A quick run through some of the events happening this week in the world of art, music and film.
Silent Movie Night: The General at St. Paul’s United Church. The General is a 1926 American comedy starring beloved comedian Buster Keaton, who also wrote and co-directed the production. Based on an event that occurred during the American Civil War, the story revolves around Confederate train engineer, Johnnie Gray (Keaton), and the two loves of his life: his fiancée Annabelle Lee and his locomotive, The General. When Union forces steal the locomotive, with Annabelle aboard the train, Johnnie gives chase. His adventure soon turns from drama to hilarity.
As the church is transformed into the world of silent film, the audience will enjoy cinema as it used to be, with a musician trying to capture the mood while the silent movie’s images flash across the silver screen. It will be shown on a large screen in the church sanctuary while David Drinkell, director of music at Christ Church Cathedral, provides the improvised organ accompaniment. The film runs 1 hour 15 minutes. 7 p.m. Admission by donation.
Monday Night Film Series presents Eighth Grade. Welcome to Eighth Grade, kids! Whether it’s been two days, two decades or longer since you suffered through it yourself, your heart goes out to Kayla (Elsie Fisher), the young woman we meet tightrope-walking over those shark-infested waters in writer-director Bo Burnham’s remarkable feature debut. If Burnham’s name doesn’t ring a bell, then you most likely belong to the demographic that will see this movie as a cross between last year’s Lady Bird (also produced by Scott Rudin) and Larry Clark’s ultra-cautionary Kids, identifying with Kayla’s dad. 7:30 p.m. at Tilley Hall, UNB Campus.
Tuesday
Canada’s Pink Floyd at The Fredericton Playhouse. Formed in 2008 in Victoria, BC, PIGS: Canada’s Most Authentic Pink Floyd Tribute, has spent over ten years perfecting their craft, in front of sold out audiences, throughout Canada. On their Outside / In Canadian Tour, PIGS are celebrating the 45th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon by performing it in its entirety as part of every show. After years of playing songs from throughout Pink Floyd’s vast catalogue, PIGS are excited to dig deep into the crucial years of 1970-1975 on this tour to really explore the history around some of the greatest music ever set to tape. As if that wasn’t enough, the band will also be performing selections from the rest of the Floyd discography, including a few special surprises from Floyd solo records! 7:30 p.m. $23, $43.50, $46
Thursday
Solo Chicken Productions’ The Coop presents Pig and Fruit Machine at the Open Space Theatre. Join the coop for a riveting work-in-progress showing of two new physical theatre creations; PIG and Fruit Machine and stay to join in on what promises to be a moving post-show chat. Admission is pay what you can. 7:30 p.m.
The Backstays + Marian + Jerry Faye at The Capital. Check out the recent winners of the Harvest Jazz and Blues Stingray Music Rising Star competition, The Backstays, along with locals Marian and Jerry Faye. 8 p.m. $7
Graham Nicholas + Josh Bravener + Quinn Bonnell at York County Cider. Three great songwriters. One great night. 7 p.m.
Friday
Book Launch: Arrivals & Departures: The Stories We Tell at the UNB Alumni Memorial Lounge. The Fiddlehead, Atlantic Canada’s International Literary Journal, sponsored a life writing workshop for newcomers to Canada at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton in September 2018. We will now be launching a chapbook, which will feature some of the writings created in this workshop. Authors will read from their works, books will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be served. This is a free event; all are welcome to attend. 7 p.m.
Spotlight Series presents Fortunate Ones at The Playhouse. Following their highly-praised performance at the Playhouse in 2016, Fortunate Ones return in support of their new album Hold Fast, which is rich with songs about the trials and tribulations we may face on our path to find a sense of home. It also celebrates friendships and partnerships, while calling on listeners to reflect, stay strong, and move forward. This is a duo whose humility and quiet dignity belies a roaring artistic heart, which has been captured beautifully on the yearning new album. 7:30 p.m. $19, $27, $30.
Chapbook Launch: Arrivals And Departures at the UNB Alumni Memorial Lounge. The Fiddlehead, Atlantic Canada’s International Literary Journal, sponsored a life writing workshop for newcomers to Canada at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton in September 2018. On Friday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 pm. in the Alumni Memorial Lounge, we will be launching a chapbook, Arrivals & Departures: The Stories We Tell, which will feature some of the writings created in this workshop. Authors will read from their works, chapbooks will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be served. This is a free event; all are welcome to attend. 7 p.m.
The First Ever 506 Hip Hop Spot at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. A free all-ages Hip Hop showcase including performances by MathewMatical, 33, Ben Fresh and recent MNB Award winner Kam Speech among several others. There will also be an open mic contest. Stop by and support this inaugural event celebrating NB Hip Hop. 6 p.m.
Quinn Bonnell + Mitch Rayner at The Capital. Two of Fredericton’s emerging performers take the stage at the Capital Complex for this Friday night showcase performance. Doors at 9. Show at 10 p.m. $6
Saturday
New Moon Theatre present Albertine in Five Times at the TNB Open Space Theatre. The St. Andrews Arts Council and New Moon Theatre Company present the six-woman play Albertine in Five Times by Michel Tremblay. 7:30 p.m. $15
Tortoise the Hare and the Millionaire & Kendra Gale at The Capital. The Tortoise The Hare & The Millionaire are grounded in a sort of no-nonsense, straight-shooting blues rock, but jumps effortlessly from genre to genre, exploring jazz, funk, rockabilly and country, all while tying it back to their blues-rock roots. Kendra Gale Band, based out of Southern New Brunswick, have been kicking and screaming their way around the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario playing house concerts, night clubs, showcases and festival stages for the last 4 years. 10 p.m. $8
Comedian Nikki Payne at The Playhouse. Maritime funny gal Nikki Payne is returning to the Fredericton Playhouse with her unique and politically challenging brand of humour. Known for incorporating her trademark lisp and nothing-is-off-limits attitude into her routine, anyone who has witnessed one of Nikki’s performances will agree it might take days to recuperate from all the laughter. As a special bonus, local comedian Jeff Irwin will open the show with his down home, East Coast humour. Jeff’s style is a mixture of jokes and stories using various accents and characters, and his impeccable timing has earned him rave reviews. Please be advised this performance contains strong language, mature subject matter and is intended for mature audiences. 7:30 p.m. $43.50
Sunday
Paquette Productions presents Motown Soul at The Playhouse. For the first time ever, Motown Soul brings you the exquisite vocal harmonies of Cathy Borges, Marlene O’Neill, and Amoy Levy, known as The Tonettes, performing alongside special guest performer from Las Vegas, Nevada, currently starring in his hit show from Bally’s Casino, the man with all of the moves, Grady Harrell. Together, the Tonettes and Grady will deliver a powerful and soulful performance as you have never heard or seen before, bringing you back in time to that special era when music and soul came together. 7 p.m. $45.50
Organ Recital at Christ Church Cathedral. Organist Michael Molloy will present an organ recital to begin the annual Week of Remembrance. There is no admission fee, but free will donations will be accepted for the Last Post Fund. This fund exists to ensure that every Canadian and Allied Veteran, including Modern Day Veterans in financial need receive a dignified funeral, burial and an appropriate military grave marker. 2 p.m.
