Five Saskatoon concerts to see in March

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A wide variety of concerts around town offer a broad selection of music as spring arrives this month. There’s something for every preference.

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Here are five local concerts happening in Saskatoon this month:

ED SULLIVAN REVISITED

Ed Sullivan Revisited: A Night for the Broadway Theatre is a variety show fundraiser.

Hosted by Leon Willey as Ed Sullivan, the evening pays tribute to the variety television show that ran from 1948 to 1971. Musical performances include The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, The Monkees, Linda Ronstadt and The Beatles. The show also includes jugglers, comedians and other variety acts.

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“We’re so excited to be hosting this fundraising event at The Broadway Theatre. The night will feature a true variety of acts from jugglers to comedians to ‘the Fab Four’ themselves. All proceeds from the event will go toward covering the costs of window and roof upgrades for the building,” Broadway Theatre executive director Lenore Maier said.

“Ed Sullivan Revisited is going to be a really fun show, and it’s been a blast to put together, and all for a great cause.”

The variety show is at the Broadway Theatre Friday at 7:30 p.m. An online auction supporting the theatre continues through March 11. Show tickets are $42, available at broadwaytheatre.ca.

SASKATOON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra presents three concerts this month.

The Lost Birds celebrates 40 seasons with concertmaster and principal violinist Michael Swan, who takes lead on one of his favourite pieces. The SSO is joined by conductor Evan Mitchell, the University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers and Aurora Voce.

Prairie Sons: A Prairie debut tour features the duo of cellist David Liam Roberts and pianist Godwin Friesen, presenting a program that embodies the expansive, nuanced perspective of their home landscape.

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Pictures at an Exhibition embraces the iconic work of Mussorgsky and celebrates composer David L. McIntyre’s 75th birthday. Guest conductor Karl Hirzer and pianist Meagan Milatz return to join the SSO for the celebration.

“This month, we programmed music to ready us for spring. That may be wishful thinking in March because winter can always return, but this is all music that has an emotional impact and will invigorate people,” SSO CEO and creative producer Mark Turner said.

“Sitting in a calm, dark place listening to live music, the sound of an orchestra in full flight, I think it helps people address the tension we’ve all been holding (right now). We want these performances to offer our audiences a chance to relax a bit, and I think that’s what we all need.”

The Lost Birds is Saturday and Pictures is March 29 at TCU Place, while Prairie Sons is March 14 at St. John’s Cathedral. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $32 to $100, available at saskatoonsymphony.ca.

DISCOVERING THE AMATIS

The Discovering the Amatis series presents Viola Visions, featuring the Moonlight Trio.

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Clarinetist Eric Braley, violist Carolyn Fernand and pianist Jennifer King perform a concert showcasing the University of Saskatchewan’s collection of Amati string instruments. The performance features works by Mozart, Rebecca Clarke, Bach, Libby Larson and Paul Hindemith.

“We’re thrilled to make our Saskatoon debut as the Moonlight Trio. Performing on the 1607 Amati viola is a dream come true, and our program, Viola Visions, highlights the instrument’s remarkable voice through solo, duo and trio works,” Farnand said.

“I’ll explore its full range in solo selections, in a duo with SSO’s principal clarinetist (and my husband!) Eric Braley, and in trios with pianist Jennifer King. I’m especially excited for Libby Larsen’s trio, inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings, and Hindemith’s Sonata Op. 11, No. 4, a piece that has always held a special place in my heart.”

The concert is March 16 in Convocation Hall at the U of S at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $35, available at leadership.usask.ca/unit/amati.php.

SASKATOON COMMUNITY BANDS

The Saskatoon Community Bands present Dance, Dance, Dance: An Evening of Rhythmic Delight, featuring the Saskatoon Community Wind Ensemble and the Saskatoon Community Jazz Band.

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A variety of classical dance tunes and contemporary rhythms include waltz, swing, polka, blues, samba and Bossa nova. The audience is encouraged to engage with the music and even to dance along.

“While music is often referred to as a universal language, a great deal of that music is connected to dance. Just as the types of dance music vary from one culture to another, so too the performance practices surrounding the music,” Wind Ensemble director Nick Fanner said.

“The Wind Ensemble’s performance will explore the rhythmic stepping of the English Morris dance, the underlying clave rhythm of Cuban or Brazilian music, the festive mood of the 3+3+2 pattern of the Albanian Shota, as well as a sample of the drumming and traditional melodies of the Middle East.”

The concert is at the Broadway Theatre March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, available at saskatooncommunitybands.org.

SASKATOON JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra presents Women of Jazz, an evening of music celebrating the extraordinary talents of female jazz musicians. An all-female ensemble performs a blend of innovative and traditional jazz selections that elevate women’s voices.

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“Leading an all-female jazz band, a career highlight that I am thrilled about, is a significant event. The band features Juno Award nominees, Juno Award winners, and super-talented Saskatoon musicians. All of the charts we will perform were composed by women, many of whom are part of the band. This is a concert not to be missed,” guest conductor Stacey Mortenson-Spokes said.

“This initiative shines a spotlight on the abundance of talented and accomplished women in jazz from across this country, who are rarely given the opportunity to perform en masse like this,” Juno-nominated saxophonist Tara Davidson added. “I’m so honoured to be included in this special night.”

The SJO performs March 22 at the Broadway Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $35, available at saskatoonjazzorchestra.com.

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