SILVER SKATE FESTIVAL

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Night Works in the Park 

February 17th - 19th, 2012

Hawrelak Park, Edmonton

Below are the artists who performed at Nightworks in the Park 2011

Wool on Wolves

Wool on Wolves is a band; pure and simple. They’re not here to distract you with flashing lights or smoke machines. They’re musicians, music fans, roommates, and friends above all else, who hold a genuine belief that music has the ability to move beyond speakers and headphones to truly encapsulate the human experience.

Formed in the fall of 2008, the group works diligently to convey the emotion they feel while writing and performing from their home in Edmonton, Alberta. Each member of the group is a multi-instrumentalist, which allows for the listener to break from the predictable preconceptions of what constitutes modern pop and rock music. Well educated in classic and modern musical aesthetics and with tastes as diverse as their University degrees, the band aims to write and perform material that is fresh yet familiar at the same time.

Originally intended to be the band's full-length debut; "Hate is Poor” (2010) is the 5-song culmination of a year-long ordeal fought against the less-than-professional side of the music industry. In spite of too many obstacles to list, Wool on Wolves recorded and mixed much of the album from their basement rehearsal space in an effort to share their unique brand of indie-folk-rock. Sombre yet optimistic, “Hate is Poor” foreshadows the
band’s evolution, moving into their full-length debut.

One week after the EP release, Wool on Wolves returned to the studio in April 2010 thanks to RAWLCO’s 10K20 program and Calgary’s Mix 97.7. Receiving this grant allowed the band to work with acclaimed Edmonton producer and musician Nik Kozub to produce an 11-song album that traces their musical roots while also branching into new territory, both sonically and lyrically. “Grey Matter” will be self-released in November 2010.

Colleen Brown

Donovan Workun and Atomic Improv

Donovan has been a professional improviser for almost 20 years. In that time he has garnered several awards, including 3 world improv championships, where he performed alongside Colin Mochrie and Wayne Brady, from ABC TV’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway.”

Donovan’s improv skills translated well into several acting roles working alongside Second City alumnus Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty, and Mike Myers. Donovan has also been featured in numerous national print and television ad campaigns including Lottery 6/49, CIBC and Canada’s largest furniture retailer “The Brick.”

Additional television credits include head writer for Season Four of the award-winning documentary series “Taking It Off” for LIFE Network and starring as a main character in 2 seasons of the CBC TV’s animated series “ICE”.

Donovan still performs improv weekly with Atomic Improv and Die-Nasty, the legendary improv soap opera. In addition, he uses his skills to teach the values of improv to a corporate clientele that includes Suncor, the Greater Edmonton Teachers association and the Albert Research Council. Donovan has also tailored an improv workshop for kids. His workshops are both a student and teacher favorite year after year in several Alberta School districts.

atomicimprov.com

Neko Rei

At the end of the road on the Upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, three musicians of instrumentation and original electronica composition featuring the warm, dynamic sounds of the didgeridoo. Charged with positivity, Neko Rei’s upbeat vibe features ultra-groovy bass guitar, live keyboards, and funky, hardhitting drums and percussion. The band’s lively tracks keep crowds moving, groovin’ and dancin’ for hours. Neko Rei takes audiences on an aural journey across a wide spectrum of electronica ranging from loungy-downtempo, electro, tribal, and funky- house. Appealing to a wide range of ages and backgrounds, Neko Rei’s music is set to take the world music scene by storm. A Neko Rei performance is a rally cry for for positive change, heralding a new age of knowledge, compassion, and connectivity.

www.nekorei.com
www.myspace.com/nekoreiband
www.youtube.com/nekoreiband

Vibe Tribe

Vibe Tribe -   Started in 2006, Vibe Tribe is rooted in the tradition of Improvisational Tribal Fusion Belly dance ,they have grown to become a mesmerizing Gypsy circus as they gone beyond Belly Dance and have incorporated Poi, Hoops, Swords and Fire. Vibe Tribe seeks to inspire their audience with every show they perform by weaving a magical experience of gypsy-inspired grace and intensity. 

www.vibe-tribe.ca  

Viajante

Viajante (vee-a-HAHN-tay) World Beat Drum Ensemble has been around since 2000, when the students of Master Percussionist Tilo Paiz persuaded him to bring our classroom work to the performing stage.

Our first performance was January 2001, when we helped to open the University of Alberta's International Week. For 45 minutes we played in the busy hubbub of Hub Mall, and to our delight the audience not only tolerated our first attempt but actually seemed to enjoy our music.

As we approach our 10th anniversary, we are able to reflect proudly on many performances in Edmonton and around Alberta (and yes, a few challenges; but then what we do is 'live' after all).

Viajante today possesses an ever expanding repertoire, one sampler CD recorded in 2002 (Viva Viajante!) and our next one in progress. Our membership has changed substantially since we began - thankfully Tilo has stuck around - but our commitment to performance excellence, the celebration of percussion music and to our community has not changed. Viajante is delighted to be performing again at Silver Skates Festival, and invites you to join with us in a celebration of percussion music, Alberta-style!

Leo Letendre

My name is Leo Mark Letendre. My Cree name is Dancing Eagle Wolf. This name was given to me in honour  to seek  the vision in  bringing  together people through dance, song and storytelling to create unity. This I have done through my traditional dances, sharing of my rich traditional Cree cultural. I have been very fortunate in my life to have fulfilled some of my dreams and visions, to be able to travel and live in many different countries, therefore enriching my knowledge of the wonderful cultures around the world and along the way, sharing my culture and promoting First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of North America.  By sharing of me through dance, songs, storytelling and laughter, we become unified in the celebration of life and inspire and encourage younger generations to keep walking the path of our ancestors. By doing this we are walking in the spirit of our culture. My dream is to create space for the spirit for all peoples, young and old.  My vision is to continue to share our beautiful first peoples history with people from all walks of life.

Vine

"V.I.N.E. (Vocal Improvisation Network of Edmonton) is a new and adventurous vocal group in Edmonton. In the spirit of Bobby McFerrin and other great vocal improvisers, V.I.N.E. creates spontaneous musical compositions that paint ethereal soundscapes and groove intertwining rhythms. Demonstrating vocal mastery while eminating a wonderous sense of play, V.I.N.E. is always sprouting fresh ideas for the listeners ears."

The voices of V.I.N.E. are a gathering of various vocal improvisers including Christopher Giffen, Kevin Parkinson, Gord Oaks, Laura Giffen, Sonja Myllymaki, Alison Grant-Preville and Karen Porkka as well as other guests.

http://www.karenporkka.com/fr_vinevocalimprovisationnetworkofedmonton.cfm

Jason Kodie

Jason Kodie is and continues to be an active musician in the charming northern Canadian capital city of Edmonton Alberta, and has been doing so for the past 20 years.
He performs routinely and vigorously with a cast of characters and bands, (Allez Ouest, Captain Tractor, Le Fuzz), and an extensive list of former bands who have either burned out or were forced into early retirement. Among the many chapeaux that he may wear, he has also carved a niche as a sought after accordionist, musical director, and soundscape designer.

He once landed a quad - 4 gigs in one day in 4 cities! Beat that Kurt Browning.

The release of his first solo record 'A Blessed Curse', propels his journey as a musician with many hats forward.

Check him out

www.myspace.com/jasonkodiemusic
www.jasonkodie.com