A quick run through some of the events happening this week in the world of art, music and film.
Monday
Monday Night Film Series: Always, Never. In Carl Hunter’s debut feature, Bill Nighy shines as Alan, an eccentric, retired tailor with a uniquely keen talent for Scrabble – and for hustling strangers in games. However, the pleasure he takes in Scrabble is tainted by the memory of his long-lost, favoured son, who stormed out while playing one night and was never seen again.
Always, Never| Monday Night Film Series | Tilley Hall, Room 102, UNB Campus | December 9, 2019 – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Open Mic Night at The Capital. Dylan Ward hosts this weekly event at The Capital. If you are a duo, or a band, stop by and try out a new tune in front of a very encouraging crowd. 9 p.m. No cover.
Christmas Recital: A Winter’s Night at Christ Church (Parish) Church. The Fredericton Cecilian Singers and friends, under the direction of Dianne Wilkins and accompanied by Alice Boyd, will present their Christmas recital. The choir will be joined by a male ensemble, guest musicians Graysen and Andy LaPointe, and by cellist Maggie Kerr. The program will feature both reflective and joyous Christmas selections and spirituals. 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Les gars du nord at the Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne. Les gars du nord, Wilfred Le Bouthillier, Jean-Marc Couture, Maxime McGraw, and Danny Boudreau, are back for a 6th consecutive year with their holiday tour! Do not miss this acoustic holiday show. It is intimate, full of emotions, and humour! You will hear holiday classics revisited by Les gars du nord and many of their respective hits. 7:30 p.m.
Bluegrass Night at Wilser’s Room. Bluegrass Night is back at the Wilser’s room for two Wednesday nights in December! Join The Montgomery Street Band on Dec 4th and 11th, and escape the cold with some acoustic string band fun! 9 p.m.
Thursday
TNB presents It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at The Playhouse. It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play takes the familiar story of George Bailey and presents it as a 1940’s radio play broadcast before a live studio audience. This year’s production will mark TNB’s first extensive holiday tour in nearly twenty years with performances planned for Fredericton, Bathurst, Miramichi, Moncton, Sackville, Florenceville-Bristol, and St. Andrews. The production will feature the return of New Brunswick actors Wally MacKinnon (Any Given Moment), Jenny Munday (The Americans Are Coming) and Kirsten Alter (Come Down From Up River), and introduce two popular Toronto stage actors – Beau Dixon and Ryan Hinds. Dec. 12-14. 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
Holiday Humour – Dinner + LIVE Stand Up Comedy ft. Eric Johnston at the Delta Hotel. Join the folks from Live Stand Up Comedy as renowned comedian Eric Johnston headlines a hilarious night of live comedy over a delicious festive feast served by our award-winning team. Hosted by Sabrina Harnish, featuring Matt Richardson and Mike Peters. 6 p.m. Tickets
Friday
Christmas 5 à 7 with La gang arrive at Tribute Bar & Lounge. La gang arrive is a local band with René LeBouthillier, Robert Duguay, Bruno LaPlante, and Sébastien Boudreau. They will perform Holiday classics in a Christmas kitchen party setting! Fun guaranteed! Admission is free. This concert is presented by the Centre communautaire Sainte Anne. 5 p.m.
Frig Dancer + Phone Jerks + Zero Zero UFO + The Atlantix at The Capital. What we have here is a rock’n roll turf war. Quispamsis heavy weights Frig Dancer clash with Hub City hooligans Phone Jerks, Zero, Zero UFO & The Atlantix in an all-out knuckle duster. Get yourself dolled up, your dancing shoes on, head on down to the Capitol and get ready to have a wicked good time. 10 p.m.
Beginnings: The Elm City String Quartet at Gallery 78. Fredericton has a new string quartet! Join the Elm City String Quartet for their inaugural performance. Quartet members are Victor Vivas and Mercedes Salazar (violin), Mark Kleyn (viola), and Emily Kennedy (cello). They will be performing a short, cozy concert of Mozart and Mendelssohn. Admission is by donation. 7:30 p.m.
Aaron MacDonald at the Tipsy Muse Café. Out of the woods of Mabou, a little town that beats in the musical heart of western Cape Breton Island, comes the soulful, ever-captivating, folk-rock singer Aaron MacDonald. 7 p.m.
Saturday
Karaoke Night at Grimross Brewing Co. Take a night off from Christmas shopping and unleash your inner ABBA. Don’t Stop Believin’ there because Grimross will be giving away prizes and playing that funky music all night long. 8 p.m.
The Town Heroes at the Tipsy Muse Café. The Town Heroes are a 4-piece Alternative-Rock band known for crafting catchy, thoughtful songs. They’ve toured the world, released three critically acclaimed albums and won an array of industry awards. 7 p.m.
Maggie’s Farm Christmas Fundraiser in the Wilsers Room. Come warm your heart and feet while taking in Maggie’s Farm Revival for their Annual Christmas Benefit show, live at the Wilser’s Room! Start the night off right while grooving to high energy rock n roll & R&B! 7:30 p.m.
Motherhood + Jon Mckiel + Neuroseance at The Capital. A trio of deep-thinkin’ rippers, New Brunswick’s Motherhood achieve one very rare and uncomplicated feat: they sound EXCITING on record and stage alike. Come see for yourself and also enjoy a performance from Jon McKiel, one of New Brunswick’s best songwriters (#handsdown) and a DJ set by neuroseance. 10 p.m.
Sunday
odd sundays at Tipsy Muse Café. We will celebrate the season on at our now-annual all open mic afternoon. You, our valued supporters, will read for us from your own writing, and to start us off will be Mark Jarman, Ana Watts and Phillip Crymble. Bring something to share, in three minutes or so, which focuses on our theme: the time of year, the way you celebrate, anything which speaks of how you love the season, or endure the onset of darkness. Our guest readers will start us off, and a special guest – Tatyana Beer – will entertain us with music between our open mic sets. 2 p.m.
Jimmy Rankin: Home for the Holidays at The Playhouse. Get yourself in the holiday spirit with one of Canada’s favourite stars: Jimmy Rankin. Caroling selections from his holiday classic Tinseltown album mixed with a good dose of beloved hits and tunes from his latest production, Moving East, Jimmy serves up a night full of great music and yuletide cheer. Don’t miss this season’s highlight destined to become an annual tradition. 7:30 p.m.
FHS Holiday Concert in the Tom Morrison Theatre. Featured groups include the String Ensemble, Glee Choir, Concert Band, and Jazz Ensemble. Admission is by donation. Come and enjoy some holiday favourites to put you in the mood for the season! 2 p.m. (If necessary, the storm date will be Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m.)
Partage: Les voix des deux rives at The Beaverbrook Art Gallery. This free program brings artists and guests together in French-language conversations about art and creativity. Admission is by donation. In December: Christmas at the Gallery with Les voix des deux rives. Under the direction of Marie-Claude Landry, this group encompasses a number of vocal ensembles of the Fredericton-area including Le chœur de Soulanges, Le chœur de Marie-Sol, Le quatuor vocal, a ukulele ensemble, and a number of soloists. 3 p.m.
Lansdowne Concerts presents Tomato Tomato. In the past few years, this genre-bending power duo has played many shows across Canada including performances at the Vancouver and Regina Folk Festivals as well as the National Arts Centre while also maintaining a busy international touring schedule. The band has been honoured with nominations for Contemporary Folk Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and Songwriter of the Year and Group Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. This concert will feature some songs from their Christmas CD, Pinecones & Cinammon, and other hits. Seating is limited so reservations are required. The cost is $25 and you can reserve your seat by contacting pmm56@me.com. 41 River Front Way. 2 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.
