Blue Rodeo
The yearly jaunt out west by the unflagging musical machine that is Blue Rodeo coincides with the release of their 15th studio effort, 1000 Arms. Longtime pedal steel wizard Bob Egan is no longer with the band, leaving them without a player in that category for the first time in decades, but veteran guitarist Colin Cripps (who joined in 2013) is picking up the slack on electric. Added bonus: Ron Hawkins and the Do Good Assassins are opening both dates.
When: Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.
Where: Jubilee Auditorium
Admission: $33.50 to $83.50 from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Steve-O at the Comic Strip, Jan. 19 to 22.
Steve-O
Stunt comedian and noted animal rights campaigner Steve-O makes his way to Edmonton for a four-day run of shows at The Comic Strip in West Edmonton Mall. The Jackass star is never far from the public eye, whether featured in TV specials, recent movies like Barely Lethal and the continuing film franchise based on the show that catapulted him into notoriety, or being arrested for various tricks and stunts. Opening for all of the shows are Sterling Scott and Dan Clarke.
When: Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Comic Strip, West Edmonton Mall
Admission: $29.95, at the door or in advance from the website
Info: thecomicstrip.ca
Star Killing Machine at the Backstage Theatre until Jan. 29.
Star Killing Machine
You knew in your heart that it was true. But now Broken Toys Theatre has provided proof, in the form of Star Killing Machine, that there are people out there attempting to destroy the world. A motley crew of scientists, engineers, managers and lowly data entry clerks are bent on the task in a secret base south of the Arctic circle, though an unfortunate breakthrough by one of the employees changes everything for the group. Clinton Carew directs from his own script, with performances by Elena Porter, Garen Ross, Rebecca Merkely and more.
When: until Jan. 29. Performances at 7:30 p.m., with added matinee show on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. No show on Monday, Jan. 23.
Where: Backstage Theatre, 10030 84 Ave.
Admission: $18 to $23, at the door or from the Fringe website
Info: fringetheatre.ca
Peter Stone and Denise MacKay of 100 Mile House will play at the AGA Vibe event.
Vibe
The inaugural 2017 edition of the Art Gallery of Alberta’s Vibe series features a heady mix of music, art and hands-on fun. Singer-songwriter Lucas Chaisson and folk duo 100 Mile House provide the sounds, while local photographer Aaron Pedersen will be setting up for live portrait sessions. You can also have fun making buttons, guided by helpful AGA educators. Entry to Vibe also includes access to AGA exhibitions.
When: Friday, Jan. 20, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Art Gallery of Alberta
Admission: $15 to $20, at the door or in advance from the AGA website
Info: youraga.ca
Symphonie 5.1 at the Timms Centre on Jan. 20 and 21.
Symphonie 5.1
Quebec-based dance company Van Grimde Corps Secrets bring their latest work to Edmonton for its first showing outside of Montreal. Symphonie 5.1 “challenges the audience to examine the body through a contemporary lens,” using dance, music and the stage environment to pull in the audience. Marie-Ève Lafontaine, Maya Lopez, Samaël Maurice and Georges-Nicolas Tremblay are the performers, Isabelle Van Grimde is the artistic director, visual design is by Jérôme Longtimee, while Tim Brady and Thom Gossage provide composition and music.
When: Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.
Where: Timms Centre for the Arts, 8703 112 St.
Admission: $35 adults; $25 students and seniors, at the box office or from Tix on the Square
Info: tixonthesquare.ca
John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson and George Clooney in a scene from the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?
O Brother
The Department of Classics at the University of Alberta, the Alberta Hellenic Congress and AHEPA (American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association) are teaming up for a free movie afternoon at the U of A. They’ll be screening O Brother Where Art Thou?, a modern take on Homer’s Odyssey as viewed through the skewed camera lens of the Coen Brothers. George Clooney and John Turturro star, but for many people the real attraction is the Appalachian-themed soundtrack, which features performances by Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss and Norman Blake.
When: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.
Where: Business 2 — 5, University of Alberta main campus
Admission: Free
Info: historyandclassics.ualberta.ca
Rosie and the Riveters at Parkview Community Hall on Jan. 21.
Rosie and the Riveters
Just as their name suggests, Saskatoon natives Rosie and the Riveters bring something of a ’40s vibe to their set of original songs. The four-piece vocal group describe themselves as “vintage-folk,” and their 2015 release Good Clean Fun picked up a lot of attention, grabbing year-end spots on the Earshot Magazine charts as well as CBC Radio Two’s national Top 20 countdown. Opening are locals Jim and Penny Malmberg of Back Porch Swing fame.
When: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.
Where: Parkview Community Hall, 9135 146 St.
Admission: $23 to $27, at the door or in advance from Tix on the Square
Info: tixonthesquare.ca
Singer-guitarist Barry Allen
Barry Allen
They’re billing it as a possible final show, so don’t miss out on this weekend’s performance by the legendary Barry Allen at the Arden Theatre. One of our area’s shining musical lights in the ’60s and ’70s, Allen scored a No. 1 hit with Lovedrops back in 1966, and proceeded to build a long musical career, including producing a number of Edmonton artists. Allen, who is fighting a serious medical issue, is working on a new album, The Speed of Dark, which he intends to leave as a gift to his grandchildren. He’ll be backed by the New Rebels for this show, as a nod to the group he fronted in his heyday.
When: Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert
Admission: $35, available at the box office or from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
The Burning of Parliament in Montreal, around 1849, by Joseph Légaré.
Rebellion and Confederation
Our nation’s 150th birthday is going to be celebrated in many ways this year, including more than a few educational highlights. One example is 1867 Rebellion and Confederation, a travelling exhibition developed by the Canadian Museum of History, which is settling down for a two-month spell in St. Albert. The exhibition looks at the nation as it developed, identifying key figures on the journey to Confederation, helping visitors understand how we’re still affected by these early events.
When: Tuesday, Jan. 24 to Sunday, March 26. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Musée Héritage Museum, St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert
Admission: Free
Info: artsandheritage.ca
Singing with Sylvia at the Arden Theatre on Jan. 25.
Singing With Sylvia
Self-proclaimed “Queen of the Swing-Set Scene,” Sylvia Chave brings her wacky wardrobe changes and original singalong songs to the Arden Theatre on Wednesday morning. Her interactive concert is tailor-made for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers, with jaunty, catchy tunes about flying kites and making cookies. This isn’t a sit-down-and-watch concert; attendees are encouraged to get up and dance along to the beat.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert
Admission: $10 adults; $5 children, available at the box office or in advance from Tickemaster. Children under 2 years old admitted for free
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Ten to Do is compiled and written by Tom Murray. If you are co-ordinating an event you want featured here, email the information to arts@edmontonjournal.com. Information for the What’s On listings should be uploaded to
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/whats-on/index.html