Calgary poet reading from latest collection

There is a pretty diverse week of entertainment happening in Lethbridge.
The Most Vocal Poets Society will be hosting Calgary poet/spoken word artist Kirk Ramdath on Feb. 22 from 7-10 p.m. at The Crossings branch library. He will be reading from his latest book “Love In A Handful of Dust.”
For people who like jazz, Edmonton jazz group the AB trio are playing the Slice on Feb. 24, while Bandemonium, featuring guitarist James Oldenburg, plays the Casino on Feb. 24-25.
It is also a good week for roots music with former Watchmen bassist Ken Tizzard playing a solo show at the Slice on Feb. 25.
Big Smoke of ’52 will be playing some rock and roll at the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Feb. 25.
And Stuart Maclean’s Vinyl Cafe will be at the Yates Centre for two shows on Feb. 26, a 2:30 p.m. matinee and a 7 p.m. evening show. Bluesman Harry Manx will be among the featured performers for the host of the popular CBC radio show.
The big roots show of the week is Steve Coffey, who will not only premiere some of his newest paintings at the Geomatic Attic on Feb. 25 from 10-4 p.m., but will be introduce his fifth CD with his band The Lokels in the evening.
“For the first album, we recorded it live off the floor. We’ve returned to that on this one,” he said.
Coffey says he’s been a painter for many years, and has exhibited all over the world, as far away as Poland. He has galleries in Calgary, Edmonton and Black Diamond. Now Lethbridge is showcasing his art, which includes as many rural themes as his songs. Landscapes, blue skies, clouds, and trains figure prominently in both.
“I use this phrase to describe my music: ‘It’s organic grooves and poetic creations richly grown and raised from the prairies of rural Alberta.’ I guess that can describe my paintings too,” he said.
He and Geomatic Attic owner Mike Spencer have been discussing opening The Attic as a gallery for many years. They already have several of Coffey’s paintings on display.
“This opening will include all new works,” he said, adding there will be 18 or 19 new works depending on the amount of wall space available.
Tickets for the evening show cost $25. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Feb. 22
Owl Acoustic Lounge — L.A. Beat open jam
Ric’s Grill — Ain’t Misbehaving with Bridgette Yarwood and Evan Schaaf’
Crossings branch library — Most Vocal Poets present Kirk Ramdath, 7-10 p.m.

Feb. 23
Enmax Centre — Lord of the Dance
 Good Earth Coffee House — Renee Werenka and Friends

Feb. 24
Casino Lethbridge — Bandemonium
Slice — AB Trio
Jimmy’s Pub — Open mic with Cory Oryniak and Dave Tillsley
Ric’s Grill — Davidson Porter Trio
Average Joe’s — Dueling Pianos
Lethbridge Folk Club — open mic
Owl Acoustic Lounge — Matt Robinson

Feb. 25
Geomatic Attic — Steve Coffey and the Lokels
Casino Lethbridge — Bandemonium
Ric’s Gril l— Cal Toth
Owl Acoustic Lounge — Big Smoke of 52
Slice — Bob Wiseman, $10

Feb. 26
Yates — Stuart Maclean Vinyl Cafe
Slice — Royal Canoe with Robocode

Feb. 27
Slice — Tania Gill jazz, $10
Owl Acoustic Lounge — open mic

Feb. 28
Slice — open mic
Bo Diddly’s — open mic

Feb. 29
Slice — Ken Tizzard
Owl Acoustic Lounge — L.A. Beat open jam
Ric’s Grill— Ain’t Misbehavin’ with Bridgette Yarwood and Evan Schaaf