Entertainment
Bing and Ol’ Medicine Hat
Reynolds, Crosby and Astaire
It seems that Medicine Hat was hit with movie gold not once, but twice since the 1940s. There is, of course, the well documented case of the Monty Python skit ( https://www.todayville.com/monty-python-and-medicine-hat/ ) but also another well known and higher profile mention of this Alberta city….
Bing Crosby was an American entertainer who was well known world-wide for his crooning and his entertaining films and his USO tours with his friends and co-workers over during WWII and subsequent conflicts.
Among his many memorable films, “Holiday Inn,” was released in 1942 with great success for not only one of the first releases of ‘White Christmas,’ which won an Oscar for best music but also the pairing of Fred Astaire and Crosby in a delightful love triangle film set in a ski resort. The film was reprised in the classic ‘White Christmas,’ that included Rosemary Cluny and song and dance legend Danny Kaye in 1954.
‘Holiday Inn,’ starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds centred around Fred Hardy, a laid back composer who buys an Inn to put on Broadway style shows on special days so his life is not so hectic. Sadly, Fred Astaire, Ted Hanover, has a history of stealing dance partners and falls in love with them. Hardy discovers Linda Mason (Reynolds) and much to the chagrin of Hardy, Hanover winds up at one of his holiday specials and finds her, falls in love with her and the rest of the film follows Hardy’s efforts to keep Mason away from Hanover.
During the film, a couple of great moments occur, one with Astaire, apparently very drunk, dancing with Mason for the delight of the gathered crowd. The dance choreography is amazing, just as Astaire was an amazing performer and teacher.
However, Medicine Hat comes full front and centre when Hanover is expected to come hunting for Mason and Hardy askes his driver to take the long way home so she cannot be stolen by Hanover.
Hardy hands his driver $10, and utters the now famous dialogue…
“For that kinda of money you oughta be able to go by way o’ Medicine Hat!
Of course, the ploy is successful, and she is angry with Hardy that she could not refuse Hanover, but in the end, love wins and show biz rules the Inn.
This may seem like a random entry into the film but it may have been planned or more likely an improv by Crosby who had a predilection for pheasant hunting in the area just as Humphrey Bogart liked moose hunting in Cabri, Saskatchewan!
The story behind the story is that Brooks at one time was the BEST pheasant hunting area in North America and along with Bob Hope, the pair hunted in the area in the 1940s. An old timer recalled seeing Crosby and Clark Gable in the Cecil Hotel during hunting season!
Is there evidence that Crosby was in the Hat?
Only old hotel records could ever say, and the Cecil Hotel has been stilled forever…
In the meanwhile, “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas…”
This weekend’s Jammin’ For a Cure concert raised more the $40,000 for Cancer Research, with funds raised being earmarked for the work of Dr. Michael Chu, a clinician scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute. His research is for a new treatment known as Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
The 18 hour live performance was a great event. If you missed it, we have the links right here for you.
Friday: Click here
Saturday: Click here.
If you missed the show on the weekend, check it whenever you wish, and share it. The concert featured some really good performance from local, regional, national, and international artists. A highlight for me was El Niven and the Alibi. After doing some crazy tours, one from Tijuana to La Paz, performing fully amplified street concerts, and another from Edmonton to New York, across to L.A. and back to Edmonton. More than 400 shows over 3 years hones your skill, and this trio has a ton of skill.
Here’s a video they recently released called Likker. If you like the thoughts of a mash up between a 6’5″ Freddie Mercury, Frank Zappa, Commander Cody, and then you put an old worn telecaster in this volatile combination of a man’s hands, and say to him, go out and do something magical, and maybe just a bit crazy, then El Niven should appeal to you. Click here to learn more about El Niven and the Alibi.
Original story from March 26, 2021
I think we can all agree that few of us have been touched more by cancer than any other disease. One of the organizations trying to make a difference is the Cure Cancer Foundation, founded by a group of volunteers with a desire to more directly fund research and treatment programs.
And, what better way to raise money than with live music. Let’s face, it’s been an awful year without clubs and bars open, and no concerts and festivals. So maybe take a break from Netflix this weekend and take some time and catch some amazing talent, many of whom you’ve listened to in your favourite venue over the years. Many have been very busy creating new work during this last year and I’m sure you’ll hear some excellent new music throughout the weekend. In fact, here’s something recent from Brett Kissell.
Juno and multi-CCMA winner Clayton Bellamy
Jammin’ For a Cure is a live concert event taking place over 18 hours, starting tonight at 6 PM when Alberta’s own Brett Kissel kicks off a night of great music with artists that include Clayton Bellamy, Martin Kerr, and Jesse Roads. (The full list of talent and the schedule is below).
Saturday, the music begins at noon with Confounded Dials. Some excellent solo artists and bands will perform throughout the day, including Josh Sahunta, Dahlia and the Villains, Stephanie Harpe Experience, Maria Dunn, Stevon Kayla, and John Hewitt.
Alfie Zappacosta kicks of the evening slate of acts Saturday night at 6 PM followed by artists like Hailey Benedict, Bardic Form, Amy Metcalfe, Kesara Kimo and guest Evrlove, and runs right through to 11:40 PM with Canadian Coldwater Revival closing the show.
I have been invited to appear on this bill as well and I’m pretty pumped to strap on a guitar and perform on Saturday at 3:40 PM for a 20 minute set. Having lost my mom to ovarian cancer in 1994, I do what I can to help.
And a big shout out to Jon Beckett and his talented, experienced team at Edmonton’s Production World for making all of this possible.
Remember these are free concerts.
Here’s the link for Friday (tonight).
Here is the link for Saturday.
Friday Line up
6-6:40 PM Brett Kissel
7-7:40 PM FKB
7:40-8 PM Olivia Rose
8-8:40 PM Clayton Bellamy
8:40-9 PM Stevon and Kayla Artis
9-9:40 PM Martin Kerr
10-10:40 PM Jesse Roads
11-11:40 PM Guitarface
Saturday starting at noon
12-12:40 PM Confounded Dials
12:40-1 PM Tracy Lynn Byrne
1-1:40 PM Josh Sahunta
1:40-2 PM Brenda Dirk
2-2:40 PM Dahlia and the Villains
2:40-3 PM Kaylee Caura-Lee
3-3:40 PM Kane Incognito
3:40-4 PM Lloyd Lewis
4-4:40 PM Stephanie Harpe Experience
4:40-5 PM Maria Dunn
5-5:40 PM Stevon Kayla and the Heavenly Band
5:40-6 PM John Hewitt
6-6:40 PM Alfie Zappacosta
6:40-7 PM Hailey Benedict
7-7:40 PM Bardic Form
7:40-8 PM Amy Metcalfe
8-8:40 PM El Niven and the Alibi
8:40-9 PM Darrell Barr
9-9:40 PM Kesaro and Guest Artist Evrlove
9:40-10 PM Danny Floyd Cole
10-10:40 PM Jusjrdn and DJ Kwake
10:40-11 PM Mightberea
11-11:40 PM Canadian Coldwater Revival
The whole purpose is to raise money. Here’s the link to make a donation right now.
As well, there’s a host of great silent auction items you can bid on, from autographed jerseys to signed guitars. Click here to get started.
About Cure Cancer Foundation
Cancer doesn’t stop. No matter what’s going on in the world, Cancer is always there, hurting those we love. Jammin’ For A Cure will be raising money for Dr. Michael Chu, a clinician scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute, who is leading the charge with a new treatment known as Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
This therapy turbocharges the immune system to create killer immune cells that can wipe out cancers. This alters the patient’s own cells to be a new “barcode reader” and find the hiding cancer cells. This treatment is predicted to make the most significant difference in blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma patients, even those with multiply relapsed cancers.
We want to help fund great research like this to help Albertans, and people everywhere, receive the treatment they need. Your support will provide hope to people who would otherwise die of their cancer – despite all the best-known treatments. You are giving people a better chance of a cancer-free outcome and more time with their families, friends, and loved ones.
Todayville is very happy to support this event. Click here to read more stories on Todayville.
It’s Friday!!! You know what that means right?
New music from our digital distributer pushers, it really is addictive isn’t it? Yes! So what does this particular release day look like? We’re gonna dive into the brand new single by a brand new Curtis Labelle!
Curtis is a musical genius. It’s true, he’s got that sort of crazy eyes, crazy heart and crazy soul kinda thing going on. In an incredible way. Watching Curtis Labelle perform on stage is a special thing on its own. To see him living it up and constantly adapting to the harsh climate that comes with this career choice is nothing short of medal worthy accomplishment.
Run Run Away the first offering from the new Curtis Labelle of 2021 under Allen Music Management is a clear indication that Curtis is just getting fired up. I remember when Curtis wrote this song. When I heard it I immediately looked at him and said “that’s the song. Do that.”
Form the first note, this song has a bounce that makes you wanna bop. Nygel Lauzon on the drums is super killer. Feeling that kick backing the Curtis Labelle heartbeat is straight fire. Nygel keeps it tight and really lays it down on this track. Matt Dubois and his bass playing on this track really showcase his straight groovin’ silkiness. Matt legitimately spreads butter all over this track, making it so smooth. Logan Klaus on Lead guitar placing explosives throughout the entire track and then like a complete reckless bad ass he slowly walks away leaving a trail of gasoline as a fuse, throwing a match at the exact needed moment to make it blaze and then bam! What an addition to the band!
Curtis Labelle at his finest. I am so excited to hear the vocals on this track jump off the page. Curtis has such a powerful delivery and its awesome to see it all shiny like a diamond. Lyrically this song is super cool and fun at the same time which isn’t always an easy task. I honestly think this is just Curtis Labelle being himself and it’s incredible.
The production on this track is so killer.
With JUNO Award Nominee, Mark Troyer (Evergreen Sound, Calgary, AB) at the helm you simply can’t go wrong. The mix and the final vibe of this track really feels good. All around we are greeted with top shelf quality awesomeness on this track. Don’t sleep on it. Go find Curtis Labelle everywhere and listen, like, follow and share all of it. The world will likely be a better place for it. You wanna make the world a better place don’t ya? Don’t ya?
Find Curtis Labelle online here: FACEBOOK / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE