Fort Macleod’s Empress Theatre presents eclectic lineup for new Centre Stage series

Southern Alberta’s favourite vintage venue is presenting a diverse collection of Canadian talent for its Centre Stage Concert Series this season.

The Empress Theatre is hosting a series of six concerts running September through March.

• September 29 – Rose Cousins;

• October 11 – Jim Byrnes;

• November 2 – Barney Bentall and the Caribou Express ;

• January 26, 2019 – Harry Manx;

• February 22, 2019 – Red Moon Road;

• March 29, 2019 – Up on Cripple Creek ; Empress programming director John Wort Hannam was looking for a wide-ranging mix of acts to include in the lineup.

“This year’s series includes blues, pop, soul, country/roots and even a little world music,” he says.

“There are solo performers, duos and full bands. We’re bringing in some veterans of the Canadian performing arts scene, like Barney Bentall, but we also wanted to highlight some newer acts like Winnipeg’s Red Moon Road.”

Centre Stage 2018/2019 concert subscriptions are on sale until Aug. 31 and cost $180 for all six shows ($30 per show). Individual show tickets are $37.50 and will become available Sept. 1, 2018.

About the artists Rose Cousins

Juno-winning Cousins’ evocative folk-pop songs and clear, soaring vocals have earned this megatalented musician numerous professional accolades while also being featured in several TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Nashville and Heartland.

Cousins, who lives in Halifax, has released four full- length albums, most recently the Junonominated Natural Conclusion.

Jim Byrnes

Byrnes is a multi-talented blues musician, guitarist and actor. He won the 2014 Maple Blues Award for

Best Male Vocalist for his album I Hear the Wind in the Wires and was a 2011 Juno winner (Blues Album of the Year for Everywhere West.

His smoky vocals and intense blues-guitar have made him legendary on his frequent tours across North America and Europe.

Barney Bentall and the Caribou Express

Pop/rock singer-songwriter Bentall is bringing together this Old West-inspired troupe featuring some of Canada’s finest roots and country musicians: his son Dustin Bentall, Kendel Carson, Ridley Bent, Leeroy Stagger, Wendy Bird and Matt Masters. Together they host fundraising concerts in cities throughout Western Canada.

This show is in support of the Empress Theatre. Harry Manx Manx’ unique blend of folk, blues and classical music is performed on his signature 20-stringed Indian instrument, a mohan veena.

In 2017 he released his fifteenth album, Faith Lift, and has received many awards throughout his career, including seven Maple Blues Awards, six Juno nominations, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Solo Artist, and CBC Radio’s Great Canadian Blues Award.

Red Moon Road

This energetic folk-rock trio is comprised of equal parts polished songwriting, undeniable musicianship, compelling storytelling and engaging showmanship.

Their impeccable three-part harmonies tell stories with a much bigger sound than one would expect from a trio.

Their latest album, Sorrows and Glories, toured through seven countries, was Polaris Prize longlisted and spent six weeks at number one on national folk/roots charts.

Up on Cripple Creek: The Songbook of “The Band”

Up on Cripple Creek covers the musical landscape created by The Band. This critically acclaimed show is comprised of Western Canadian roots music veterans whose collective resume includes long associations with k.d. lang’s reclines, Ian Tyson, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival House Band, John Lee Hooker, and Amos Garrett.

Centre Stage tickets and subscriptions are available by calling 403-553-4404 (toll-free at 1800-5409229) or by dropping by the Box Office on Main Street.