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I Am Music Tour
With Lil Wayne, Nicki Manaj, Rick Ross, Mix Master Mike, Travis Barker and Porcelain Black
Thursday, April 28
Rexall Place

As the rain spit outside Rexall place Thursday night, dampening the harsh smell of rank marijuana and the spirit of whimpering youth who spoke like they were from South Central Compton, confused throngs wearing ‘Free Weezy’ shirts and oversized track suits waited outside wondering.  Door times had passed considerably and, according to both estimated set times and concert logic, the opening artist, Porcelain should at least be … Read More

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How do you follow Frank Zappa?

Rather than dwell on the potential difficulty of this, Ben Vereen followed Zappa’s  delightful ESO night by holding the Winspear in the palm of his hand himself.  And rather than a simple concert format, Friday’s Ben Vereen performance was an informal musical biography of inspirations, influences and personal triumphs that spanned the career of the ultimate “triple threat” — a magical calling that has taken Vereen from Broadway to the silver screen, from sharing the … Read More

Does Humour Belong at the Symphony?

The ESO plays Zappa

Tuesday night was a good one for fans of Frank Zappa as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra joined Ed Mann and Ike Willis in a tribute to the late composer and musician in a surprisingly full Winspear Centre. For fans (like me) the show not only delivered on inappropriately high expectations, but exceeded them.

For … Read More

The Edmonton Raga-Mala Music Society welcomed sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons to the Winspear Centre for a recital on March 10. For those unfamiliar with Indian classical music, this was a first-class introduction to the fretless, plucked instrument. For both the familiar and unfamiliar, this was an opportunity to see one of the superstars of the Indian classical tradition.

The first half of the evening featured Khan alone flanked by tabla players on each side of the stage. Following the intermission, the audience was treated to a lengthy performance by Khan’s two sons, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan. Each displayed dazzling technique as they took turns with solos, all supported by the tablas. The nearly three … Read More

The busy lobby of Sherwood Park’s Festival Place had the feeling, vibrancy and excitement of a cultural event, not a musical or comedic performance.  And, it turns out, that’s exactly what Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers’ show is about.  Now, being from Alberta — born and raised — I never once thought that I’d be outside of the cultural norm.  I understand that many cultures exist and we embrace them all wholeheartedly, but once every so often, you realize just how many people have re-located to Edmonton … Read More

Being the type of person who doesn’t particularly like the multitude of genres, sub-genres, and sub-sub-genres electronic-based music seems to have, I didn’t expect much from the the Glitch Mob’s Edit and his live set after checking it out online.  In fact, he seems very popular, but I don’t have a clue who he is — and I’m not sure what exactly that says.  Perhaps I am being judged as you read this; I do not care.  It was painfully obvious in many regards that most people were at Banff's Wild Bill’s to get their glitch on.

Opening MC, Black Rose, literally screamed and sometimes … Read More