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If you’re under the impression the WindRose Trio specializes only in serious reed-based music, think again. The ensemble, composed of Beth Levia (oboe), Matthew Howatt (bassoon) and St.

If you’re under the impression the WindRose Trio specializes only in serious reed-based music, think again.

The ensemble, composed of Beth Levia (oboe), Matthew Howatt (bassoon) and St. Albert’s own Jeff Campbell (clarinet) continue their sixth season with some fun.

This afternoon at Robertson-Wesley United Church, the trio is polishing their instruments for 90 minutes of mood pieces, Campbell explains. The light-hearted entertainment highlights music by two Edmonton composers — Roger Deegan and John McPherson.

From Deegan’s repertoire, they perform the children’s classic fairytale, King of the Cats. “Roger wrote a lot of film scores and it’s very theatrical. It’s very precise with very clear accents and fits nicely with the text.”

The trio is also playing John McPherson’s (principal trombonist for ESO) Three Guzintahs. Borrowing from Dave Brubeck’s jazzy Take Five, McPherson adds a discordant quality to this work specially rewritten for trio.

In addition they open with Marius Constant’s (Twilight Zone) newest rendering of Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon. They also added Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon and Jacques Ibert’s Cinq Pieces.

“The concert will have a lot of energy with an uplifting mood.”

Tickets for the 3 p.m. concert are $20 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Robertson-Wesley is located at 10209 – 123 St.

In conjunction with the Canoe Festival, Workshop West is hosting four readings from their Playwrights Unit this coming Sunday.

Get a taste of what the area’s local up-and-coming playwrights have to say with Phil Kreisel, Julie McKenzie, Lora Brovald and St. Albert’s David Johnston.

After the cast—– Liana Shannon, Tess Degenstein, Lora Brovold, Richard Lee, Cole Humeny and Michael Peng — read the works, a brief talkback-style session will be held.

The readings are at the University of Alberta’s Timms Centre lobby at the new time of 3 p.m. A freewill donation is accepted at the door.

Ever since Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore starred in Whip It, the film about a small-town girl who joins a roller derby league in Austin, Texas, the spotlight shines brightly on flat-track derbies.

The Black Gold Diggers were here several years before Whip It hit the screen. As last season’s undefeated all-women’s champs, they’re challenging the Slice Girls, the newest team to the E-Ville League, to an aggressive, tactical and fiercely competitive game tonight at the Edmonton Sports Dome (the former Golf Dome), 10104 – 32 Ave.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the game starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

This coming Tuesday, host Mark Ammar brings two veteran country artists to Ammar’s Open Stage — Real Fagnan and Rob Anderson.

Known for his lightning-fast fingers and true soulful feel, Fagnan has worked every major festival circuit in the area. “He currently works with country star Shyla Marie and in the past appeared with greats like Michelle Wright,” explains Ammar.

Anderson, on the other hand, is a pedal steel guitarist who has toured Canada, the United States and Europe several times. He’s also played live and on television with Opry stars including Hank Thompson, Jean Shepherd and Ferlin Husky.

“They are very hard-working road musicians with a real swingin’ style that brings out the best in blues, country and soul.”

The jam is at LBs Pub, 23 Akins Drive and starts at 9 p.m. No cover.

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