|
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
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|

|
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!
|
|

|
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.
|
|

|
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.
|
|
POST SHOW SURVEY
Tell us about your recent show experience
for the chance to win two tickets to an upcoming Marigold presented
show!
|
|
|
|
|
|