A rare and diverse range of live entertainment awaits concert goers this week. Three theatre productions, a night of punk and metal, a unique symphony offering, and a local blues legend on stage, all happening in a three day window. Here’s our suggestions to help you make the most of it.
Between Breaths | March 16 | Fredericton Playhouse | 7:30 p.m. | View Event
The first of three theatre events happening this week, Newfoundland’s Artistic Fraud is bringing its popular production Between Breaths to the Playhouse. This one-act play tells the true story of Dr. Jon Lien, well-known in Newfoundland as the Whale Man. Lien pioneered techniques for rescuing whales trapped in fishing nets. Often risking his very life in the water with the formidable and frightened animals, he would seek to earn their trust as much as the fishermen’s. His ability to free more than 500 whales, while doing as little damage to the fishing gear as possible, won the hard-earned respect of the fishermen. Despite his risky work, Lien’s biggest fight came at the hands of a lengthy illness. Before he passed away in 2010, his body was slowly conquered by immobility and dementia. Pay What You Wish!
Live Theatre at STU and UNB | March 16-18
As is so often the case with university theatre productions in Fredericton, both Theatre UNB and St. Thomas University’s Black Box Productions are each bringing a show to the stage on the same weekend. Theatre UNB’s production of Marriage: A Demolition in Two Acts by Rick Chafe runs March 16-18 at Memorial Hall. Up the hill at the Black Box Theatre, STU’s BBP is staging its production of Mr. Information, a musical in development with a book, score, and lyrics written by STU student Noah Deas. Two good reasons to spend your weekend on The Hill.
Single Mothers + Chastity + Botfly + Diner Drugs | March 16 | The Cap | 8 p.m. | View Event
London, Ontario punks Single Mothers will headline a night of loud, heavy, and undeniably enjoyable music Thursday night at The Cap. Over the band’s 15 year history they have welcomed more than 25 different members in and out of the fold placing them right up there with DOA when it comes to lineup changes. And just like the godfathers of hardcore, Single Mothers vocalist Andrew Thompson has been the band’s one consistent member. Come out and see for yourself what’s kept this band going all these years. Chastity, Botfly, and Diner Drugs round out the night. Holy sh*t. Big night.
Keith Hallet | Match 17 | The Tipsy Muse Cafe | 7 p.m. | View Event
Local legend-in-the-making Keith Hallett visits the Muse this week for a performance on Friday. Expect a pile of old amps, a pair of microphones, and badly beaten guitar, and some of the best scuzzy blues you’ve ever heard. Hallett is pure magic, but you probably know that already. And if you don’t, well…you’ve got some work to do. Start by hitting up this show. 7-9 p.m.
Symphony New Brunswick | March 17 | Fredericton Playhouse | 7:30 p.m. | View Event
It’s Mystery Composer night at the symphony as Symphony New Brunswick presents its latest program, Whodunnit?, with music by Mozetich, Haydn, and a mystery composer. Who will it be? There will be clues. There will be a mystery for the audience to solve. There will be beautiful music.
As always, for a comprehensive look at performances happening throughout the city this week, check out the event calendar managed by our friends at Music Runs Through It.