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Barrhead Arts Council kicks off new concert season on Nov. 29

The Barrhead Arts Council kicks off its 2018-2019 concert series with a performance on Thursday, Nov. 29, featuring Johnny Summers’ Little Big Band out of Calgary.

The Barrhead Arts Council kicks off its 2018-2019 concert series with a performance on Thursday, Nov. 29, featuring Johnny Summers’ Little Big Band out of Calgary.

According to his website, Johnny Summers is the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra (CJO), which he founded in 2004. He and his big band ensemble can perform a variety of jazz, soul, funk, blues, gospel and other musical varieties.

“My musical vision is simple: to reach people, to bring joy, to comment on the human condition, and to connect with others through my musical passions,” Johnny states on his website.

“There is no feeling more gratifying and humbling than to have touched someone through music, and I am forever thankful for the inspiration and encouragement this affords.”

The performance begins at 8 p.m. in the Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) drama theatre.

Johnny Summers’ Little Big Band is the first of four concerts during this year’s concert series, indicated Jennifer Lechelt of the Barrhead Arts Council.

All of the performers are selected during a musical showcase held in mid-October that is attended by community groups like the Barrhead Arts Council.

Lechelt said each performer will play for about 15 minutes, and there’s always an opportunity to chat with the musicians afterwards.

“They will drive across Canada for this 15-minute show. And then they’ll get a whole year of bookings … from the Alberta people,” she said.

Lethbridge singer/songwriter Tanner James will host the second concert of the season on Thursday, Feb. 28. Having seen him perform, Lechelt said James is an “old soul” with a knack for storytelling.

Finally, there will be two concerts in April. GhostBoy, a fiddle and guitar duo, will bring their mix of country, roots and acoustic music to the BCHS theatre on Thursday, April 4.

The season wraps up with Red Moon Road, a folk music/roots group hailing from Winnipeg, who will perform in Barrhead on Thursday, April 25.

Individual tickets for each show are $30 or $90 for a season pass, which can be purchased at Comfort Corner.

Because there are two shows taking place in April, Lechelt said she wanted to put on a show in January for the folks “who think they haven’t gone out in a long time.”

As such, Rapid Fire Theatre out of Edmonton will be bringing their immensely popular show “Off Book: The Improvised Musical” to the BCHS theatre on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.

Off Book has had seven sold-out runs at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, according to Rapid Fire Theatre’s website.

“I just contacted them and asked if they would bring that show to Barrhead. And they said they would,” said Lechelt.

Tickets for the improv show will be $25 each. They will be available at the Johnny Summers Little Big Band concert on Nov. 29 and at Corner Comfort afterwards.

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