The Arts Station

Coco’s Warmth Shines Through

If you saw her at Canada Day, you will want to see her again!

“Alcorn is a true performer with the talent and originality to help us get back into caring about good, original music. She can belt out a pop tune, play with your emotions in a blues number or skat with the best of them on a jazz track. She moves seamlessly through genres on this CD and somehow it works. The opening song “For Just One Night” starts out as one of the prettiest pop ballads I’ve ever heard and then it switches gears as she pulls off a verse of skat and then borders on hip-hop, if for just a moment. This CD is rich both vocally and instrumentally and is one of the best I have heard this year.â€? Earshot (National).

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $12/adult; $8/youth. Non-member tickets: $15/adult; $10/youth.

Feet Tapping Tanglefoot Back in Fernie

One of the most thoroughly entertaining bands you’re ever likely to see, Tanglefoot is coming back to Fernie. Internationally renowned for their superb musicianship and electrifying energy, this band of songwriters has a well-deserved reputation for being among the front rank of Canadian performers. Their knack for creating extremely memorable story-songs has captivated audiences across Canada, the US and Britain.

With hints of Celtic, French-Canadian and English influences, Tanglefoot’s sound is difficult to categorize yet broadly appealing, with stunning vocal harmonies and finely-crafted material that exudes warmth, excitement and a distinctly quirky view of the Canadian saga. Their second-to-none live show leaves you “…with the satisfaction of having read an engrossing novel, with the added bonus of a memorable soundtrack,” (Sing-Out Magazine, Spring 2007).

This is a concert you will not forget.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $20/adult; $12/youth. Non-member tickets: $25/adult; $15/youth.

Born to Bluegrass

As one of the acoustic world’s top-ranked mandolin players and composers, veteran artist John Reischman is renowned for his exquisite taste, tone and impeccable musicianship.

His mastery of the instrument is showcased today in the powerful bluegrass band John Reischman and the Jaybirds, and his Latin/jazz instrumental duo with highly-regarded acoustic guitar stylist John Miller. John’s synthesis of this wide range of genres was honed over more than two decades of performing beginning in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1970s.

As an original member of the legendary Tony Rice Unit, John helped to define the ‘new acoustic’ instrumental scene in the early 1980s with appearances on the band’s groundbreaking Rounder albums Still Inside and Backwaters.

Now a familiar figure at bluegrass, folk and jazz festivals, John is also a highly-regarded teacher and participates in music camps and workshops throughout North America.

Check out their website

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $20/adult; $12/youth. Non-member tickets: $25/adult; $15/youth.

…Jazz like you never imagined

Trombonist William Carn has emerged as one of Canada’s leading contemporary jazz composers and performers. As a bandleader, William currently leads the William Carn Quintet, that featurs some of Canada’s finest musicians. The group includes Kelly Jefferson, saxophones; David Braid, piano; Kieran Overs, bass; and Anthony Michelli, drums.

He has performed and recorded with jazz artists such as Rob McConnell, Randy Brecker, David Binney, Kenny Wheeler, Barry Harris, Jane Bunnett, Kevin Mahogany, Mike Murley, Hilario Duran, Andrew Downing, Bernie Senensky, Don Thompson, and Phil Dwyer. His debut release, Other Stories, was nominated for a 2007 Juno Award as Traditional Jazz Album of the Year. He has also been nominated for Trombonist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

William also enjoys a diverse freelance career in Toronto having worked with classical ensembles like the Niagara Brass Quintet, musicals including The Producers, Frank: A Life in Song and Grease, and also numerous studio and concert engagements for commercial artists such as Sarah Slean, Hawksley Workman, Emily Haynes, Kathleen Edwards, Dionne Taylor, Sophie Millman, Jeff Healy, Colin James, Jack Soul, Jarvis Church, Jon Secada, Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Christopher Cross, Sisqo, Frankie Valli, and Don Rickles.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $12/adult; $8/youth. Non-member tickets: $15/adult; $10/youth.

Upbeat Celtic Music

This inspired and talented young band from Victoria, BC challenges you to pin a label on their music. The Gruff filter numerous folk traditions through the sieve of modern experience to create a truly unique sound. From old-time to country; from bluegrass to good old rock ‘n’ roll; these young songwriters harmonize, sing and shout songs of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. The Gruff bring a smile to every audience.

The essence of The Gruff was hatched from the days of traditional Irish pub tunes - then called Billy Goats Gruff - evolved and grew together, creating a comfortable rapport with each. Their three-part harmonies, rich and sweet, have been known to melt a heart of stone. The Gruff’s instrumental prowess is unusual in such a young group and they have traveled from coast to coast, stomping stages as far away as Halifax.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $12/adult; $8/youth. Non-member tickets: $15/adult; $10/youth.

This five piece band will make a strong impression with their ‘fiercely original – often breathtaking’ music.

Mark your calendar – you won’t want to miss them.

Prepare yourself to be taken on an imaginative journey from pop, rock and folk to new wave, performed seamlessly without irony or pretense. Give a big hand to ‘The Buttless Chaps’.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $12/adult; $8/youth. Non-member tickets: $15/adult; $10/youth.

Direct from Brazil, Diva Lights the Fernie Stage

Fernanda Cunha, the brilliant singer from Rio de Janeiro, will be thrilling the audience with sultry Latino tones of samba & bossa-nova, right here in Fernie.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $18/adult; $10/youth. Non-member tickets: $20/adult; $12/youth.

Before the end of the world tour

Sometime before May 18th 2007, JASON TRACHTENBURG, BOUNCING BOBBY WISEMAN and THE PHONEMES were kidnapped by an unnamed branch of the Lithuanian government and flown to Vilnius, where they were forced to answer serious questions about slides and super 8 projectors mixed with accordions and/ or guitars.

Fortunately the Canadian government now led by Stephen Harper had boosted their investment in all-things-military (because pay equity, aboriginal issues and poverty in Canada was solved?) and spies, proficient in Lithuanian, French and English were able to rekidnap (a real word) and set free JASON TRACHTENBURG, BOUNCING BOBBY WISEMAN and THE PHONEMES.

To celebrate their restored liberty they decided to perform new and old works on SUNDAY MAY 20th in FERNIE using slide projectors, super 8’s, musical instruments and call this demonstration the BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD TOUR.

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $18/adult; $10/youth. Non-member tickets: $20/adult; $12/youth.

Sadly, this show was cancelled due to Lorne’s health.

www.lorne-elliott.com

“I would be proud to share the stage with him anytime, anywhere.� Waylon Jennings

“…he is one of the most important guitar players of his generation.â€? Chet Atkins

“What you have to say as an artist and your special talents are a credit to the entire Canadian music industry.� Adrienne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada

“…truly phenomenal. It has been a long time since I have been witness to not only the audience being blown away by someone’s immense talent but also an entire orchestra. The energy that came from the stage was electrifying and contagious.â€? Michael Reason, Artistic Director, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

–
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sideman, innovator, recording artist, award winner. His names are many, but underlying that is a young man with an ancient soul who has traveled the world for the past 23 years bringing his unique brand of joy to audiences wherever he goes.

J.P. Cormier began playing guitar, self taught, at the age of 5 and quickly became immersed in the rich musical heritage of his Cape Breton roots. By the age of 9, he was considered a genuine prodigy and won his first guitar competition against 30 other players three times his age. By his mid-teens, it became obvious J.P. could play almost any stringed instrument he picked up. However it was his guitar playing which shone with his flawless executions of tunes he learned from records of giants like Chet Atkins and Doc Watson.

At 16, Cormier recorded his first album, a collection of bluegrass instrumentals. With the project in hand, he worked his way across the U.S. festival circuit - performing for anyone who might take notice. These appearances led to a move to the U.S., and 10 years of session work, live appearances, and many memorable nights at the Grand Ole Opry with such notable artists as Waylon Jennings, Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Charlie Louvin, and Vince Gill.

www.jp-cormier.com

Tickets are available at the Blue Toque, Carosella's, Freshies, the Good Earth and The Arts Station.
FDAC Member tickets: $18/adult; $10/youth. Non-member tickets: $20/adult; $12/youth.