjelen@interbaun.com Ten to Do is compiled and written by Tom Murray. If you are co-ordinating an event you want featured here, email the information to arts@ edmontonjournal.com.