New fest brings live music back to downtown Regina
The live music and hospitality industries, which have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, are joining forces for a new festival that's set to debut this week at various locations in downtown Regina.
The Back to Live Music Festival runs from Thursday to Saturday at the following locations: Crave Kitchen + Wine Bar, The Cure Kitchen + Bar, The Fat Badger, and O'hanlon's Irish Pub.
“Many people have been missing evenings out with the excitement of live musical performances,” the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District said in a media release. “Now that things are opening up again, downtown restaurant owners want to celebrate and invite you to get in on the fun.
“The Downtown Back to Live Music Festival is an opportunity to experience live music in some of your favourite dining spots while `supporting local' and engaging again with your downtown community.”
There is no cover charge for Back to Live, but donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds go to the artists, in addition to their regular performance fees.
The lineup is as follows (subject to change):
Crave: Jeff Mertick & The Odd Compadres (Saturday, 9 p.m.). The Cure: Hoodoo Mafia (Thursday, 9 p.m.), Afrobeat DJ (Friday, 9 p.m.), MELODNA (Saturday, 9 p.m.), DJS Robin Mang, Billy B and BPMD (Saturday, 11 p.m.).
Fat Badger: Tiny (Thursday,
8:30 p.m.), Jeff Mertick & The Odd Compadres (Thursday, 9:45 p.m.), Blu Beach Band (Friday, 9 p.m.), DJ Alexis (Friday, 11 p.m.), The Steadies (Saturday, 9 p.m.), and DJ Dags (Saturday, 11 p.m.). O'hanlon's: Teedream (Thursday, 9:15 p.m.), Flash Back (Thursday, 10:15 p.m.), People of the Sun (Friday, 11 p.m.), and Lova Lamp CD release party (Saturday, 11 p.m.).
The first in a series of outdoor concert announcements was made Tuesday in anticipation of the 2022 Queen City Exhibition, which runs Aug. 3-7 at REAL District. The opening-night acts for Aug. 3 are two classic rock bands: Headpins and Streetheart.
Ice Cube was previously announced as the headliner on Aug. 5.
It's a weekend of comedy at the Conexus Arts Centre.
Legendary comedian/actor John Cleese brings An Evening of Exceptional Silliness to town on Friday night. That's followed by Just for Laughs Comedy
Night in Canada, hosted by Rick Mercer, on Sunday night. His guests are Dave Merheje, Eman
El- Husseini, and Ivan Decker.
More information and tickets at conexusartscentre.ca.
Casino Regina's Show Lounge is hosting Gaslighter: Songs of the Dixie Chicks on Saturday night, followed by The Clairvoyants on Monday night. The Clairvoyants' international magic show features Thommy Ten and Amelie van Tass, who combined to finish second on America's Got Talent in 2016.
Tickets at casinoregina.com.
The Regina Symphony Orchestra is presenting Beethoven
No. 9 on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at the Conexus Arts Centre. The performance is part of the RSO'S Classics Series.
Under the guidance of conductor Gordon Gerrard, Beethoven's iconic Ninth Symphony is to be performed by the RSO along with a local choir and four guest vocalists: Andrea Lett (soprano), Adam Luther (tenor), Dion Mazerolle (bass-baritone), and Stephanie Tritchew (mezzo soprano). Pianist Janina Fialkowska will also be featured in the Grieg concerto.
Tickets at reginasymphony.com.