It’s another great week for festivals in Southern Alberta.
But things begin tonight with a Gabe Thaine marathon at Slice, Tuesday, Aug. 24. He will be performing original music until he runs out of music or his voice gives out beginning at 5 p.m.
After that, the Owl Acoustic Lounge has their regular Tuesday night open mic.
Their monthly poetry open mic featuring host Teri Petz is Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
Taber Cornfest runs Thursday through Sunday, with a cornucopia of local acts performing on all three days.Taber Cornfest begins Thursday, Aug. 26 with Dance Images at 6:30 p.m. followed by local funkamaniacs Adequate and Ransom Notice closing the night off beginning at 8 p.m.
Things begin bright and early at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 27 at the Taber Cornfest. The music begins at noon with an open mic followed by First Charger, The Mark Hall Band, Rooks, The Plaid Ramblers, Suzanne Scott and the Dusty Roads Band at 5:30 p.m,
Breanne Urban and Detour kick off the evening’s festivities at 7 p.m. followed by Another Simple Solution and Uncovered at 10:10 p.m.
On Friday, Aug. 28, Los Gringos get the Taber Cornfest party started at 9:30 a.m., Calgary blues/ roots musician Erin Ross follows at 11 a.m. followed by Carrie Johnson and Miranda Kohuck. Tanner James is on at 2:30 a.m. followed by Antifragile.
Get your dancing shoes on at 4:45 p.m. with Hippodrome. Suite 33 follow at 6:30 p.m., then Lawless Murphy and The Chevelles wind things down at 10:15 p.m.
The Raymond Music Festival is back on Saturday, Aug. 28 in Victoria Park beginning at 11 a.m. Between Skies, Coda, Saints and Sinners, Bruce Peterson and Ranahan, Skies of Rigor, Whiskey Gap Country, SI, A Little Bit of Nothing, Rebel Angel, 21st Avenue, Sail on Silver Girls, Nevermore, Good Company will be performing throughout the day.
In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Raymond Ice Arena.
Arts in the park with the Geomatic Attic and Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Society present Coulee Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Civic Field.
Paul Kype and Texas Flood kick things off at 1:30 p.m. followed by Saskatchewan’s Jack Semple, a new project featuring Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer’s Shawn hall, Satellite and the Harpoonist, Calgary’s Rondell Roberts Band at 4:45 and Edmonton blues musician and historian Kat Danser at 6 p.m. There is no cover to attend.
Arts in the Park rescheduled a previous show due to weather and smoke, but it is a go for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Monday evening.
Willie Big Bull are on at 3:30 p.m. followed by a new New West variety show, Singing in the Sun at 4 p.m.
On Monday, Dexter and Sons open up the rescheduled Arts in the Park with Singing in the Sun to follow.
In addition to the bigger festivals there are also slightly slower shows.
The Allied Arts Council’s Upside Downtown Concert Series presents Karen Romanchuk and Wendy Colby performing in Rotary Square outside Casa from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26.
After that show there is the Slice’s usual Thursday night open mic.
On the weekend, Rudz Crew play Casino Lethbridge on Friday and Saturday night.
The Slice goes psychedelic on Friday, Aug. 27 with Regina rock band The Dead Levee and The Decadent Phase performing beginning at 9 p.m.
Saturday is singer/songwriter night at the Slice with Richard Inman and Ponoka’s Marcus Sommer all performing.
Badlands and Rooks will be playing roots rock at the Owl Acoustic lounge,Friday, Aug. 27.
Joshua Beebe and the Forest Orchestra and the Dark Wrangler Duo will be playing the Owl Acoustic lounge, the next night.
And if you want to laugh, Mark mcCue returns home to perform at Good Times. on Saturday night for two shows at 7;30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
