The Arden is once again welcoming patrons into the electric atmosphere of St. Albert’s theatre, asking audiences to settle into its rich velvet seats for yet another season of diverse music and storytelling.

Only half the season has been announced thus far, but the lineup already zig-zags across genres and formats offering a compelling array of live entertainment options. From the deep roots music of Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express to a nostalgia-fueled screening of Bye Bye Blues with a post-show musical performance, fans of the stage once again have something to look forward to.

Speaking with Caitlin North, the Arden’s Professional Programming Presenter, she’s delighted to be greeting guests anew and to hear the roar of applause reverberating off the brick walls of the auditorium.

“I’m excited to see our patrons whom I have not had a chance to connect with,” says North. “Some of them I have seen over the summer [Plaza Series], but there are many familiar faces we still haven’t seen, and I’m hopeful that we’ll get to connect with them soon.”

Right off the top of the season, there are two co-presentations with local arts organizations. First, Bye Bye Blues: the Music & the Film brings the beloved Edmonton-filmed musical to the Arden’s big screen with the help of STARfest. The director, Anne Wheeler, is visiting STARfest to promote her book Taken by the Muse and will be in attendance at the film. To round out the evening, the screening will be followed by a performance of jazz favourites inspired by the film’s music.

“When I was a kid, I loved this movie,” says North. “I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve seen it. It’s partly because it was filmed here, so there’s a lot of connections to our local arts community.”

The second partnership comes by way of the SkirtsAFire Festival. North has been working with the multidisciplinary female-focused festival to bring Makings of a Voice to the stage.

“I’m really excited, in particular, to present Makings of a Voice, because SkirtsAFire wasn’t able to present that in person at their 2021 festival,” explains North. “So this is actually the first time they will be presenting it in front of a live audience. It’s just a really beautiful show.”

In an exploration of multi-generational relationships, writer and performer, Dana Wylieun finds her place among the other women in her family.

“It’s about finding her voice as a woman and mother,” says North. “She talks about her connection to the females in her family—whether her grandmother, her great grandmother and her own mother—and she talks about the history of the females in her family that she didn’t know, or wasn’t aware of until they had either passed or were in their older years. [It’s about] the strength of the women in her family and how she’s trying to embody that and carry that through.”

As we move into November, the focus shifts to music with the well-known Canadian rocker turned troubadour, Barney Bentall — along with the Cariboo Express — rolling through on November 6th. In this Old West-inspired variety show, Bentall brings his roots and country influences to the forefront. With a hefty discography built over decades in the music industry, Bentall fills this show with surprises and guests, revelling in that wild-west spirit.

The young, yet extremely talented, Calum Graham is next up. Named one of the World’s Top 30 Guitarists Under 30 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Graham’s classical or instrumental guitar style is dazzling.

“He is this pretty brilliant young guitarist,” says North, “and I think we’ve always had a lot of interest from our patrons in classical and traditional guitar music. I’m really excited to see him. He’s really gifted.”

The performance will take place at the renewed City Arts Space in Campbell Park, so audiences will also get a peek at this fresh-faced facility dedicated to the arts in our community.

Last, but certainly not least, is the renowned Tom Jackson’s annual seasonal show, dubbed Stories, Songs and Santa Causes, this year. A yearly highlight for many, Jackson entertains with a heartwarming evening of music brimming with the Christmas spirit.

With a heavy focus on regional artists, this (half) season is a chance to elevate the exceptional artists living in our own ‘backyard.’

“Whether they’re local or regional or from across the country, it’s nice to have this opportunity to introduce these artists to our audiences and to remind people of the wealth of talent that exists in this country,” finishes North.

For more information on the 2021 Arden Theatre season, please visit their website.

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