Festival season continues in Lethbridge with the annual Rotary Dragon boat Festival featuring a three busy days of local entertainment at Henderson lake Park.
Dragon boats.
The usual suspects are performing this year. Country singer Dusty Dee Litchfield opens the festival at 6 p.m., Friday, June 22, followed by the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.. Scott Davidson‘s Chinook High Rock and pop program play at 6:30. But the big act of the day are local classic rockers the Chevelles who play two sets beginning at 7:15, with a break at 9 for the Desert Wind belly Dancers.
Things start early the next day at 11 a.m. with Dory and the Weathermen opening up the day, Saturday, June 23. The Rose ceremony is at noon.
Calgary bluesman Eric Braun follows at 12:30 p.m. followed by Hibikaya drummers at 1:30 p.m.
Winnipeg born, White Rock based musician Sketch is on at 2 p.m.
Young local songwriter Nicole Donaghy Hughes performs at 3 p.m. and local ’90s aficionados Uncovered are on at 3:30 p.m.
Exisdance show their best moves at 4:30, while local funk rock trio Adequate get funky at 5 p.m..
For a break, the Rocky Mountain Cloggers perform at 6 p.m. and Suite 33 will rock your socks off at 6:30 p.m.. The Desert Wind Belly Dancers perform at 7:30 while county musician Cody Hall and punk band 13 to Go get ready to rock from 8 p.m. until close.
The Dragon boat festival winds up on Sunday, beginning with the E Free band at 11 a.m. and folk/ roots singer songwriter Karen Romanchuk performing at noon.
The Chinook High School rock and pop band return at 12:30 followed by country pop band Alyssa McQuaid and Coyote Junction at 1:30 p.m.
After a Kung Fu demonstration by Lethbridge Hung Sing Koon Kung Fu Academy, Medicine Hat Duo Mahoney bring the show to a close at 3 p.m.
But there is a lot more than just Dragon boats happening this week.
Pridefest activities continue throughout the week.
The Smokehouse features a big hip hop and rap show with Locksmith and My Name Is Junk from SDK who headline a big night of rap beginning at 8p.m. . There will be local support from Trey Mark,Pyke, J lately, Project TRYBE, J-Reds Hip Hop, JPB, ONTK, $ammy and the Fiend and a freestyle battle at 8;30 p.m. at 8 p.m., June 21 Tickets are $20
There is a big alternative rock show courtesy of Norwegian blue Records with local duo Cope and London/Guelph’s Whoop-Szo who blend folk, metal, pop and even classical music. The bands begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance $15 at the door.
In Cahoots host this weeks open mic at the Slice, on Thursday, June 21 as well.
While Average Joes relived the ’80s this past week, this week is about reliving the ’90s and ’00s as Blind Melon and Eve 6 play a double bill, Friday, June 22. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. sharp. Tickets are $45 in advance $50 on the day of the show.
Edmonton jazz/pop singer/ keyboardist Ann Vriend, who often plays with Rooster Davis, brings her band back to the Owl Acoustic Lounge for a special ticketed event, June 22. Tickets are $15 for the show.
As expected, Saturday is also busy with several shows. Vocal teacher Andrea Roberts’ AC Vocals has a concert at the McNally Community Centre featuring her band Black Tie Affair as well as Uncovered and her students. The afternoon show is at 2 p.m. admission is five dollars.
Local favourite Shaela Miller has the official CD release party for her latest CD “Bad Ideas” at the Slice, June 23 with special guests Taylor Ackerman’s Global Acid Reset beginning at 9 p.m.
The Owl Acoustic lounge features local pop band Stars From Streetlights and Calgary based YYCMA nominated singer songwriter Lisette Xavier.
Even Sunday is busy this week with three shows including The last of the rotary Dragon Boat festival, plus local country band The Crooked Creek Warblers playing the matinee at the Smokehouse at 4 p.m and J Blissette’s tour ending show at the old Firehall with Toronto’s Goosebumps. Admission is five dollars for the show, which begins at 9 p.m.
The music begins tonight, Tuesday, June 20 with two big shows. B.A Johnston returns to the Owl Acoustic Lounge with Open Channels and Biloxi Parish opening the show around 9 p.m. Admission is by donation.
The Slice features Alberta Sam Lundell playing his CD release show. The Alberta artist has been performing since age 5, beginning with classical music . He has just released his debut album “Head// Hands” featuring the single “Everything” for which Lundell received a Telus Optik TV Storyhive grant for the video (directed by Edmonton's Justin Brunelle) which won top prize and was later nominated for a Rosie award.
Following the success of “Everything”, Sam recorded his first full length project at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The nine track, 45 minute, debut album is described as as a diverse and dynamic look at story telling, both fact and fiction, set before a backdrop of indie rock and electronic sounds. Inspired by such varied artists as Switchfoot, John Mayer, Radiohead, and Maroon 5.
