Kings arts scene - as of August 6

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

In Berwick

This Saturday night at the Union St. Café/ The Wick Pub in Berwick, the B'Town Blues Band will hold a dance party, starting at 9 p.m. Proprietor Jenny McCoy says, “we've been having such a great time watching these guys over the last year. They rock in a smooth, laid-back way... groovy and danceable, with hot guitar licks, incredible vocals, and quite possibly Canada's best keyboard player (who now lives right here in Berwick).” Tickets are $8.

August 18, the well-known Morgan Davis rolls into town. Davis plays and sings the blues with a soulful touch that is without equal. In recent years, Davis has refined and defined his playing style into a blues revival, swamp-boogie sound. Accenting this blues persona with his deep resonating voice and true-to-the-roots guitar work makes for a great combination: it helped him win the 2004 Juno for Blues Album of the Year for his latest, multi-award winning release, Painkiller. The show starts at 9 p.m and tickets are $12.

Erika Kulnys-Brain and special guest Andrea Curry will perform at The Wick August 23 at 8 p.m. Erika's songs range from sultry love to lyrics tackling issues. In the story-telling folk tradition, she writes about real human experiences. The fierce conviction in her voice can move the stiffest of hearts.

Special guests at the Kitchen Party August 24 are Alexia Melnychuk and Lara Yule Singh. When Singh received an invitation to perform at Fred Eaglesmith's Southern Ontario Picnic in Aylmer, she decided it was the perfect opportunity to hit the road. She and singer songwriter Alexia Melnychuk accompany each other on stage with an assortment of instruments - guitars, banjo, keyboard, melodica, and xylophone. Both artists are at work on new recordings due out May 2008.

The following evening, August 25, the Eddie Ellis Band, featuring members of the Tidal Funk Orchestra, perform at 9 p.m.

www.unionstreetcafe.ca

At the market

Saturday, August 11, Tom Haddal, a singer/ songwriter from Lunenburg, will entertain at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market.

Then, August 18 the Mud Creek Boys will be on the outdoor stage. This popular local band includes J.P Huang (guitar/ mandolin/ autoharp), Ian Spooner (banjo/ guitar) and Peter Williams (bass/ guitar).

August 25, Gayle Lahey is set to perform with St. FX music graduate Todd Marsh.

Summer exhibit

The Perfect Hat: A History of Local Headwear continues until Sept. 15 at Randall House Museum, 259 Main Street, Wolfville. This exhibit displays some outstanding examples of men's and women's hats. Try on some hats and find out your hat size. For information, call 542-9775 or wolfvillehs@ednet.ns.ca.

In performance

Canadian pianist Terence Dawson will be performing a benefit recital to support the Hall's Harbour Scholarship Fund Wednesday, August 15 at 8 p.m. in Denton Hall, Wolfville.

Admission is $15 per adult, $12 for seniors and students and $35 for families up to four. All proceeds will support deserving Hall's Harbour area students in furthering post secondary studies.

On tour

Travel Across the Maritimes, Andrea Curry & Glitter Cinnamon and the Candy Wrappers will make a stop in Wolfville August 9 at The Library Pub, Wolfville.

Coming from Cape Breton, Curry was nominated for three East Coast Music Awards in 2006 and two Nova Scotia Music Awards last year for her debut CD.

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See Julie Christie

Fundy Film continues its Summer Series with Away From Her, a beautifully moving love story that deals with memory (and its loss) and the circuitous paths of a long marriage. Directed by Sarah Polley, this Canadian film stars Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie. It will screen at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville Sunday, August 12 at 8 p.m.

For further information, see www.fundyfilm.ca or call 542-5157. Tickets ($8) are available 30 minutes prior to the film.



At the Verge

Upcoming at this busy Wolfville venue are August 10 - Gypsophilia (gypsy-swing jazz), August 12 - Kyra & Tully (singer/ songwriter duo) and August 19 - Matt Minglewood (solo) (blues/ rock/ country).

Check out the new website, www.gatherontheverge.ca, to be be updated weekly with menus, upcoming shows and special events.

In Windsor

Halifax singer/ songwriter Ruth Minnikin and Saskatoon trio The Cracker Cats are performing August 10 at The Mermaid Theatre Loft, 112 Gerrish St, Windsor. Showtime is at 9 p.m., doors at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Then, August 17 and 18, actors Matthew Stephenson and Kate Lavender are touring a true drama of two PEI teenagers in 1887. It will perform at 8 p.m. both evenings, and a Saturday matinee is planned for 2 p.m. in the Mermaid loft.

Call 798-5841 ext. 7 for info and reservations.



Coming up

August 12

Kyra & Tully, On the Verge, Wolfville, 7 p.m.

Until August 12

The Odyssey, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, near Canning

Until August 15

Shirley Valentine, ATF, Festival Theatre, Wolfville

August18

Morgan Davis, The Wick, 9 p.m

Until August 18

Waiting for the Parade, CentreStage Theatre, Kentville, 678-8040

August 23

Erika Kulnys-Brain and Andrea Curry, The Wick, 8 p.m.

August 24

Kitchen Party at The Wick, with Alexia Melnychuk and Lara Yule Singh

Until September 2

Sara Hartland-Rowe exhibition, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, near Canning

Until Sept. 9

The Drawer Boy, ATF, Festival Theatre, Wolfville

Send arts items to welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca