WEEKEND MUSIC: Take these broken wings and learn to fly again
Any injured bird or small animal in Northern Alberta is fair game for the WILDNorth Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Society – which throws its annual “Wildlife Festival” this Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm in Queen Mary Park (10844 117 Street).
Admission is free – do you hear me? FREE!
The good cause is supported by a locally star-studded line-up of acts on an outdoor stage: Including the Juno-winning, top-hatted singer-songwriter Bill Bourne, plus the great Ann Vriend (above), who is recently back from wowing audiences in Europe. Also on the bill are Mike McDonald and Dove Brown (the emcee) from Jr. Gone Wild, along with Dale Ladouceur, Emo Leblanc, and Kimberley MacGregor with Bob Blair. Kicking off the live entertainment at 11 am is a kids’ show called Dr. Professor Breakfast & Friends featuring local comedy giants Davina Stewart, Dana Andersen, Donovan Workun, and Paul Morgan Donald.
Starting at 10 am, the 2K or 5K “fun run” is optional. For people who don’t think any amount of running is fun, donations will also be accepted.
WILDNorth does good work. They run two centres in the Edmonton area for rescue and rehabilitation of injured animals, and work with area wildlife officials in difficult cases – say, a lynx caught in your barbed-wire fence, or an injured coyote.
A porcupine named “Wild Rose” will also be at this event. Not dangerous. Just prickly. There’s also an all-day barbecue (vegan options available) – with the poster claiming: “Dads eat free for Father’s Day weekend.”
Wait, what? Do they know how much dads can eat? Aren’t they trying to raise money here?
Friday 14
Mike Plume Band – This guy’s always a treat, a master singer-songwriter, survivor of the terrible Nashville country music songwriting mines, once the host of a ridiculous reality show called Mississippi Snake Grabbers – long story – now back in Edmonton with an accumulation of more great songs than can fill a single set, and then some. Plus it is said a killer band behind him. Temple at the Starlite Room. 8 pm, $25 advance
Sunday 16
Shawn Mendes – Someone has to talk about what Shawn Mendes does to his vowels. Yes, his VOWELS! He’s a great singer, to be sure, and an honest, passionate songwriter, double threat at least – but this 20-year-old superstar has one bizarre and annoying affectation that no one (as far as I know) has pointed out: All his vowel sounds are slanted towards the “oy” sound – as if he’s pursing his lips, as if he’s kissing you while he sings. He might not even be aware of it. A lot of singers do this. So amid commanding tone and technique in perfect pop songs we hear lines like “Oi thoight that Oi’ve been hoirt before, but no one’s ever left me qoite this sore” and “Oi won’t lie to you. Oi know he’s just not roight for you.” Is this weird or what? Has anyone else noticed this? Has this unusual vocal quirk kept Shawn Mendes from becoming arguably the most famous male singer of the late 2010z? It has not. Oy, vey! Opening the show at Rogers Place will be Alessia Cara – who was just here. 7:30 pm, advance tickets from $107.
