COMIC INTERVIEW: Kathleen Madigan keeps it out of the box

Posted on June 7, 2012 By Mike Ross Comedy, Front Slider

Unlike comedians for whom the craft of stand-up comedy is merely a launch pad to sitcom or late night TV heaven, Kathleen Madigan prefers to stay out of the small box, to keep it pure, to work hard to make comedy something best experienced by a live audience. Ironically, this makes her a better comic […]

Edmonton Pride Festival more than words

Posted on June 6, 2012 By Mike Ross Culture, Family, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio

For those in the straightest quarters of Edmonton who don’t know, the word “Pride” in its proper form has come to mean “gay pride,” just as the word “gay” in all its meanings will apply to the big parade and subsequent party taking place Saturday at noon in downtown Edmonton. It’s the Edmonton Pride Parade. […]

INTERVIEW: The 8 Labors of Henry Rollins

Posted on June 3, 2012 By Mike Ross Comedy, Front Slider, Lit, TV and Radio

As a stand-up comic with a gift for going over the top, Henry Rollins makes Denis Leary look like Steven Wright – but he’s not really a stand-up comic. As a motivational speaker, Rollins is more motivational than Tony Robbins and Gene Simmons rolled into one – but he’s not really a motivational speaker. As […]

WHAT’S SO FUNNY: Joe Rogan will beat you up with his MIND

Posted on June 1, 2012 By Mike Ross Comedy

Joe Rogan is hard to figure. On one hand, the New Jersey comic can come off like one of these dependable, burly, blue collar palookas shouting f-word laden hyperbole about gays, strippers, drugs, sex, all the good stuff. He’s sharp, has good punch-lines, great interaction with the crowd. Goes over like gangbusters in a live […]

FOLK FEST 2012: Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Emmylou and more – expect another sell out

Posted on May 30, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music

The best things in life aren’t available online – like the first tickets to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Last year sold out in two hours, leaving hundreds of disappointed fans. So to make it fair, this year – featuring Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Arrested Development, Corb Lund and many, many more – […]

SANE CLOWN POSSE: Cirque star brings new act to children’s festival

Posted on May 28, 2012 By Mike Ross Theatre

Clowning has become very serious business – thanks to Cirque du Soleil, which in turn owes a debt of gratitude to people like Dimitri Bogatirev. This man is a true Clown. Bringing his travelling three-clown circus Aga-Boom to the International Children’s Festival, opening Tuesday at St. Albert Place, the Ukrainian-born performer is a first rate […]

ROGER WATERS: Will the real Pink Floyd please stand up?

Posted on May 26, 2012 By Mike Ross Music

It hasn’t been any easier to discover the identity of Pink Floyd than those other bands whose names are often confused with people: Jethro Tull, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blondie, Billy Talent, Bon Iver … Pink Floyd (named for two real people, American bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council) of course ranks far above any […]

EDMONTON RADIO: Onward, Christian music at Shine FM

Posted on May 23, 2012 By Mike Ross Culture, Music, TV and Radio

There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy – and too bad Hamlet wasn’t around to ponder an entire radio station devoted to Jesus. The very existence of Edmonton’s Shine 105.9 FM is a miracle. So is the fact there’s enough Christian music to sustain it. More than […]

THEATRE: Little Elephants a peek into gently eccentric British family

Posted on May 23, 2012 By Mike Ross Culture, The Latest, Theatre

The reason North Americans are so fascinated and amused by British people is a mystery. But at least now we have another reason to tune away from Coronation Street or the Royals visit coverage with another delightful peek into a typically barmy British family in Belinda Cornish’s new play, Little Elephants. It opens Thursday at […]

Metallica to bring ‘out of control’ show to Rexall Place Aug. 17

Posted on May 22, 2012 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music

Once again, a notable rock band is choosing Edmonton to launch what is expected to be another massive Canadian tour – and this time it’s Metallica, playing Friday, Aug. 17 at Rexall Place. Tickets go on sale Friday. The band posted news on its website about an “all new, out of control, massive stage and […]

Hip Hop in the Park a new age hippie happening

Posted on May 17, 2012 By Mike Ross Music, The Latest

Hip Hop in the Park – a free festival taking place Saturday at the Louise McKinney Park – is more like the folk fest than any stereotype of a dangerous gangsta rap music event imagined by people who are afraid of rap music. “We’re more like new age hippies,” says producer Melissa L.A. Bishop. “We’re […]

WHAT’S SO FUNNY: Mike Dambra’s sperm cures cancer

Posted on May 17, 2012 By Mike Ross Comedy, Front Slider, Theatre

Mike Dambra has become famous for, nay, almost dependent upon, a joke so politically incorrect it can cause even insensitive boors to swoon in shock – a routine about retards. That’s right: Retards. Being from New York is his excuse for using the word “retard” instead of “special needs” or some such – he uses […]

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