SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival             

Fri – July 9                  

Various Venues

Get ready for the jazz festival, 10 days of live music in both Victoria Park, the main festival site and popping up in other corners of our city. Thursday night, there’s a special festival kick-off event with a performance by the Stone Frigate Big Band. Grab a spot along River Landing at the amphitheatre in front of the Remai Modern at 7:00p.m. and listen to the band as they float by on the Prairie Lily. The festival happens in two parts and there’s way too many artists to mention them all here. If you’d like to know more about the headliners, here’s the link. 

For the full program and details on the artists, follow this link.

FREE PROGRAM  June 30  –  July 5th

The nearly 50 free-stage acts include locals like Minivandal, Heidi Munro & The Real Groovy Band, Wires & Wood and the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra. Here are a few of my picks off the free program.

Mazacote – June 30th

These Juno nominees are no strangers to the summer festival circuit playing throughout Western Canada. Its blend of Afro-Caribbean percussion, horns and sultry vocals will have you swaying your hips on a hot summer night.

 

Malika Tirolien  – July 1st

Malika Tirolien blends R&B, hip hop, soul and jazz into a new genre she calls “high soul” that has entranced audiences all over the world. Originally from the island of Guadeloupe, now based in Montreal Tirolien has toured world-wide performing with acts like Cirque du Soleil, Snarky Puppy and Bokanté which was nominated for a Grammy. Tirolien will be performing music from her latest album Higher.

 

Barbra Lica – July 3 

Canadian singer songwriter Barbra Lica will be part of the Strictly Jazz series at The Bassment. Lica has been named one of Canada’s Top 5 jazz singers by CBC, she’s a Juno nominee and a regular at clubs throughout North America. Lica isn’t strictly jazz, she incorporates elements of folk, pop and humour into her latest album Imposter Syndrome.

 

Winsome Kind – July 5 

How about an afternoon pop-up performance? Husband & wife folk pop duo Scott & Leora Joy Perrie are no strangers to our province. In 2021, they decided to pull up stakes and move to Mexico with their children in search of adventure and inspiration. The result was a new album Love in a Hurricane set for release this September. Winsome Kind spread joy and positivity wherever they go and they’ll brighten up your day at The Little Market Box.

 

TICKETED PROGRAM July 6 – 9

The ticketed part of the program includes 20 acts that span many genres. There is new ticketing format this year where you buy a day pass and can see all the shows in Victoria Park with that pass. Passes are $37 – $75 or there are several multi-day options available. Along with big names Amanda Marshall (July 6), Serena Ryder (July 7), St. Paul & Broken Bones (July 8) and Margo Price (July 9), there are other incredible musicians that you should check out. Here are a few highlights.

The Beaches  – July 6

You’ll instantly recognize these Canadian pop stars from the song Grow Up Tomorrow in high rotation right now. This is a summer band if I ever heard one. The Juno award winners are celebrating a decade of performing by touring North America with music from the new album Blame My Ex set for release in September.

 

Celeigh Cardinal – July 7

Juno award-winning folk singer Celeigh Cardnial has been singing since she was four years old. The Métis and Cree artist from Alberta has an incredible voice that cuts you down to the core with its old soul Motown vibe. Cardinal has toured all over the world and this performance is sure to be packed with new music from her upcoming album.

 

Johnnyswim – July 8

Real life married couple and American folk duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez blend story and harmony into a performance that will have you swooning. Amanda is the daughter of music legend Donna Summer and when she joined forces with Abner, the result was pure magic . Johnnyswim’s music draws on life’s ups and downs and has earned them fans across the globe.

 

The Bros. Landreth – July 9

If you didn’t know who Winnipeg band The Bros. Landreth were before February of this year, you certainly did after Bonnie Raitt gave them a shout out on the 65^th Grammy Awards. Raitt credited their song Made Up Mind for her Grammy win for Best Americana Performance. The Joey and Dave Landreth have their own accolades for their roots-rock sound including a couple Juno Awards. The duo is touring full out this year on the summer festival scene.

 

OTHER EVENTS COMING UP…

Canada Day               

Saturday                    

River Landing Area

A full day of events are on tap for you to celebrate Canada’s 156^th birthday. All the events are happening downtown on the riverbank. There will be face painting, games and activities for the kids, as well as a ton of entertainment. The acts include the Saskatoon Scottish Country Dancers, Bridge City Bhangra, the Afghan Women’s Choir and fiddling by Phil & Dallas Boyer. The traffic bridge will be shut down for food vendors offering tasty treats. There will also be a citizenship ceremony swearing in brand new Canadians. Just before the fireworks at 10:30p.m., Jay Semko and Friends will take the stage. These events are free but bring along a little cash for food and shopping.

For the full schedule & more information, click here.

 

*video courtesy Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan              

July 4 – Aug. 19         

SOTS Site  

The Bard is coming back to the banks of the South Saskatchewan with two main stage shows, a third, contemporary play and the Players’ Series for its 2023 season. Artistic director Kayvon Khoshakam will be bringing contemporary influences to the tragedy Romeo and Juliet (July 4 – August 20). As You Like It (July 13 – August 19) will be getting a modern remake and The Dark Lady (July 6 – 23) is a new play that reimagines Shakespeare’s relationship to the muse of his sonnets Emilia Bassano. The Player’s Series is a celebration of community talent with a variety of performances that celebrate Shakespeare through mediums like puppetry, wrestling and magic. Those shows will run July 24 – 19. Tickets for Romeo & Juliet and As You Like It are $20 – $40 and admission for The Dark Lady is a pay-what-you-can format between $15 – $25.

Follow this link for all the details and directions to the festival site.