Chris Janson
He got his start writing for such country superstars as Tim McGraw and Hank Williams Jr., but radio really started to take notice of Chris Janson with the release of his debut album Buy Me a Boat last year. The title track secured him a platinum record in the U.S. and he’s also gone gold in Canada, racking up another solid single in Power of Positive Drinkin’. He’ll be in town as part of Rodeo Week, kicking off three days worth of country acts at the Expo Centre.
When: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave.
Admission: $25 and up, available from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
George Bowering, left, and Charles Demers.
George Bowering
Former Canadian Poet Laureate George Bowering has teamed up with comedian and author Charles Demers for a book collecting their correspondence on the trials and joys of fatherhood. The Dad Dialogues cuts along generational lines: Bowering is an 80-year-old legend in literature, Demers is a “thirtysomething” university lecturer at the University of British Columbia. The two best buddies will be reading from their book at one of their only two stops promoting it, at the Empress Ale House here in Edmonton.
When: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Empress Ale House, 9912 Whyte Ave.
Admission: Free
Info: arsenalpulp.com
Dane Cook comes to the Winspear Centre on Nov. 10.
Dane Cook
American standup comedian Dane Cook is the headliner for this year’s Just For Laughs Comedy Tour. The somewhat controversial Cook, who has had parts in movies like Good Luck Chuck, Mystery Men and My Best Friend’s Girl, has also released five comedy albums and starred in an HBO special. He’ll be joined for this edition of the yearly tour by up-and-comers Vinnie Fasline and John Campanelli.
When: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Winspear Centre
Admission: $50.14 to $59.67, available from the Winspear box office or website
Info: winspearcentre.com
Mamma Mia! is back at the Jubilee Auditorium, Nov. 11 to 13.
Mamma Mia!
With news that ABBA will be reuniting in 2018 for what they’re calling a “new entertainment experience,” it’s quite possible that the entire industry will eventually focus entirely on them as movies, musicals and even video games keep their name alive. Mamma Mia! is one of the most successful of the ABBA spinoffs, an entire musical based around the band’s songs that tell the story of a young girl attempting to find out who her father is so that she can get him to walk her down the aisle at her marriage. It’s a popular production, so secure your tickets as early as possible.
When: Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m..
Where: Jubilee Auditorium
Admission: $40 to $104, available from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
High Valley at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Nov. 12.
High Valley
They’re now down in the States trying to figure out a way to break the Nashville radio code, but High Valley are still good Alberta boys. They still get back to La Crete to see the family, and they still make their way to Edmonton on a fairly regular basis, just as they’re doing as part of Rodeo Week. The band, which centres around the Remple brothers Brad and Curtis, are just about to release their first album on Atlantic/Warner Nashville, called Dear Life. It comes out on Nov. 18.
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave.
Admission: $25, available from Ticketmaster.
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Ron White at River Cree on Nov. 12.
Ron White
Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran Ron White wears many hats. He’s an author (I Had the Right to Remain Silent but I Didn’t Have the Ability), actor (Sex and the City 2, Horrible Bosses), comedian and even navy recruit. He also announced his candidacy for President of the United States, with a website entreating Americans to “vote smart, because you can’t fix stupid.” Even though the election will be over by the time he’s in Edmonton, consider his appearance at River Cree to be part the surreality of American politics.
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 9 p.m.
Where: River Cree Resort and Casino, 300 East Lapotac Blvd., Enoch
Admission: $49.50 and up, available from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project at the Arden on Nov. 12.
Lomax Project
Sea chants, a cappella singing, Appalachian ballads, work tunes and more are part of the tribute to folklorist Alan Lomax put together by composer and banjo player Jayme Stone. The Lomax Project has the twice Juno-nominated Stone paying his respects to lesser-know traditional songs like Shenandoah, Lazy John, Maids When You’re Young and The Devil’s Nine Questions. Singer Moira Smiley, fiddle player Sumaia Jackson and bassist Andrew Ryan round out the band.
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert
Admission: $38, available at the Arden box office or from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Toy Guns Dance Theatre’s Ultimate Dance Battle on Nov. 12.
Ultimate Dance Battle
There can only be one. Dancers from across the area will be vying for top honours as Toy Gun Dance Theatre hosts the Ultimate Dance Battle on Saturday at the Arts Barns. Lindy hop, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, Ukrainian and more, all by professional dance artists who won’t rest until they’re victorious. Afterwards is the ultimate dance hall, a free-for-all with music, drinks and dancing. All proceeds go toward Tights for Tots, a charity supplying tights to underprivileged young dancers around the world.
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.
Where: ATB Financial Arts Barns, 10330 84 Ave.
Admission: $25 to $35, available from the Toy Guns website
Info: toygunstheatre.com
Nausicaa at Metro Cinema on Nov. 12.
Nausicaa
Acclaimed as one of the greatest animated films of all time, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is considered to be one of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki’s crowning achievements. Set in a post-apocalyptic future world, Nausicaa follows the title character, a young princess leading her nation in a struggle against the aggressive Tolmekians, who are intent on using one of the ancient weapons that nearly destroyed the Earth. Can Nausicaa and her mutant allies stop the Tolmekians before it’s too late?
When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
Where: Metro Cinema, 8712 109 St.
Admission: $6 to $12; free for children under 12 at the Saturday afternoon screening
Info: metrocinema.org
Howie Mandel at River Cree on Nov. 16.
Howie Mandel
Toronto-born comedian and actor Howie Mandel might be better known for his hosting of the popular game show Deal or No Deal, or possibly for his well-publicized germophobia, but he’s kept busy at other activities as well. There’s the documentary he produced about friend and fellow comedian Vic Cohen called Committed, as well as the memoir he’s currently writing to be called Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me. He’s also made his way onto the judging platform for America’s Got Talent. He still does standup, though, and he’ll be bringing his observational humour to River Cree.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.
Where: River Cree Resort and Casino, 300 East Lapotac Blvd., Enoch
Admission: $49.50 and up, available from Ticketmaster
Info: ticketmaster.ca
Ten to Do is compiled and written by Tom Murray. If you are co-ordinating an event you want featured here, email the information to arts@edmontonjournal.com. Information for the What’s On listings should be uploaded to
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/whats-on/index.html
