This weekend’s roundup includes theatre, music, house concerts, fundraisers and more.
Friday
Cinema Politica Fredericton presents Pride Denied. Set to the backdrop of World Pride in Toronto in June 2014, Pride Denied explores the concepts of pride and homo-nationalism through interviews with activists, community organizers, artists, and academics. The film will be followed by an optional discussion with member of cohosting group:, the Fredericton Feminist Film Collective.
All are welcome. Screenings are free but donations are welcome. Conserver House location is wheelchair accessible but the washrooms are up the stairs. 7 p.m.
Branch Out Productions presents The Parfumerie in the Tom Morrison Theatre (Dec. 6-8).Romance and retail—who could ask for anything more from the holiday season? Join Branch Out Productions as they present the play that inspired You’ve Got Mail, The Shop Around the Corner and Broadway’s She Loves Me. This new hilarious adaption by Fredericton’s Ben Harrison will leave your heart melting and your lips laughing as you follow George the Shop Clerk, his feud with Miss Amalia Balash, and his anonymous love letters to “Dear Friend”. What could possibly go wrong when the person who annoys you most and the person you long for the most happen to be the same person – and you don’t even know it!
Tickets are $25 and will be available at Westminster Books, at Branchoutproductions.ca/tickets and at the door. 7 p.m.
Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas with The Jerry Granelli Trio at The Playhouse.In 1965, world-class jazz musician Jerry Granelli, the newest member of the Vince Guaraldi Trio, was joined by Fred Marshall on bass in a San Francisco studio. Together, they recorded the soundtrack for a scrappy little animated Christmas special featuring the Peanuts gang. No one knew then that this recording would become the iconic soundtrack to the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.
In recent years, Granelli was inspired by his grandchildren and the generations who grew up loving the Charlie Brown soundtrack to perform the music again. With his own new trio, he’s gone on to perform the classic and familiar piece of music in sold out shows across Canada, giving grandparents and parents the chance to introduce a new generation to live jazz music. Granelli’s trio will share the stage with a local children’s choir to bring A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack to life. This show promises stories, music, and a wave of Christmas spirit. $118-$36 7:30 p.m.
Les Moontunes + Math Class + Digital Circus at The Capital. Les Moontunes combine soul, psychedelic rock and Hip-Hop to create a sound and a vibe like no other. Catch them performing with Math Class and Digital Circus. Doors at 9. Show at 10 p.m. $8
Nicki Minaj Vs. Cardi B at The Phoenix. Arguably two of the biggest names in music in 2018 are going head to head in an epic throw-down c/o DJ FRNK! Doors at 10. $6
Saturday
New Brunswick Country Showcase at The Playhouse. Join us for the New Brunswick Country Showcase Christmas Show featuring: Kevin Neilson, Mallory Parsons, Grace Crawford, ChristineCrain, Stephen Hatheway, Marlee-Rae Brewer, Dwane Drost, Claudette Norman, Zaida Norman, Sarah MacLoon, Andrea Cormier, Steve Knox, Jolene Hall, Macey Jenkins, Paul DeMerchant, Kelsey Savoie-Moxon, Velvet Touch and the Showcase Band. $24-$26. 7:30 p.m.
The Bel Canto Singers at Christ Church Parish Church.The Bel Canto Singers present Midwinter: A Time of Sleeping & Waking. Music for the concert was selected to reflect the quiet of a winter world and the contrasting joyful celebration of Christmas. Selections include works by Bruckner, Poulenc, Britten, Chilcott,Ešenvalds,and Gjeilo amongst others. The choir will be joined by guest instrumentalists Emily Kennedy (cello), Julie Grant (flute), Josué Núñez (percussion), and our own Stephen Peacock (guitar). Special guest and former Bel Canto member, City Counsellor Kate Rogers will be reading poetry of the season reflecting the sentiments of the music.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $40 for families. They can be purchased at Westminster Books, from choir members, and at the door. 7:30 p.m.
Maggie’s Farm Revival at Wilser’s Room. Maggie’s Farm Revival will be playing three rocking sets that will have you groovin’ and off your feet! Let the good times roll! Doors at 7:30. Show at 8 p.m.
Little You, Little Me + Force Fields + Shrimp Ring at The Capital. Saint John’s LYLM wrap up a few weeks on the road with a show on Saturday. Grab a copy of their new 7″ and stick around for a loud, melodic, electro-noise performance from elusive, star-studded ensemble, Force Fields. Doors at 9. Show at 10 p.m. $10
The Hypos Trio at Grimross Brewing. Catch a performance from a scaled back version of The Hypochondriacs featuring Josh Bravener, Kelly Waterhouse and Jeannine Gallant. 8 p.m. $10
Author’s Day at Westminster Books. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Fredericton’s oldest independent book store will welcome a range of local authors signing copies of their latest works. Stop by to meet Wayne Curtis (10-11 a.m.), Lisa Hrabluk (11-12 p.m.), Jacques Poitras (11:30-12:30 p.m.), Brent Wilson (12-1 p.m.), Ross Hebb (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.), Alexandra (Jane) Tims (1-2 p.m.), Chuck Bowie (1:30-2:30 p.m.) and Mike Stapenhurst (2-3 p.m.).
Sunday
Fredericton Ladies Choir at St. Dunstan’s Church.The choir is directed by Sally Dibblee with Nadine Martin as accompanist. The program will offer a blend of traditional Christmas carols and other seasonal favourites, many of them new to the choir’s repertoire. Special guests for the event will be the Adult Handbell Choir from Brunswick Street Baptist Church directed by Peter Steeves. They will have their own time to perform but will also join the singers on several selections.
Tickets for the concert are $15 each and may be purchased at Westminster Books, from choir members or at the door. A donation from the Christmas concert will go to the Fredericton Community Kitchen to support the Student Hunger Program. 3 p.m.
Annual Christmas Snootenanny! With Sugarbomb at The Snooty Fox.We are fund/food-raising for the Community Kitchen, with music from Fredericton’s grooviest of bands, Sugarbomb Motown & Soul tribute! Bring non-perishable food items, or donate directly to the Community Kitchen if you so choose, and give to those in need this holiday season! 1-4 p.m.
Lansdown Concert Series presents Meaghan Blanchard & Catherine MacLellan. Catherine and Meaghan are in full rehearsal in their music workshop preparing for their annual Christmas concert series. They promise there will be lots of holiday favourites, originals, and more eclectic songs to mix it up! 2 p.m.
The artist’s fee for each concert is $25 at the door. The venue is 41 River Front Way. To reserve a seat, contact 457-0826 or pmm56@me.com
Open Mic Night at York County Cider. Every Sunday from 2-5 p.m.
Family Art Day at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. This new program, offered on the last Sunday of each month, includes musical performances, multiple artist workshops, free admission, and more. With the ticketed Nutcracker Tea event that happened on November 25, the Gallery’s monthly Family Art Day had to be rescheduled. Find a full list of events happening here.
Book launch at Gallery 78. The Wisdom of Beauty is a book length essay by Stephen May, published by Chapel Street Editions in Woodstock, NB. This book is an artist’s credo that delves into aesthetics, ethics, the practice of being a painter, and the cultural environment of the arts. Stephen is a winner of the prestigious Miller Brittain Award for excellence in visual art. A mid-career retrospective exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in 2006 showed the enduring strength of Stephen’s skill and style. Stephen continues to produce exceptional paintings in his studio in Fredericton. 4 p.m.
