A cornucopia of Christmas concerts this week

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas in Lethbridge as this week features a plethora of Christmas parties and concerts happening on the weekend.
 But before that, begin the week with some jazz and blues.
 The Owl Acoustic Jam hosts  a jazz jam with HBO3 and Josh Davies, Wednesday, Dec. 7.

And the Slice

brings in Invermere blues band The Chisel Peak Blues band, featuring the talents of Emily Rawbon, who has been compared to musicians like Tracy Chapman. There is no cover for the Dec. 7 show.

 Two big Christmas parties happen on Dec. 9
 University of Lethbridge based community radio station CKXU hosts a Very Merry CKXUing Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 9 at the Slice. The show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Blueprint for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
It will feature a variety of local bands putting their own twisted take on your favourite christmas carols and Christmas themed music. There will also be door prizes, eggnog drink special and silent auction. The man in red, Santa Claus, will be on hand for photos as well.

But classic rockers will want to be at the Smokehouse, Dec. 9 where Dory and the Weathermen will be decking the halls with the sounds of classic rock and whatnot. The party begins at 7 p.m.. Tickets are five dollars. They play classic rock and contemporary hits and are always entertaining.

The other big Christmas party is at the Southminster United Church the next night, where the Lethbridge Community Gold and Silver bands will be playing the 25th annual Mayor’s Christmas concert beginning at 7 p.m.
Special guests include the Cardston School Senior Choir, under the direction of Linda Burwell, and Mayor Chris Spearman.

The concert is a fundraiser for the Lethbridge and Interfaith Food Banks, so attendees are encourages to donate  to at the show. You can also brings donations of unwrapped toys for the Angel Tree for kids program.
Tickets for the concert are $15. Children 12 and under get in for free.

 

While not a Christmas show, the Highway 3 Roots Revue has become an early December tradition. Talented local songwriters John Wort Hannam, Dave McCann and Leeroy Stagger get together and tour Alberta in early December to share stories and songs and play on each other’s songs. Charlie Ewing and Shaela Miller who are on the the second Horizon Sessions compilation will open the show.

 The Highway 3 Roots Revue return to the Geomatic Attic, Dec. 10. Tickets are $32.50
There are plenty of non-Christmas related shows happening as well. Uncovered play all your favourites at Casino Lethbridge, Dec. 9 and 10.
Victoria based pop/rock/pop noir singer JP Maurice performs a free show at Coulee Brew on Nov. 9.

 The Lethbridge Folk Club also has their open mic at Casa, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
Bridgette Yarwood performs a solo show at the Mocha Cabana for you supper time listening pleasure from 6-9 p.m.
 For something a little wilder, a Turbonegro tribute, Dudes From Nowhere will be rocking the Slice with the sound of death punk, Dec. 10. Local alternative rock band Fox Eyes are also on the bill. There is a $10 cover for the show, which begins at 9 p.m.
 The Owl Acoustic Lounge features an excellent show of local bands, Dec. 9 with Biloxi Parish, Alfi and Matthew Gerard Robinson. And the Junkman’s Quire returns Dec. 10 for  an eclectic  Celtic/ Jazz/ rock show.
And the weekend ends with a ukulele jam at Casa, Dec. 1.

Early next week, something special begins as local musician Shaela Miller is starting the Windy City Opry — a showcase of roots performers which will take place at the Slice every second Wednesday. The first one is Dec. 14 with Calgary musician Amy Nelson plus Saskatoon’s Rugged Little Thing and new tour mate Eliza Mary Doyle , who was just in Lethbridge with the Dead South.
Just up the road, if you missed Oscar Lopez playing for the Lethbridge Folk Club last month, or want a second helping of his beautiful Latin spirit and mind blowing guitar playing,  He will be performing at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod on Dec. 10 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35.

 Check www.labeat.ca  for a story about auditions for Playgoers Of Lethbridge’s February production of A Doll’s House, plus an interview with Shaela Miller about the Windy City Opry as well as Eliza Doyle who is playing the Windy City Opry. There are also concert reviews and videos.