The Stettler Variety Showcase (SVS) is excited to kickoff the 2022/2023 season with a variety of shows coming up.
Starting in November, kicking things off with a dinner show at the Stettler Community Hall on Nov. 5 will be the New Jersey Jukebox. The Jukebox are a tribute band honouring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, a 1960s music group.
A month later, the shows will move over to the Stettler Performing Arts Centre for the Sunday Concert Series. With shows at 1:30 p.m. or 7 p.m., Ken Lavigne will perform his show “3 Knights and a Tenor” on Dec. 4.
According to Pam Taylor, SVS board president, the Lavigne show is not one to be missed as it will feature music from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John and a selection of Christmas music specifically for the Stettler show.
After the Lavigne show, things take a break until the new year. In January, Robert Uchida and Rafael Hoekman will get 2023 going in style when the two masters of classical music, with some humour thrown in, take the stage on Jan. 29, 2023.
“These guys are unbelievable,” said Taylor.
In February a double-billed show will hit the stage. On Feb. 26, the Misery Mountain Boys will take the stage first with their show of 1930s music, “wit, nostalgia and playfulness.” After their 45-minute set, a newer singer, Maddie Storvold, on the Alberta music scene will take the stage.
Storvold, an Edmonton-based singer, settled in the province in 2016 and has released two albums, with a third upcoming. According to Strovold’s website, her singing has often been compared to Joni Mitchell.
“We (bring double-billed shows) so we can bring more variety to our shows,” said Taylor.
“So we can bring awesome entertainment to our audiences.”
After the February show, the showcase will be taking a break in march before coming back with a finale at the end of April.
On April 30, 2023, Jenn Beupre and Leis Frere will take the stage. Beaupre is an award winning singer and songwriter based in the Calgary area, while Frere is a “well-known” professional musician and audio engineer based out of three hills.
The 2022/2023 concert season will be the first full season for SVS since pre-pandemic and is a “long-awaited” return.
“We’re definitely very excited about this season,” said Taylor.