Local Entertainment
A Fall Full of Music at Todayville
Though Todayville went live only 3 short months ago, we’ve had some amazing talent come find us in Red Deer. We have compiled our favourite interviews and photos into one story. Now you can see why we are so excited about promoting some of these great Canadian artists.
COLEMAN HELL – Juno-nominated artist, Coleman Hell stopped by Todayville in November. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Coleman Hell is a singer-songwriter and producer now based in Toronto. His breakthrough single “2 Heads”, described as a “banjo-R&B-dance mosaic” topped streaming-service charts in early 2015, leading to a record deal with Columbia Records. He talked to Duane Rolheiser about his current tour and what’s up next.
JOCELYN ALICE- Sometimes you meet someone that kind of blows your mind because they’re so nice, talented, unassuming, witty, and they literally shine. That’s how we all felt when Jocelyn Alice and Lisa Jacobs brought their irresistible personalities and ridiculous talent to Todayville enroute to a one-nighter at Red Deer’s International Beer Haus.
Jocelyn Alice is a Calgarian who is on the move to Nashville on a full time basis. Jocelyn’s debut single as a solo artist, the 2015 summer hit ‘Jackpot’, was certified Platinum in Canada in September 2016 and reached the top 15 on multiple Canadian commercial radio charts. Jocelyn received a 2016 SOCAN Pop/Rock Music Award for Jackpot and received Canadian Radio Music Awards nominations in 2016. She also received Canadian Music Week Indie Awards nominations in 2016 for Pop Artist of the Year and Single of the Year.
Prior to her solo career, Jocelyn and bassist Lisa Jacobs performed in the indie soul pop duo Jocelyn & Lisa (a unique blend of pop, soul, reggae, and funk). Jocelyn has co-written music featured in the hit TV shows One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars, the movie Dear Santa, and a television commercial in Canada for Shaw TV.
We met Jocelyn in the midst of a whirlwind. She had been touring heavily, made the trip to Red Deer from Calgary in a pretty significant snowstorm, she was tired, and getting ready to move to Nashville in February. In this interview with Duane Rolheiser, she opened up about her new-found success, the changes it means in how her career is managed including giving up some control of her career. Also check out the photo gallery of the interview and the outstanding acoustic performance her and Lisa did for us and our guests.
Here’s a look at some photos I took during the interview and their acoustic performance. We became fans!
Enjoy another excellent Canadian artist who’s on her way to some really big things. Click to watch Jocelyn Alice’s video for the hit song JACKPOT
BLEEKER- They’re all younger than 30, but Bleeker is anything but inexperienced. The Orillia, Ontario based rockers have been performing, writing, and touring for more than half their lives. Brothers Taylor and Cole Perkins were just 14 and 12 years old when they started Bleeker. The band has had plenty of success, but 2016 has been a banner year. Bleaker was signed by Sony and they’ve been touring internationally for months. Now the best news of all, Bleaker’s song “Highway’ is shooting up the charts, and is currently a top 10 Canadian hit!
Bleeker performed Tuesday night at Bo’s opening up for Canadian rock legends The Trews. But first Bleeker stopped in at Todayville for an interview and an accoustic performance. Named after the street where they grew up in Orillia, Bleeker is Taylor Perkins, his brother Cole and childhood friend Mike Van Dyk. Here are the boys from Bleeker Street!
Bleeker performed “I’m Not Laughing Now” in our studio Tuesday afternoon.
RIA MAE- Before 2015, Ria Mae was growing her audience at a slow but steady pace, playing bars and clubs as an independent artist. Then Mae released “Clothes Off” and everything changed. Mae signed with Sony Music and has exploded onto the national music scene.
CBC Music called Ria Mae the “Next Big Thing” in 2015 and Spotify Canada named her 2016 “Spotlight Artist”. “Clothes Off” was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2016 Juno Awards.
Her singles “Ooh Love”, “Gold” and “Clothes Off” have been viewed well over 5 million times on VEVO.
This is Ria Mae.
RYAN LANGLOIS- It’s been a year of change for Red Deer singer Ryan Langlois. The lead man for The Boom Chucka Boys is heading in a new direction after the Boys went their separate ways this year. As 2016 comes to an end, Langlois is about to head to the recording studio again.. this time with Ryan Langlois and the Revelation. Ryan performed in December at The International Beer Haus opening up for Duane Steele, another Canadian country star who calls Red Deer home.
Links
COLEMAN HELL, JOCELYN ALICE, RIA MAE, RYAN LANGLOIS, BLEEKER
Students at Hunting Hills High School are excited to bring a relatable musical to local audiences next month.
Ranked, The Musical runs March 13-16 at the Memorial Centre in Red Deer. The show is rated PG.
“We looked at a number of different shows and we knew we wanted to do something contemporary,” said Piper Rempel, Director. “The show is extremely relatable in that it talks about struggles that teens go through with their parents, school, expectations with friends, anxiety, learning how to balance life and fitting in.”
Because the show is not as well known as past productions, Piper said students had to dive in head first, and as rehearsals have evolved, they have lived up to that challenge.
“We have really talented kids. Our poster design, our technical design – it’s all things the kids have to come up with,” she said. “Our pit band is playing parts that have never been played before. It’s all really incredible to see.”
About 70 students between the cast, tech and pit band have been rehearsing since last fall.
“When we introduced the production to them, they were surprised because it wasn’t a big name,” said Taryn Martinek, Choreographer. “We told them there were lots of reasons that we picked the production, and as soon as we started rehearsing they got it and they have never looked back.”
Both Piper and Taryn encourage the community to come out and support the students as they bring this new story to Red Deer.
“People can expect for songs to get stuck in their heads – it’s great music you have never heard before,” said Piper.
Taryn added the production was a risk, but it has been extremely rewarding to see it unfold. “We want to get the community out and take the risk with us,” she said.
For tickets or for more information, click here.
Red Deer Lights the Nights returns as a month-long celebration of the holiday season, starting this Friday, November 17.
- North Pole Patio Party – November 17 from 4-7 p.m. at Ross Street Patio
- Writes of Winter writing contest – through January 15, hosted by Red Deer Arts Council
- Winter Market – November 24 and 25 at Millennium Centre
- Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market – November 25 at Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
- Capstone Winter Nights Festival – December 1, 2 and 3 at Canada 150 Square
- Downtown Twinkle Tour – December 15 throughout downtown
- Santa’s Bus Tour – December 8, 9, 15 and 16 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Residents are invited to visit City Hall Park any time after November 16 to enjoy a beautiful display of colourful lights and festive decorations. Lights are turned on every day from sunset to sunrise until mid-January.
“We’re excited to welcome Red Deerians downtown once again to celebrate the season and enjoy the festive decorations in City Hall Park and along nearby streets. Everyone is invited to come out and participate in all the free activities that are planned, especially Santa’s Bus Tour which returns in December to bring Christmas joy to local neighbourhoods.”
North Pole Patio Party
Friday, November 17: 4 – 7 p.m.
Ross Street Patio
Santa Claus is coming to town – downtown! Visit with Santa in person on the Ross Street Patio as we celebrate the kickoff to the holiday season. Enjoy a free hot chocolate and cozy up to the warm firepits while the kids play candy cane games with the elves. Be sure to pick up a children’s craft bag from the friendly Family Services of Central Alberta team and check out the CMHA’s fun photo booth.
Kraze 101.3 will be live on location cheering on the holiday fun. We look forward to seeing you at this free family event!
Writes of Winter contest
November 17 – January 15
Red Deer Arts Council and The City of Red Deer have partnered on a writing contest to keep our imaginations warm this winter.
Red Deer youth, teens and adults are invited to create a short poem or story (fiction or creative non-fiction) with a maximum length of 500 words about winter and/or the holiday season in Red Deer.
All submissions can be sent to the Red Deer Arts Council at [email protected] for a chance to win exciting prizes. Works will be published for folks to read on We Are Red Deer and the Red Deer Arts Council’s social media pages.
Deadlines:
Holiday Season story deadline: December 10, 2023
Winter Blues story deadline: January 15, 2024
For more information, visit the Red Deer Arts Council website.
November 24: 3 – 7 p.m.
November 25: 12 – 7 p.m.
Millenium Centre (location tentative)
Every winter, the farmers’ market makes a special appearance in downtown Red Deer to help you finish your holiday shopping. You can purchase tasty food and baked goods to feed the whole family, local beers and wines for holiday parties and beautiful handmade gifts sure to impress that special someone at this accredited Alberta Farmers’ Market. Join us November 24 and 25 for a great local shopping experience, with tastings and live music from local artists.
Saturday, November 25: 10 – 4 p.m.
Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery: 4525 47A Avenue
Join us for a unique Christmas shopping experience where you can explore the arts and crafts of some of central Alberta’s premier artists and craftspeople. Up to 15 artists will set up their displays throughout the MAG’s Remarkable Red Deer exhibit and gallery spaces, with artwork ranging from pottery, beaded jewelry, wool felting, textiles, oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, and more.
For more information, visit the MAG’s Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market web page.
Friday, December 1: 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, December 2: 5 – 10 p.m.
Sunday, December 3: 4 – 9 p.m.
Canada 150 Square, Capstone
Capstone presents “Winter Nights” an imaginative light and art festival featuring art installations by B!G ART, live music, entertainment, late night shopping, activities and more! For more information, visit www.liveincapstone.ca/events.
December 8: 4 – 7 p.m.
Ross Street Patio
Join the DBA and Spandy Andy on the Ross Street Patio for some frosty fun! Check out the children’s entertainers, activity booths and sip hot chocolate under the festive downtown lights. Bring the whole family together for an unforgettable outdoor celebration. Whether you’re grooving to the DJ or simply basking in the warm glow of the fire tables, the Ross Street Patio is the place to be for an evening of free family fun. Visit the DBA’s Frost Street Patio Party web page for more information.
December 8, 9, 15 & 16
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Red Deer neighbourhoods
Santa is back on the bus, merrily cruising down the streets of Red Deer! Check out the route maps below and give Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the dancing elves a wave – they light up this bus just for you!
We’ve done our best to help Santa visit each neighbourhood in the city, but due to his busy schedule he cannot visit every street. Please choose the route closest to your home to catch a glimpse of the jolly man and his crew. For safety reasons, please remain on the sidewalk or in your yard and stay off the street during the bus tours.
Tours operate from 5:30 p.m. to approximately 8 p.m. on the following evenings. Follow along on the MyBus website or app to see when Santa will arrive in your neighbourhood.
- Friday, December 8 – Route 1 (Red Line): North Red Deer (Pines, 67 Street, Johnstone Park, Kentwood, Glendale, Normandeau, Oriole Park, Riverside Meadows, Highland Green)
Santa’s Bus Tour Map – Route 1 (pdf) - Saturday, December 9 – Route 2 (Green Line): South Red Deer, Downtown (Bower, West Park, Downtown, Normandeau)
Santa’s Bus Tour Map – Route 2 (pdf) - Friday, December 15 – Route 3 (Blue Line): South Red Deer (Sunnybrook, Inglewood, Anders, Morrisroe, Eastview, Clearview Meadows, 55 Street, Downtown, Gaetz Avenue North)
Santa’s Bus Tour Map – Route 3 (pdf) - Saturday, December 16 – Route 4 (Yellow Line): East Red Deer (Vanier, Lancaster, Deer Park, Rosedale, Timberlands, Clearview Ridge)
Santa’s Bus Tour Map – Route 4 (pdf)
Friday, December 15
4 – 7 p.m.
For one night, many Downtown businesses remain open late to help Red Deerians with their holiday shopping and to encourage the support of local businesses. Downtown visitors are invited to pick up a free hot chocolate and a copy of the holiday scavenger hunt on the Patio. Enjoy beautiful window and light displays throughout downtown as you make your way to your favourite shops. Be sure to snag some Reindeer Food and Snowman Soup during your visit, too!
For more information, visit the Downtown Business Association website.
A video showcasing Red Deer’s holiday spirit will be shared on The City’s social media channels so Red Deerians can enjoy the view from the comfort of home.
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