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Kootenay Savings Music in The Park: The Mbira Renaissance Band and El Balcón
July 9 @ 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm
By donation
On July 9, Kootenay Savings Music in The Park sees world music take centre stage as the Southern African influences of The Mbira Renaissance Band and the Mexican/Middle Eastern vibes of El Balcón make for a danceable night from 6:15 to 8 pm at Gyro Park.
The Mbira Renaissance Band is one of Edmonton’s most exciting acts, fusing the soulful sounds of the mbira, a traditional instrument from Zimbabwe, with contemporary guitar, keyboard and brass instruments. The Mbira Renaissance Band has toured internationally and recently toured Zimbabwe, the US and across Canada with their fresh, energetic sound.
An “…engaging performance that had the whole audience on its feet” – Canmore Folk Festival
Seamlessly moving between re-interpretations of traditional repertoires and original compositions, they mix a range of genres including reggae, afro jazz and pop, chimurenga and jit, reminiscent of greats such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Chiwoniso, Bhundu Boys and Thomas Mapfumo.
“High energy and engaging” – Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival
Hear Mbira perform https://youtu.be/xdWCs-AhmZA
Learn more at https://mbirarenaissance.com/
El Balcón is a Montreal-based group of six artists from diverse backgrounds who draw inspiration from traditional music such as Son Jarocho from Mexico and various styles from the Middle East and SE Europe, for a fiery performance that gets people dancing.
Creating their music as a collective, this prolific group began by making creative arrangements of traditional tunes from Mexico, where lead singer Valeria Del Marre comes from. They have evolved to composing original and innovative music that combines Mexican folk instruments like the Jarana, Reguinto and “La Tarima” (a polyrhythm foot board for traditional rhythmic dancing) with the microtonal melodies of the east on the violin and oud. All grounded with the earthy touch of an upright bass and an array of masterful percussion including cajon, riqq, pandero, and Kijada del Burro (donkey jaw bone).
Hear El Balcón perform https://youtu.be/GQpQ8jhObwo
Learn more at https://www.elbalconmusic.com/
There’s plenty to look forward to this season as every Thursday until August 13, as at least two music acts perform, making it the perfect opportunity for family, friends and visitors to get together outside and listen to great live music in beautiful Gyro Park.
And, be sure to put our special events in your diary. Our popular Night Markets on July 16 and August 13 from 5-8:30 pm are mini festivals featuring music, food, and Trail’s Incredible Farmers Market.
Don’t forget our celebration of Diverse Community and INCLUSION with RemarkABILITY Fest on July 23 from 5:30-8:30 pm, featuring vendors and info booths alongside two great live bands. Plus the Friday night beach dance party, Music in the Dark, on August 7 from 7:30 to 10 pm.
So, bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes for a Summer of live music in the park!
Admission is by $5 suggested donation per person at Gyro Park. Or attend ALL the events and support the Trail Arts Council’s programming by buying a Season Pass for the whole summer for $40! Get your pass online or upgrade to an EDGEplus or EDGE2plus pass for benefits throughout the year at https://purchase.trail-arts.com/Memberships.
Please note that entrance for Music in the Dark is $10. Buy online or at the park. This is a no alcohol event recommended for ages 15 and up.
This show is made possible thanks to our title sponsors Kootenay Savings and Kootenay Insurance Services, and support from Pharmasave Trail, Teck Trail Operations, Doane Grant Thornton LLP, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the City of Trail, Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, the Province of British Columbia, BC Arts Council, BC Live Performance Network, and the Government of Canada.
Upcoming shows
Thurs., July 16: The Night Market
– Baker Street Blues from Nelson are always highly entertaining, bringing their “rockin’ blues dance band” to Trail. “Blues that grabs hold of you…and doesn’t let go!”
– Twin Fiddles features favourites of the fiddling world. JJ Guy and Gordon Stobbe, whose distinctive original tunes are written in the twin fiddle style with lead and harmony lines that reflect their shared love for traditional fiddle music.
– Oktopus is an award winning, Canadian world music octet that devotes itself to klezmer music, while taking a distinctive approach that incorporates elements from the classical, Québécois, and jazz repertoires.
Thurs., July 16: The Night Market
– Baker Street Blues from Nelson are always highly entertaining, bringing their “rockin’ blues dance band” to Trail. “Blues that grabs hold of you…and doesn’t let go!”
– Twin Fiddles features favourites of the fiddling world. JJ Guy and Gordon Stobbe, whose distinctive original tunes are written in the twin fiddle style with lead and harmony lines that reflect their shared love for traditional fiddle music.
– Oktopus is an award winning, Canadian world music octet that devotes itself to klezmer music, while taking a distinctive approach that incorporates elements from the classical, Québécois, and jazz repertoires.
Thurs., July 23: Remarkability
– Rock Squad is a 4-piece band covering classic rockers from the past that will rock your socks off! The band was formed after two members Luc Picard (drums) and Marshall (Guitar) met at Autism BC during one of their Awareness Events.
– La Déferlance is a Quebec based French Trad group that plays imaginative arrangements of lively tunes, and original compositions. Expect step dancing.
– Rock Squad is a 4-piece band covering classic rockers from the past that will rock your socks off! The band was formed after two members Luc Picard (drums) and Marshall (Guitar) met at Autism BC during one of their Awareness Events.
– La Déferlance is a Quebec based French Trad group that plays imaginative arrangements of lively tunes, and original compositions. Expect step dancing.
Thurs., July 30
– Steve Marc Band radiates dancy reggae/calypso grooves and uplifting/healing vibes. This six piece band brings fun, love and energy to the stage with creative arrangements of cover songs known and unknown, mixed in with original songs.
– The Latin Lovers are seven extremely dynamic musicians who play Latin Fusion. With a mix of original songs and well-known Spanish covers, they invite the audience to participate by adding harmonies and playing shakers.
– Steve Marc Band radiates dancy reggae/calypso grooves and uplifting/healing vibes. This six piece band brings fun, love and energy to the stage with creative arrangements of cover songs known and unknown, mixed in with original songs.
– The Latin Lovers are seven extremely dynamic musicians who play Latin Fusion. With a mix of original songs and well-known Spanish covers, they invite the audience to participate by adding harmonies and playing shakers.
Thurs., August 6
– Velvet is a group of young, energetic emerging local musicians who play fun rock covers.
– Hellbent Engine is a horn-driven hard/alt rock band from Rossland/Trail. A high-energy, classic rock and heavy metal cover band with originals that sounds as if “Foo Fighters” and “Thornley” had a “Chicago” baby.
– Velvet is a group of young, energetic emerging local musicians who play fun rock covers.
– Hellbent Engine is a horn-driven hard/alt rock band from Rossland/Trail. A high-energy, classic rock and heavy metal cover band with originals that sounds as if “Foo Fighters” and “Thornley” had a “Chicago” baby.
Friday, August 7: Music in the Dark
– Paris Pick and the Pricks are known for their unique blend of alt-yacht-pop-rock music. With her unmistakable voice, fearless fashion, Pick blends crunchy-cute guitar with breezy mid-’70s vocal melodies backed by her sequin-clad Pricks!
– Stubbs and the are rooted in Rossland. This 5-piece plays crowd-pleasing covers and independent original and theatrical music with lyrics in 10 different languages to push the limits of what you like in music, with elements that mix silliness with genuine authenticity.
– Paris Pick and the Pricks are known for their unique blend of alt-yacht-pop-rock music. With her unmistakable voice, fearless fashion, Pick blends crunchy-cute guitar with breezy mid-’70s vocal melodies backed by her sequin-clad Pricks!
– Stubbs and the are rooted in Rossland. This 5-piece plays crowd-pleasing covers and independent original and theatrical music with lyrics in 10 different languages to push the limits of what you like in music, with elements that mix silliness with genuine authenticity.
Thurs., August 13: Night Market
– Aaron Pasacreta is a Kootenay-based musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose folk-pop alternative sound blends traditional storytelling with modern influences. He will be playing with a 6-piece band.
– Tim Sars Quartet is a horn heavy quartet that fuses together New Orleans street beat, latin jazz, and funk. Tim has been leading the Carnival band and playing baritone, alto, and tenor saxophone with many groups around Vancouver for the past 20 years.
– Aaron Pasacreta is a Kootenay-based musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose folk-pop alternative sound blends traditional storytelling with modern influences. He will be playing with a 6-piece band.
– Tim Sars Quartet is a horn heavy quartet that fuses together New Orleans street beat, latin jazz, and funk. Tim has been leading the Carnival band and playing baritone, alto, and tenor saxophone with many groups around Vancouver for the past 20 years.
Shows are moved indoors if the weather is not cooperative.
Check our Facebook page by 2 pm on Thursdays for the exact location.
Check our Facebook page by 2 pm on Thursdays for the exact location.
