Dirty Dishes serving up Sangudo show

For the Dirty Dishes, live performances are about getting people up and dancing.

That was the message from Dirty Dishes guitarist Lisa Olafson, who spoke to the Barrhead Leader Jan. 31 and noted the band’s upcoming performance at Connections Coffee House, in Sangudo Feb. 11, is part of the Home Routes Concert Series. Following the show, they head to Toronto to participate in the Winterfolk festival Feb. 16 to 18.

“We’re three women who do three-part harmonies and perform a lot of fun tunes that are meant to get you up and singing along with us,” Olafson said, adding it’s often the younger audience members who participate the most.

The Dirty Dishes perform music that blends country, bluegrass and gospel.

“We call it ‘roots’ because that’s such a great, expressive word that works as an umbrella for all these different genres,” she said, noting in addition to a shared love of music, all three women – Olafson, guitarist Suzy Wilde and fiddler Alison Porter have acting backgrounds.

Olafson said it is because of the interest in acting and music that the band, which formed in 2013, still exists, adding their shows typically involve trivia, skits and jokes in-between songs.

“Because we all share similar backgrounds, we felt we could incorporate more entertainment into our show rather than just singing tunes like everyone else. It makes for a better night out,” Olafson said.

“You know, I’m from the Edmonton and Red Deer areas and I’ve never travelled much north of the city. I’m excited for this tour because of that. I just hope the cold snaps get out of the way before we get there.”

For more information about the band, visit the Dirty Dishes website at www.dirty-dishes.ca and to purchase tickets or RSVP in advance, call the Connections Coffee House at 780-785-3494.

Tickets are $20, $25 for the buffet and doors open at 6 p.m.