August begins with a couple of endings.
Shakespeare in the Park winds up their summer run of the Twelfth Night, Aug. 7 and 8 in Galt Gardens at 7 p.m. each night. They will wind things down officially on Aug. 9 with a special cabaret at CASA.
Aimee McGurk, who plays Viola/ Cesario in A Twelfth Night, will be singing with a couple of her friends at the cabaret. Plus stage manager Benton Neufeld will be performing his magic act. The Drama Nutz will be performing improv, plus mentalist Jeff Newman, who will be performing at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, will also be performing his mentallist act.
“ It features Shakespeare in the Park alumni,” said producer/ director Kate Connolly.
“In addition we are delighted to welcome Tessa J Brown and Gina Freeman will be performing sketch comedy who were just at the Montreal Fringe, ” Connolly continued.
“ It is the big wrap up for Shakespeare in the Park.”
The show begins at 8 p.m. There is a $10 cover.
This week is also the last show for Lethbridge bluesman Darryl Düus. He will be moving to Vancouver Island shortly, so catch a rare performance from him as well as Papa King and Evan Uschenko at Jimmy’s Pub on Aug. 9. The show begins at 9 p.m.
While it is a week of endings, it is also a week for new beginnings.
This week also features the beginning of New West Theatre's second show of the summer.
“Shake It Up” features lots of great comedy and everything from opera to disco music plus lots of beloved hits from the past 40 years. “Shake It Up” runs Aug. 7-30 at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Inferno breaks in their new location at 1016 1 Avenue South, (next to Pulse and Tom’s House of Pizza) by welcoming Orillia alternative rockers Bleeker Ridge, Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Their new independently released CD “Four” features the hit singles “Last Cigarette” and Go Home,” plus their hit “Small Town Dead” get regular airplay on modern rock radio.
Admission is $10. Doors open at 9 p.m.
There is a lot of rock and roll and metal happening Aug. 9.
The Gate features an an all ages gig with Winnipeg post hardcore/ metalcore band Forever I, Calgary’s Screaming at Shadows and Lethbridge's YoungBloods playing their first all ages show. Doors open at 7p.m..
Admission is $10 though there is a three dollar discount if you wear merch from local bands Lightworker, Sophmore Jakes and Shelter the Weak.
Old school rock and rollers and rockabilly lovers won’t want to miss the first Lethbridge visit for Edmonton's the Fuzz Kings on Aug. 8 when they stop by the Slice sharing their blend of Social Distortion, Southern Culture on the Skids, the Stray Cats and old school rockabilly music. They have just released their CD “ReTurn of the Century.”
There is also a big punk/metal show at the Slice on Aug 9 featuring the Ruby Plumes, Advertisement and Internet Love.
For something a little more laid back, the Owl Acoustic Lounge welcomes back Calgary blues singer Erin Ross, Aug. 8.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge also features Brenna Lowrie and Vancouver indie pop band the Oh Wells on Aug. 9. There is no cover for any of those shows.
Country music fans will want to be at Casino Lethbridge this weekend where Armond Duck Chief will be holding court, Aug. 8 and 9.
And Karen Romanchuk returns to the Mocha Cabana on Aug. 8 and 9 to play folk and country music and her new CD “Down The Line.”
As always there are open mics throughout the week, though Bo Diddly’s has discontinued their Wednesday night jam for the summer. Steve Keenan's Friday night blues jam at Honkers has also been discontinued for the summer.