Latest Entertainment, Art & Hollywood Showbiz News | Edmonton Journal

Book from The Yardbirds' drummer has a medium and message from his late wife

It was Jim McCarty’s wife Elisabeth who suggested he write his new book, She Walks in Beauty.

Edmonton has a colourful history as a Christmas movie location

Edmonton would seem like the perfect location to make Christmas movies, but oddly there have only been a handful.

2021 Edmonton holiday blog: Jingle Jammin' in Eastwood; Students help out Hope Mission; The great eggnog debate; Christmas lights map

With the holiday season here, we’ve created this blog to keep you up-to-date on Christmas events and stories happening in the Edmonton area. Check back regularly for a dose of yuletide cheer to help get you into the spirit of the season.

Three to See: Chuckle Ruckus, Pro Coro Canada and Mangled Tapes Solstice Party

Chuckle Ruckus : With the departure of Chuckle Ruckus founder Tim Mikula to Toronto, where he now wanders the streets like a ghoul, the comedy trio has transformed and evolved into a three-woman show starring Catriona Hurley, Tyra Banda and Elanja Corosky. In sad tribute to him, they are wearing mourning moustaches on their faces, but this too shall pass! The Ruckus still promises wild, gonzo, filthy sketch comedy with lots of profanity and drug refernces, and it’s going to be amazing to see what they come up with, so check it out. As they state, “Let us help you realize your full weirdo fantasies for the price of $10.69.”

Fresh Tracks: A reunion, a tribute and a debut make for musical holidays

The McDades — The Empress I dare you to not move or drift off in a blissful daydream listening to this trio of gifted siblings, The McDades — Shannon Johnson (violin), Solon McDade (bass), and Jeremiah McDade (winds, guitar; they all contribute vocals). This long-awaited reunion is the group’s fourth album, the first in more than a decade since the Juno Award-winning Bloom, and their most varied, spirited set ever.

Edmonton has a colourful history as a Christmas movie location

Edmonton would seem like the perfect location to make Christmas movies, but oddly there have only been a handful.

Three to See Friday: Elf — The Musical, Winter Valley Warmup and Private Blue

Elf — The Musical : Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised — unaware he’s human — until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. With a cast of 30 and a 15-piece orchestra, this presentation by the Festival Players is appropriately big, given the subject, continuing an 18-year tradition of Christmas fare.

The List: Choirs, choirs everywhere

Appearing live for the first time in 650 days, Kokopelli Choirs is presenting three Wintersong concerts — each a little different — this Saturday at McDougall United Church, 10025 101 St.

2021 Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund recipients announced and given $15,000 each

The 2021 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards are in — the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation’s juried annual prize in part to encourage artists to stay here instead of running off to bigger markets.

Three to See: Hawksley's Almost a Full Moon, River Valley News and Spencer

Almost a Full Moon : Hawksley Workman is a lovely man, who rose through the Canadian indie scene singing of his jealousy of cigarettes into a place where he wrote a lovely book about collectively making soup. Commissioned by the Citadel, Almost a full Moon is inspired by his well-loved and absolutely lovely Christmas album-turned-book, a staged reading concert event where three storylines come to life, then together, with the help of screenwriter and actor Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman. Daryl Cloran directs this warm-and-fuzzy-sounding piece of theatre. Two hours with intermission, age recommendation: 10+.

2021 Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund recipients announced and given $15,000 each

The 2021 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards are in — the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation’s juried annual prize in part to encourage artists to stay here instead of running off to bigger markets.

Young Edmonton actor bit by film bug after working with Sandra Bullock

Eight-year-old Edmonton actor Neli Kastrinos has her sights set on a film career after playing alongside Sandra Bullock in Netflix’s new full-length drama, The Unforgivable.

Three to See Friday: Freecloud, Bassjackers and Hawkeye

Freecloud returns : Following a soft reopening, Edmonton physical-music mainstay Freecloud Records now has its new sign up and is celebrating its grand reopening on Black Friday and Record Store Day — such a great place to buy everything from old C&W records to premium vinyl reissues of all your favourite boomer “rock band” classics to the latest Colter Wall and Scenic Route to Alaska platters. “From here on in there’s no work to be done at the front door,” longtime owner and Mad Bomber Rich Liukko promises after 15 months of pandemic-tangled building renos amid the other lockdowns. Long one of the most beat-up-looking record stores through the decades, the vertical blue bricks and crisp font on the front have not tampered with the beautiful mayhem within, come take a look and grab some rarities.

'Slightly naughty': How Peter Jackson eavesdropped on the Beatles in 1969

Filmmaker Peter Jackson used AI to reveal the Fab Four's private conversations behind their guitar strumming

What is Ottawa? Jeopardy! contestants don't get the clue

Three to See: Chuckle Ruckus, Pro Coro Canada and Mangled Tapes Solstice Party

Chuckle Ruckus : With the departure of Chuckle Ruckus founder Tim Mikula to Toronto, where he now wanders the streets like a ghoul, the comedy trio has transformed and evolved into a three-woman show starring Catriona Hurley, Tyra Banda and Elanja Corosky. In sad tribute to him, they are wearing mourning moustaches on their faces, but this too shall pass! The Ruckus still promises wild, gonzo, filthy sketch comedy with lots of profanity and drug refernces, and it’s going to be amazing to see what they come up with, so check it out. As they state, “Let us help you realize your full weirdo fantasies for the price of $10.69.”

Our local holiday gift guide, leaning into decor, textiles and workshops

One of the most satisfying ways to fight monoculture and maintain an exciting city is shopping local, and Edmonton businesses sure appreciate your support — especially in this month that makes their year.

Three to See Friday: Elf — The Musical, Winter Valley Warmup and Private Blue

Elf — The Musical : Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised — unaware he’s human — until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. With a cast of 30 and a 15-piece orchestra, this presentation by the Festival Players is appropriately big, given the subject, continuing an 18-year tradition of Christmas fare.

The List: Choirs, choirs everywhere

Appearing live for the first time in 650 days, Kokopelli Choirs is presenting three Wintersong concerts — each a little different — this Saturday at McDougall United Church, 10025 101 St.

Shumka's annual Nutcracker production weaves together generations in Edmonton's Ukrainian community

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker might be the sweetest way for families to celebrate Christmas. Starting with the story’s Christmas Eve party, it really takes off once little Clara’s new toy nutcracker comes to life and whisks her away to a fairy land of dance, battling soldiers, mice and merrymaking.

Book from The Yardbirds' drummer has a medium and message from his late wife

It was Jim McCarty’s wife Elisabeth who suggested he write his new book, She Walks in Beauty.

Three to See: Chuckle Ruckus, Pro Coro Canada and Mangled Tapes Solstice Party

Chuckle Ruckus : With the departure of Chuckle Ruckus founder Tim Mikula to Toronto, where he now wanders the streets like a ghoul, the comedy trio has transformed and evolved into a three-woman show starring Catriona Hurley, Tyra Banda and Elanja Corosky. In sad tribute to him, they are wearing mourning moustaches on their faces, but this too shall pass! The Ruckus still promises wild, gonzo, filthy sketch comedy with lots of profanity and drug refernces, and it’s going to be amazing to see what they come up with, so check it out. As they state, “Let us help you realize your full weirdo fantasies for the price of $10.69.”

Fresh Tracks: A reunion, a tribute and a debut make for musical holidays

The McDades — The Empress I dare you to not move or drift off in a blissful daydream listening to this trio of gifted siblings, The McDades — Shannon Johnson (violin), Solon McDade (bass), and Jeremiah McDade (winds, guitar; they all contribute vocals). This long-awaited reunion is the group’s fourth album, the first in more than a decade since the Juno Award-winning Bloom, and their most varied, spirited set ever.

Three to See Friday: Elf — The Musical, Winter Valley Warmup and Private Blue

Elf — The Musical : Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised — unaware he’s human — until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. With a cast of 30 and a 15-piece orchestra, this presentation by the Festival Players is appropriately big, given the subject, continuing an 18-year tradition of Christmas fare.

2021 Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund recipients announced and given $15,000 each

The 2021 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards are in — the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation’s juried annual prize in part to encourage artists to stay here instead of running off to bigger markets.

Book from The Yardbirds' drummer has a medium and message from his late wife

It was Jim McCarty’s wife Elisabeth who suggested he write his new book, She Walks in Beauty.

Our local holiday gift guide, leaning into decor, textiles and workshops

One of the most satisfying ways to fight monoculture and maintain an exciting city is shopping local, and Edmonton businesses sure appreciate your support — especially in this month that makes their year.

2021 Edmonton Artists' Trust Fund recipients announced and given $15,000 each

The 2021 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund awards are in — the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Community Foundation’s juried annual prize in part to encourage artists to stay here instead of running off to bigger markets.

Three to See: Hawksley's Almost a Full Moon, River Valley News and Spencer

Almost a Full Moon : Hawksley Workman is a lovely man, who rose through the Canadian indie scene singing of his jealousy of cigarettes into a place where he wrote a lovely book about collectively making soup. Commissioned by the Citadel, Almost a full Moon is inspired by his well-loved and absolutely lovely Christmas album-turned-book, a staged reading concert event where three storylines come to life, then together, with the help of screenwriter and actor Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman. Daryl Cloran directs this warm-and-fuzzy-sounding piece of theatre. Two hours with intermission, age recommendation: 10+.

Growing Things: Don't let your tree trunk seal over

Q We like to put up our real Christmas tree early so we can enjoy it. Last year we put the tree up in the first week of December and it was losing a lot of needles by Christmas. I followed your tips I’ve read in the past and cut a couple of centimetres off the bottom of the trunk just after I brought it home at the end of November, and put it into a pail of water in the garage. When we were ready to decorate, I went to get the tree and found the water had frozen solid so I chipped it off, brought it in and decorated it. We kept the tree watered but noticed it was not absorbing much water and then the needle drop started. What can we do to keep this from happening this year?

Book from The Yardbirds' drummer has a medium and message from his late wife

It was Jim McCarty’s wife Elisabeth who suggested he write his new book, She Walks in Beauty.

Hamilton tickets on sale Wednesday

The acclaimed production Hamilton is coming to Edmonton next summer and tickets are finally going on sale.

Life and Times: Tom Doran was much more than Edmonton's Godfather of Drums

Edmonton’s musical community skipped a few beats following the recent death of groove master Tom Doran at the age of 78.

Young Edmonton actor bit by film bug after working with Sandra Bullock

Eight-year-old Edmonton actor Neli Kastrinos has her sights set on a film career after playing alongside Sandra Bullock in Netflix’s new full-length drama, The Unforgivable.

Chantal Kreviazuk finally bringing her new music to River Cree Saturday

In June 2020, Chantal Kreviazuk put out Get to You, a style-hopping, delicious new pop album which she even got to tour a little … in between those infamously fun-eclipsing pandemic shutdowns.