HIP-HOP HIPPIES AND A TIP-TOP FIDDLER
I really hope none of you have to go to the mall this weekend. It’s going to be crazy.
It’s honestly astounding that we can see the holiday season a whole year in advance (since it happens with what I’d call regularity every December), and yet still leave it to the very last possible weekend to go out and buy gifts.
If you don’t have to go to the mall, don’t. Watch a movie, bake cookies, or go to one of the awesome concerts this week. There are lots of shows this weekend, not just Christmas concerts, so take advantage.
There won’t be crazy crowds pushing to buy a new Nintendo at the Capitol Music Club, if you get what I mean.
PARAB POET AND
THE HIP HOP HIPPIES
When: Friday, Dec. 20
Where: Capitol Music Club
What: Sometimes it’s hard to put my finger on why some groups are just spectacular. Parab Poet and the Hip Hop Hippies produce, without a doubt, some of the best and most unique music Saskatoon has to offer. The unique blend of hip-hop beats and rapping with more traditional instruments like trumpet and strings gives them a very organic, almost “folksyrap” sound. It doesn’t seem like it should work, but these are some of the coolest tunes you’ll hear in the province, and this group is definitely worth seeing live, if you can spare the time.
KARRNNEL & FRIENDS
When: Saturday, Dec. 21
Where: The Bassment
What: Karrnnel is one of the best fiddle players you will ever hear. If you have ever thought the fiddle isn’t a fun instrument, he’ll change your mind. The Saskatchewan fiddle virtuoso plays music throughout the folk and jazz genres and takes his playing to a whole new level. Not that it should be any sort of surprise, he has been playing since he was a child. And he’s a great fiddle composer, with hundreds of songs to his name. He’s also fantastic to watch live onstage, so that’s a big plus. They’re all big pluses. Karrnnel is a brilliant performer in every aspect.
And here’s the holiday concert highlight of the week: A HOLLY, JOLLY, HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS
When: Dec. 20
Where: Amigos Cantina
What: Starring the musical talents of Saskatoon’s own
Dan Julien, Amigos will host a high-energy, jazzy/folksy/ pop-filled Christmas concert. Julien and some local musicians will take the stage for a late-night holiday show for all of the folks who like a big party to go along with their Christmas cheer. Julien’s vocals are slick, smooth, and perfectly suited to the oldschool jazz crooner style, but he’s got way more than that in the singing tool box.