Y ENTERTAINMENT
Talent Spotlight
JAMES COCKELL
When James Cockell was only three years old , his parents put a violin in his hands . But it was not until he was in university that the desire to pursue music professionally finally settled in . “ I did English for my first degree , so I was working towards being a writer ,” he explains . “ I was doing music on the side , and at some point I started to work and realized it was a lot more engaging for me .”
His work in music began when a university friend needed a violinist for a Hungarian folk group , which evolved into a career as a freelance violinist , working routinely with such groups as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra , the Alberta Baroque Ensemble , and the Citadel Theatre . “ Both my mom and my dad played in the orchestra back in the day , so it ’ s kind of like the family business ,” says Cockell . “ For me , because I freelance , it ’ s never the same routine week to week . You come up against new challenges all the time .”
In these months alone , Cockell is involved in several projects , either as a performer or an organizer . He ’ s one of the talented musicians playing in the pre-Broadway production of Hadestown ( pg 29 ) and is organizing the orchestras for Legend of Zelda ( pg 27 ) and Salute to Vienna ( pg 27 ).
One new and exciting challenge in particular is the upcoming production of Amadeus Live ( below )— the full-length movie accompanied by a 55-piece orchestra and a 50-person choir . “ This is the first time that I ’ ve organized anything that involved an entire film ,” says Cockell . “ And there are some obscure instruments involved in this . This is the first time I ’ ve had to find basset horns anywhere !”
Although he does have a bias , Cockell still avidly recommends the Edmonton arts scene — particularly because of its evolution and diversity . “ We ’ ve got the theatre , the symphony , the opera — all these great things that are actually really accessible now . It ’ s not just for upper-class , wealthy old people ,” he says , noting the current line-up that includes classical composers , video games , and Hollywood scores . “ It ’ s been really exciting to see it grow and change . There ’ s something for everyone .”
The following is a brief selection of concerts , performances , dinner theatres , festivals , special and sporting events that WHERE believes are worthy of your attention .
Coordinates refer to maps on pages 59 to 61 .
COMEDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 CONCERTS & MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 CULINARY EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 DANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 FAIRS & EXHIBITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 FAMILY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 FESTIVALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 HOLIDAYS & OBSERVANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SPECIAL EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SPORTING EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 STAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CASINOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 LIVE MUSIC CLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 LOUNGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 PUBS & BARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FOR FULL LISTINGS , PLEASE VISIT where . ca / edmonton
PIXAR FANS
The following symbols , located at the end of each listing , denote the establishment ’ s location :
D — Downtown
N — North Edmonton S — South Edmonton W — West Edmonton
COMEDY
BOB SAGET Nov 11 — Though this isn ’ t a comedy routine from the family-friendly Danny Tanner you remember from Full House , your sides will still be sore from laughter as you enjoy his vulgar stand-up routine . River Cree Resort & Casino , 300 East Lapotac Blvd ., Corner of Whitemud Dr . & Winterburn Rd . ( 215 St .), Enoch , 780-484-2121 . rivercreetickets . com Map 1-A5
DEMETRI MARTIN Nov 19 — Stand up comedian , writer , and director Demetri Martin is returning to Edmonton to perform his brand new show , Let ' s Get Awkward . Winspear Centre , 4 Sir Winston Churchill Sq ., 780-428-1414 . Map 3-J3 D
CONCERTS & MUSIC
A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS Dec 1 & 2 — Experience the holiday hits and favourites from Alberta singer-songwriter Jann Arden , from her 14th and first ever Christmas album , A Jann Arden Christmas . Winspear Centre , 4 Sir Winston Churchill Sq ., 780-428- 1414 . Map 3-J3 D
A TRIBE CALLED RED Dec 2 — This Canadian electronic music group blends reggae and hip hop , with drumming and chanting for a unique musical experience . The Needle Vinyl Tavern , 10524 Jasper Ave ., 780-756-9045 . Map 3-D5 D
AMADEUS LIVE Nov 17 & 18 — Watch the Academy Award-winning film , Amadeus , in sync with a live orchestra — including musicians from the Edmonton Symphony — and choir as they perform Mozart ' s most celebrated works . Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium , 11455-87 Ave ., 780-427-2760 . Map 1-D4 S
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE Nov 19 — This Canadian singer-songwriter is known for focusing her work to reflect the issues of the Indigenous peoples in North America . Experience her 1960s protest anthems and powwow rock chants live . Festival Place , 100 Festival Way , Sherwood Park , 780-464-2852 .
DALLAS SMITH Nov 10 — You ' ll want this Canadianborn country music star ' s “ Autograph ,” as he is currently touring with his Juno Award-nominated album , Side Effects . See him perform chart-topping hits like “ Tippin ' Point ” and “ Wastin ' Gas .” Northlands Coliseum , 7424-118 Ave ., 780- 471-7210 . Map 1-E3 N
DIANA KRALL Dec 7 — This Canadian jazz singer and pianist has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and has become known for her mesmerizing contralto singing voice .
These are the final months to discover the science behind your favourite animated films — this exhibit at TWOSE closes January 7 ! ( pg 28 )
PHOTO COURTESY JAMES COCKELL
26 where . ca // NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017