Workshop West’s Canoe Theatre Festival launched three years ago to replace the defunct Kaboom! festival. This year it’s expanding from five shows to seven with a total of 46 local, national and international artists scheduled to take part.
The festival, which aims to create a hotbed of theatrical innovation by introducing the latest contemporary trends, runs Jan. 19 to 31 at various Edmonton venues.
London, England’s Rotazaza Theatre imports Etiquette, a play about two restaurant patrons that become both performers and the cafĂ©’s only audience.
Edmonton’s Cowgirl Opera Theatre springs PIG on audiences, a mock rock revival spectacle where a female evangelist and her sleazy partner lure young women into peep shows.
Toronto’s Small Wooden Shoe’s contribution is Dedicated to the Revolution, a cheeky look at the impact of seven major scientific revolutions on culture.
Edmonton’s Surreal SoReal Theatre remounts Grumplestock’s, a 2006 Fringe hit about a travelling show of marionettes that fall off their wagon and become fugitives.
Another local company, Vault: Theatre of Inventions is producing an updated, site-specific physical theatre presentation of Hedda Gabler in Rutherford House.
Frankie Productions from Halifax revives Lauchie, Liza & Rory, an award-winning hit about a comedic Cape Breton love triangle involving a woman who marries the wrong twin.
And finally, Edmonton’s Prosperous Tangueros Consortium reawakens the poetry of Jannie Edwards in Blood Opera: The Raven Tango Poems, a kaleidoscope of narration, imagery and the Argentine tango.
Individual tickets cost between $8 and $25. A festival pass is $75. Call 780-477-4955 or visit the website at www.workshopwest.org.
Two musicians who keep the local blues scene alive are Crawdad Canterra and Ronnie Rault, and both are appearing at Ammar’s Open Stage this coming Tuesday.
While January tends to be a slow music month, Crawdad has a knack for igniting those musical fires. With 30 years experience under his belt, Crawdad has worked with numerous American musicians and is now playing with Shade Tree Mechanics, Jimmy and the Sleepers, The Flying Crawdads and Front Porch Review. “He’s one of the best harmonica players I have seen,” says co-host Mark Ammar.
Featured alongside Crawdad is good buddy, Ronnie Rault. This disciplined bass player has spent years touring with some of the best — John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Honey Boy Edwards, The Pointer Sisters and John Mayall.
“These cagey vets play the true blues and I’ve learned a lot watching them. Don’t miss this one.”
Crawdad and Rault are playing LBs Pub at 23 Akins Drive starting at 9 p.m. No cover.
