This weekend’s roundup includes three theatre shows, poetry readings, a performance by musicians from the FHS Music Department and more.
Friday
the coop present The Despot at The Black Box Theatre. the coop, in collaboration with St. Thomas University’s Advanced Drama Production students have been in the studio creating a new work of physical theatre that peeks into the sordid, lonely and occasionally hilarious minds of some of the world’s most nefarious characters. Directed by Lisa Anne Ross with choreography by Lesandra Dodson, and featuring a cast of students, the work is a non-linear physical romp that unpacks the evils, illness and myopia of characters such as Margaret Thatcher, Napoleon, Marilyn Monroe, Mark Zuckerburg, and Kris Jenner. From YouTube stars gone awry to Sarah Palin’s softer side, the production pokes apart the underbelly of those that often remain one dimensional in the minds of the public. Given the current state of the world, this production provides a much needed antidote to combat the growing proliferation of despots. And even better, the production is Trump free. April 5-6. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are pay-whatyou-can at the door.
Branch Out Productions presents Alice in Wonderland Jr at the Fredericton Art Building. Our BOP Jr. Company invites you travel down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland! Join Alice, The Queen of Hearts, The Tweedles, White Rabbit and more as they bring the classic Disney movie to life. April 4-5 at 7 p.m. April 6 at 2 p.m. $15.
Body Paint + 86 & 8 + Mitch Rayner at The Capital. Moncton funk act Body Paint make their Fredericton debut alongside locals 86 & * and Mitch Rayner. 10 p.m. $6.
Theatre UNB Presents William Wycherly’s The Country Wife at Memorial Hall. Theatre UNB’s final production of the season will be William Wycherley’s Restoration comedy; a comic romp that satirized the hypocritical sexual mores of the upper class, the play delighted audiences on its premiere in 1675 with its cutting wit and farcical bawdy humour, but was denounced by more puritanical critics for its indecency. April 3-6 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. $8-$10-$14.
Kathy Hutch at The Tipsy Muse Café. Cathy is a singer/songwriter from New Brunswick, who has previously recorded in Nashville and her co-written song about her daughter, called “I’m In Here,’ has become known around the world as the Anthem for Autism.Cathy writes, sings and performs from the heart. Her music beautifully expresses her love of classic rock and blues, along with soul-stirring ballads, and her lyrics are at once poignant yet uplifting and celebrates the joy and the resilience of the human spirit. 7 p.m. $8.
Saturday
Joyful Noise + Les MoonTunes at The Capital Complex. Dance away a night of sound exploration and angular grooves from two of Atlantic Canada’s fastest rising bands. Les MoonTunes are 7-piece psychedelic soul band and Joyful Noise are coming in fresh from their ECMA nomination for Best Instrumental Recording 2019. 10:30 p.m. $8.
An Evening of Art and Cheer in the Student Union Ballroom. For the third year in a row, the MBA Professional Development class at the University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus will be hosting An Evening of Art and Cheer, a live paint off and craft-tasting in support of UNB’s MBA Community Leadership Scholarship Fund. The evening will feature four live rounds of painting by local artists, free craft tastings by local brewers and live music. Paintings will be available for purchase through a silent auction. 7 p.m. $50.
Playwright’s Cabaret at The Tipsy Muse Cafe. Featured presenters include Ryan Griffith, Sandra Bell, Greg Everett, Sue Rose, Dylan Sealy, Ron Kelly Spurles, Mark Blagrave, Bet O’Toole, and James McClure. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to support Playwright Atlantic Resource Centre’s efforts to cultivate the dramatic arts across the Atlantic Provinces. 7 p.m.
Sunday
Open Mic at Grimross Brewing. All welcome; music, poetry, storytelling and more. 2-5 p.m.
The FHS Music Department presents their Pops Concert in the Park in the FHS Cafeteria.Inspired by the tradition of summertime band concerts in Central Park and other public green spaces in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, we create a lively atmosphere of music and family fun, bringing the spirit of spring inside (even if the weather outside disagrees). The String Ensemble, Glee Choir, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble will perform, as well as a clarinet quartet and guests from George Street Middle School.
This year the theme is Motown—each group has selected music from the record label’s heyday of the 60’s and 70’s. There will be a concession stand, a games area, an old-fashioned cakewalk, and a silent auction featuring donations from many local businesses. This event is a fundraiser for our Parent Support Group, which helps organize our concert series and ensemble member activities like our Fun Night and our year-end banquet. Admission is by donation; come kick off spring with some great music and family entertainment! 2:30 p.m.
Odd Sundays at The Tipsy Muse Café. Join new author Amy Spurway at the Tipsy Muse Cafe on Sunday April 7 to celebrate the launch of her new book Crow. This event begins at 2 P.M. with Odd Sundays (featuring 2 readers including Amy Spurway and an open mic) and ends with a music-filled book launch party. Books will be available for sale from Westminster Books. 2 p.m. Free.
Fredericton Concert & Marching Band Spring Concert at Kinsella Auditorium. The Fredericton Concert and Marching Band presents its spring concert, featuring a bouquet of refreshing musical selections for concert band. Admission is by donation, proceeds go towards the John Patton Memorial Scholarship Fund. 7:30 p.m.
This Week in Fredericton was created with notes from the Fredericton Arts Alliance‘s weekly newsletter as well as Music Runs Through It‘s weekly Fredericton music update. We encourage you to visit both these valuable community resources for more detailed information on these and other events happening This Week in Fredericton.
