This week is jam packed with great music, mostly due to the Electric Eye Music Festival which dominates the live music scene May 7-9 with close to 40 acts performing throughout the city at several different venues.
It kicks off with a special show featuring Calgary musician Chad VanGaalen, Viet Cong and Fist City at the German Canadian Club, May 7. Things just take off from there. 
The complete schedule can be found at http://eemusicfest.com/festival-info/festival-schedule/. Shows are staggered very well, making it easy to catch a lot of shows in the same night. They have special Providence passes for $50 which also includes coupons for Andrew Hilton and Plum, plus a wristband allowing admittance to each venue— the Army Navy Veterans Hall, the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, the Slice, Blueprint and a special comedy night at Two Guys and a Pizza Place, May 8. Otherwise there is a $5 to $15 cover at each venue.
But there are also some non Electric Eye Music Festival shows sprinkled throughout the week.
For non Electric Eye related music, the week begins on May 6 with Toronto based singer songwriter Peter Katz, who brings his brand new band to the Slice to play a show. Luke Sital-Singh will be opening the show at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20.
The Slice also brings in one of Southern Alberta's favourite songwriters- John Wort Hannam and his band the Blue Colllars, who play the Slice, May 7. Tickets cost $15 for the show, which also begins at 8 p.m.
There are also a couple of excellent punk and metal shows this week. Brandon punk band Moledebater plays Inferno, May 7 with Western Death and local punks the Scallywags and local metal band Penitentz. There is a $10 cover. The other big punk and metal show is also at Inferno, May 11 where Drunken Superheroes, Abombanation and From the Wolves will be playing. Admission is $10.
Inferno branches out into the blues, May 9 when they feature First Nations blues rockers the Johnny Rains Band with the West End Rangers and Blues Revolver. The early show begins at 6 p.m.
For something a little easier on the ears on a Monday, Peterborough folk/ country duo Mayhemingway play the Owl Acoustic Lounge, May 11.
There are also some excellent local metal and hard rock shows this week. Classic rock/ metal band Unzipped return to the Front Row Pub, May 9.
And popular local country duo Tom and Curt hit the Casino May 8 and 9 as well.
If you're hankering for more music after the Electric Eye, the other big name show is Halifax musician Joel Plaskett, who plays the University Theatre on Sunday, May 10. Plaskett is touring in support of his latest CD “Park Avenue Sobriety Test.” The Geomatic Attic is putting the show on, winding up the university portion of the season.
Looking ahead, the Lethbridge Jazz Festival has plenty of great music planned for June 9-13 including a whole lot of blues.
Kat Danser plays the Owl Acoustic Lounge, June 13 while the Slice features Bluesland and the Cold Sweat Horns on June 13 as well. Get ready to dance with Afro Cuban and Beyond featuring Hilario Durán and Ignacio Berroa performing with the Calgary Jazz Orchestra. Other highlights are the Carol Welsman Trio, June 12 in the Sterndale Bennett Theatre and the HeavyWeights Brass band, June 12 at the Slice.
“ It’s going to be outstanding performers on all of the stages, all of the time,” said Lethbridge Jazz Society Presient Don Robb.
There is also a lot of straight ahead jazz, a lot of local talent and special guests including the Sojourners’ Marcus Mosely who will be guiding gospel aficionados, June 10 at the Southminster Church. And those are just a few of the highlights.
Tickets are available at the Music Court in the Park Place Mall or through www.lethbridgejazz.com
