Carriage House Theatre running shows
Great! Summer has returned! Time for a road trip.
And it’s not far to Cardston or Fort Macleod to enjoy some of our seasonal entertainment offerings.
For many years, the Carriage House Theatre in Cardston has been reviving time-honoured shows from Broadway and beyond. This year’s lineup includes “Oklahoma!,” “Forever Plaid,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and the Disney show “Newsies – The Musical.”
They’re being staged in repertory style — one show today, a different one tomorrow — from Monday through Saturday until Aug. 22.
And they’re performed by a mixture of college students and community members, directed by Bill Simon (the first two) along with Rachelle Robinson (“Charlie Brown”) and Sheila Hague.
To select your favourite show, check the website: thecarriagehousetheatre.com or just
call 403-653-1000. *** And yes, it’s now the 32nd edition of South Country Fair at Fort Macleod.
There’s an amazing number of performers lined up for the three-day event, July 20-22.
Some of the familiar names include Shaela Miller, Kris Demeanor, Oh Susanna and — of course — John Wort Hannam. Check out the impressive list at
southcountryfair.com
It may be too late to reserve a spot for camping (again, check the website) but tickets are readily available online for one day or the whole festival. *** Back in the city, watch for the annual Bon Odori Japanese summer dance festival in Galt Gardens on July 14.
Taiko drumming, music and dancing, crafts — and of course Japanese food — are all part of the nocharge event, planned to start at 6 p.m.
Organizers explain Bon Odori is a Japanese Buddhist dance performed outdoors, in a circle around a raised platform decorated with lanterns — bring a camera!
It’s a dance of joy, as well as a time to remember and honour those who lived before us. All are welcome. *** And here’s a reminder that there’s more live outdoor entertainment in store July 30 to Aug. 1, during the second edition of the Wide Skies Music and Arts Festival in downtown Lethbridge. It’s presented by the folks at the Geomatic Attic, with advance information on the web. *** If you haven’t already taken it in, “The Tempest” is being staged all month, Thursdays and Fridays in Galt Gardens. Director DJ Gellatly has put a modern twist to the Shakespearean classic.
No-charge performances start at 7 p.m., and members of the city's Shakespeare in the Park organization suggest audience members bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. If there’s rain, they’ll move the performance across the street to The Gate.
And they’ll also be taking “The Tempest” to the university’s Coutts Centre near Nanton on July 22, and the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod on Aug. 4. *** Indoors (some days can become a little warm!) there’s a continuing series of summer films at Lethbridge libraries. At the Crossings branch, this month’s Tuesday night screenings include “Chef,” with dialogue in Hindi, on July 10 followed by “Lady Bird” on July 17, “Being 17” on July 24 and “A Girl Like Grace” on July 31. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Screenings will resume at the downtown library in August. *** Later this month, the Galt Museum has organized a guided visit to the impressive Blackfoot Crossing Interpretive Centre north of Milo. The chartered bus excursion is set for July 21, but all interested are asked to register by calling the Galt by July 14.
As a follow-up, the Galt will host Blackfoot cultural interpreter Blanche
Bruisedhead on July 31, when she explains the vital importance of the buffalo to the traditional Blackfoot way of life. Her talk is set for 1 p.m. *** Down in the Helen Schuler Nature Centre the focus will be on bats, July 20, when author Pamela McDowell shares readings from her new book, “Bats in Trouble!” Her 1 p.m. presentation will be followed by an opportunity to build your own bat house! *** You might also consider two more events later in the month. The fourth edition of the Southern Alberta Truck Expo and job fair is set for July 21, 9 am. to 5 p.m. at Exhibition Park, for all who want to see or learn more about the big rigs.
And the Windy Castle Medieval Fair returns to the Coyote Flats Pioneer Village near Picture Butte on July 28. *** Yes, we’ll have some lastminute reminders . . . before disappearing for a week.
The city’s annual Festival Latino — with live music, dancing, food vendors and a “cantina bar” — will run from noon to 9 p.m. today in Galt Gardens. It's designed to be a family-friendly event, and it’s free!
And the Centric Music Festival continues today with Lethbridgebased Opus 3 — violinist Airdrie
Robinson, cellist Christine Bootland and pianist John-Paul Ksiazek — performing at 2:30 p.m. in the library’s Theatre Gallery.
This evening, the 7:30 p.m. “Colour and Light” presentation at La Cite des Prairies will be an artist collaboration featuring members of Opus 3 along with Lethbridge mezzo-soprano
Camille Rogers and pianist Perri Lo.
On Sunday, a 2:30 p.m. presentation in the Theatre Gallery will offer further selections by Rogers, accompanied by Lo in “She Shines on the Earth.”
And during “Stories,” the festival finale set for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at La Cite, violinist
Andrew Wan will be accompanied by pianist Ryan
Kolodziej. Check for tickets at the door.