From:                                                       jerry53cw@outlook.com

 

a note from the director

 

The thrill of live music is built on the inevitable risk of it. A performance isn’t a rehearsal—you only get the one go each time. It isn’t like writing a novel or drafting technical drawings. You can’t go back and rewrite anything. What happens on stage lives in the moment. And that’s just it: the risk isn’t just about the thrill of it, but the presence we experience during a performance. There is no pause button to go grab a snack. You can’t rewind it. Sure, you can pull out a cell phone (please always remember to check if your flash is off), but how often do you rewatch that video later and get the same feeling?

There’s another layer to the foundational risk of live performance. You’re taking a chance on something new. And that’s why I want to talk about tribute shows. 

We welcome numerous tribute shows to the Marigold each year. They’re put together by some serious professionals and are often lead by vocalists and musicians who are deeply passionate about the music they play. They’re some of our wildest nights at the Marigold—almost every one of them sells out. I’m always encouraged by the joy and fun people get out of them (which may or may not be related to tribute shows also being some of our busiest bar sales). 

There is, however, a feeling out there that I’ve encountered before that tribute shows take up space for local, Canadian, or original artists. That’s where things get interesting. Not all, but most of our tribute shows are rentals. That means, instead of the Marigold choosing and paying for an artist to perform and us bearing the risk of financing it, the performer instead takes on that risk. They compensate us for the use of the building and the resources it takes to put on the show (that’s why you sometimes see on our website a line that says ‘this performance is not presented by the Marigold’). That doesn’t say anything about quality, but instead, it’s one of the ways that venues like us manage risk. And our rentals are an equally important part of our income and the array of experiences we offer here. All of that income goes back into investing in promoting original artists from Nova Scotia and across Canada and keeping our organization running. Tribute shows don’t take up space in a calendar so much as support our ability to invest in original artists who we want to build an audience for in Truro. Venues function of an ecosystem of different performances and experiences and tribute shows are one part of that ecosystem.

Keep showing up to our tribute shows. The Billy Joel night we bring almost every year is one of my favourites. If you look side stage, you can probably see me quietly belting out Vienna or We Didn’t Start the Fire. But, take a risk sometimes. I know a tribute show is reliable and will be the music you know and love. That said, we have a huge slate of other shows that will bring you a new experience, a new favourite musician, a new favourite song. The only thing better than a great experience is a new great experience.

Whatever you do, keep coming out to live music. The next while though, take a chance on something you haven’t experienced. The greatest rewards in life come from taking a chance on something. Worst case scenario, you see a performance that maybe wasn’t your taste. But hey, the best case scenario is new music to fall in love with. 

So, take a chance. Live a little. See something new this year. I’ll see you there.

marsh feit
executive director
Marigold Cultural Centre

 

 

FREE Summer Shows!

 

 

 

At the Marigold, we know how important ticket sales are. Tickets not only support our ability to maintain our organization and pay artists, but are investments into our cultural landscape. But you know what, sometimes we just need a great band, on a roof, and open to the public without a financial barrier. So this summer, we’re thrilled to have three amazing rooftop shows (If they get rained out, we’ll move them inside). Each long weekend this summer, we’re bringing an amazing performance to you: Rum Ragged & Fiddles and Feet, Ben Caplan, Mike Trask, Keith Hallett, and more to still be added. So join us this summer, sit out on our licensed front lawn, take in great music, bring your own chair. It’s going to be a good summer.

 

 

Summer Camps

 

 

Andrew Morrisey returns to the Marigold for the always popular theatre day camps! Now in our 18th year, we return to playing fun theatre games, learning songs, scenes and dances as well as rehearsing for a show that will be presented on the final day. Come sing, dance, act and most importantly have fun! Lots of laughing is encouraged! You just might discover a talent you didn't know you had!

Andrew Morrisey is an actor and teaching artist based in New York. Originally from Truro, Andrew found his love of theatre through the incredible arts programs in Colchester county. He is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre program and Circle in the Square Theatre School’s Acting program in NYC. In addition, he has attended the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University and the 92nd Street Y, as well as the Professional Vocal Pedagogy Workshop at Boston Conservatory and Berklee College. As an actor, he has performed in national tours and Off-Broadway. In the spring, he was in Resurrection, which was part of the inaugural WinterWorks festival at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal. Critics hailed his performance as “transcending as it is heart-wrenching and uplifting”. As a teacher, his voice students have worked in regional theatre’s across the US, in national tours and on Broadway. He also works with Inside Broadway, going into NYC public schools and directing musical performances. 

This will mark his 18th year of camps at the Marigold. Always a highlight of his year, he looks forward to coming back to work with the talented, passionate young actors in Truro! 

 

 

 

Newly Added

 

 

Lennie Gallant
Sunday, August 24
7:30 PM - $55


East Coast songwriter Lennie Gallant has released fifteen albums of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations. His song Peter's Dream was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is an international touring artist and his songs have been covered by many artists, and he has shared the stage with several orchestras and with performers such as the late Jimmy Buffett and David Foster and his band. Lennie struck up a friendship with Jimmy and has two co-writes on Jimmy's last album, and was invited to sing on it as a featured artist. One of Lennie's albums also went up to the International Space Station and circled the planet 248 times. He and partner Patricia Richard also record and perform as the popular Francophone duo, Sirene et Matelot. Lennie Gallant is a member of the Order of Canada and has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts.

 

 

Upcoming Shows

 

 

Leanne Hoffman
Monday, June 2
7:30 PM - $15


Leanne Hoffman performs a tightrope walk between the sensual immediacy of pop music and poetry’s revelatory nuance on The Text Collector. Using the swirling melodies and glitzed-up production of Top 40, The Nova Scotia-based multidisciplinary artist builds tension between soundscapes primed for pure pleasure and lyrics that address the interconnected relationship between desire and despair.

 

The Freddie & Queen Experience
Friday, June 6
7:30 PM - $40

(Not a Marigold-presented show)

The Freddie & Queen Experience sounds like an unforgettable tribute show. With Ian's impressive portrayal of Freddie Mercury, the performance promises to deliver Queen's iconic hits with authenticity and energy. The show's visual spectacle, audience interaction, and talented supporting band members all contribute to an immersive experience that's sure to delight fans of all ages. If you're a Queen enthusiast, be sure to check for upcoming tour dates near you!

 

Off the Rock
Saturday, June 7
7:30 PM - $46

(Not a Marigold-presented show)

Off The Rock is North America's premier tribute to one of Canada's greatest musical icons - Great Big Sea, and has been selling out theatres all over with their unforgettable show.

Off The Rock brings an interactive and engaging show that is sure to have audiences singing and dancing along to Great Big Sea's hits and Newfoundland folk tunes.

Featuring the musical talents of Anthony Clayton, Thom Danger Speck, Aaron Spink, Sean Battams, Steve Peckford, and David Skolnick, this dynamic group brings the spirit of the Canadian East Coast home, wherever home may be.

 

The Brood & LeafGreen
Friday, June 13
9:00 PM - $10 Door Cover

 

Performances take place in the Marigold lobby in a bar setting. It's about giving Truro a new creative landscape.

The Brood  - Dark and quirky songs that float along like scenes from a night’s dream. Lynchian vibes at the discotheque. Intricate musical interplay, but over a beat you can groove to.
 

The band’s musical recipe is thus: equal parts vocals, keyboards, bass, guitar and drums, interlocking in an electric dixieland tapestry with nods to new wave, disco, psychedelia and grunge. Like a Long Island Iced Tea, there’s a lot going on but it goes down smooth.
 

Experiencing The Brood live is like getting swallowed up by a black hole that chews you up and spits you out into Studio 54.

Claiming to be time-travelers (from 1993 to be exact) LeafGreen boasts a sound that marries the likes of Green Day with Sloan, The Descendants to Weezer, etc. Their first single, “Intro” is a tasteful nod to the lyrical prowess of Kobain, where borderline cryptic lyrics become oddly relatable.  Tortured, but too amused to dwell on it; LeafGreen is for the fun-loving kid in all of us. Even if they're a little angsty.

 

Kids Losing Sleep and Customer Service
Friday, June 20
9:00 PM - $10 Door Cover

 

Performances take place in the Marigold lobby in a bar setting. It's about giving Truro a new creative landscape.

Brandishing larger than life anthems, Kids Losing Sleep transform the sensibilities of a high-gloss pop act into a 4-piece rock band dynamic. With an innate ability to write earworm hooks, enduringly memorable melodies, and gut-punching lyrics, KLS emerges with songs that create a deep connection with listeners and come to life on stage. 

After kicking doors down with their self-produced 2019 debut EP, LOVES, the band faced their fair share of highs, lows, and a lineup change. But in 2023, Kids Losing Sleep marked the start of a new era. They locked in on a bold vision with the release of their three-song EP Holding Your Hand & Wasting Your Time. Embracing a darker, grittier sound, KLS swapped their clean-cut image for something a little more raw and intense, leaning into heavier guitars and deeper themes, showing they’ve got something real to say.

Now, they’re channelling all of that energy into their upcoming full-length album, which is set to release in 2025. This record is a powerful reflection of the band’s evolution, a culmination of the raw emotion and changes they’ve experienced over the years. But despite the new edge, KLS still delivers the tight, high-energy performances that made them a force to be reckoned with in the first place - only now, they’re louder, bolder, and more unstoppable than ever.

Pop, rock, loud, sad – call it what you want.

From the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia––a city that feels both like a remote corner of the world and the center of something extraordinary––Customer Service creates music that mirrors its hometown duality. Their unassuming yet unforgettable take on indie-emo blends influences from Modern Baseball to The Promise Ring, catching the attention of new labels Royal Mountain Records and Exclaim!, who named Customer Service one of 2024's best new artists.

 

Drag Me To Pride - Truro Pride Kick-Off Show
Saturday, June 21
7:30 PM - $35

(Not a Marigold-presented show)

Welcome to "Drag Me To Pride" a Dragstravaganza Kick-off to Truro's Pride Week. Get ready for a surreal spectacle featuring drag performers serving up looks and performances that will make your jaw drop to the floor. From avant-garde divas to outlandish characters, each act is a bizarre delicacy that will leave you craving more. Expect a night of laughter and celebration that will have you ready to grab a Pride flag and march in the parade. So grab your best wig, put on some sequins, and brace yourself for a show that is unforgettable!

 

Hawksley Workman
Saturday, June 28
7:30 PM - $52


Hawksley Workman is a JUNO Award-winning and Gold Record certified singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Since his ground-breaking self-produced indie debut For Him and The Girls (1999) through to chart-topping singles of 2020, Hawksley has careened between major label international smash hits to Canadiana soaked indie releases.  Boasting a catalogue of 17 solo records, Hawksley’s genre defying style strings together folk, chart pop and irrepressible cabaret. His show-stopping vocals on songs about weather, love, heartbreak and tales of end-times have garnered him a league of devoted fans.

Performing over a thousand shows worldwide, Hawksley has headlined prestigious venues like Massey Hall and The Olympia in Paris. For a uniquely Canadian artist Hawksley has built loyal fan bases in the UK, France, Norway and Australia launching many successful tours, demystifying and delighting fans while drawing on an enviable catalogue of mischievous favourites, glammy stompers and heartfelt hymns to small town Canada.

 

Maximum Overdrive at the Legion
Friday, July 11
7:30 PM - $30


Maximum Overdrive is the East Coast's hottest party band, bringing the energy and excitement of the '80s back to life with a bang. Their high-octane performances have quickly become legendary, keeping the dance floor packed and the crowd electrified all night long. With a killer lineup of seasoned musicians who've rocked stages across Canada and beyond, Maximum Overdrive delivers an unforgettable experience. They cover timeless '80s classics from artists like INXS, Duran Duran, The Pixies, Madonna, Billy Idol, Blondie, Cindi Lauper, and more.

From the first beat to the last encore, their diverse mix of hits will transport you back to the glory days of the '80s. If you're ready to relive the magic, the fashion, and the best tunes of the era, Maximum Overdrive is your ticket to an unforgettable night.

Join the party. Live the '80s. Go to Maximum Overdrive.

 

 

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Marigold Cultural Centre

605 Prince Street

Truro, NS B2N 1G2

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