Events
March 18th 7:30pm, join us here at the Historic Astor Theatre for a night of music and good fun.
We will be hosting our very first Big Stage Open Mic. Come out to experience the bright lights and atmosphere of the big stage and have your moment in the spot light! Feel free to bring an instrument along or just bring yourself.
The bar will be open for drinks and the stage will be set for singing!
Maxim & Gervais Cormier + Sam Wilson & Gabriella Ciurcovich
Maxim Cormier is one of Canada’s most decorated musicians, known to audiences both as a “genre-defying guitar virtuoso” and an award-winning composer. With training in classical, jazz, and world music, Cormier strives to reimagine what guitar mastery can sound like. Praise has come from critics including the CBC’s Bob Mersereau, who hailed Cormier’s unconventional flat-pick, steel-string interpretation of Bach as “not just a worthy experiment… [but] a revelation.”
Guitarist Sam Wilson oscillates between the worlds of improvisation and composition. From solo to quintet, she presents a performance that reflects her love of jazz, improvised and instrumental music stemming from various traditions. Her debut album Groundless Apprehensions, released in 2019, received nominations from the ECMAs and Music Nova Scotia for ‘Jazz recording of the year’. Her follow up solo guitar album, Into a Heart (pt. II) released on Muzak records in Japan, and independently to the rest of the world, won the 2022 Music Nova Scotia Jazz Recording of the Year
This is a FREE event presented by the TD Halifax Jazz Festival! General admission. The doors will open at 7 with the show starting at 7:30pm.
Join us for our 2nd Annual World Theatre Day Celebration at The Astor Theatre! A cast of 41 youth will be performing a cabaret style theatrical production written by Ashley-Rose Goodwin and her Playwriting Posse from Mersey Rose Theatre Company!
The show is called “The Tale of Gertrude’s Tail” and is a dramatic story of self-discovery based on the Seussical musical character Gertrude McFuzz. The storyline is about the self-discovery Gertrude experiences as she follows a magical map, travelling through the Lands of Broadway to find the Great Dr. Dake! With 14 scenes of music from shows like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Mamma Mia, The Addams Family, Matilda, Oliver, and much, much more, you will find yourself easily entertained by this adorable cast, ranging in age from 4-15!
What theatrical antics will occur when Gertrude travels through the Lands of Broadway? What does Dr. Dake have that Gertrude so desperately wants? Experience this super musically adventurous tale about a tail on Saturday March 25th at 7pm & Sunday March 26th at 2pm!
Poster hand crafted by Kate Lenco.
We acknowledge and appreciate the financial support of the Region of Queens Municipality Diversity and Inclusion Action Team.
Join us for our 2nd Annual World Theatre Day Celebration at The Astor Theatre! A cast of 41 youth will be performing a cabaret style theatrical production written by Ashley-Rose Goodwin and her Playwriting Posse from Mersey Rose Theatre Company!
The show is called “The Tale of Gertrude’s Tail” and is a dramatic story of self-discovery based on the Seussical musical character Gertrude McFuzz. The storyline is about the self-discovery Gertrude experiences as she follows a magical map, travelling through the Lands of Broadway to find the Great Dr. Dake! With 14 scenes of music from shows like Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Mamma Mia, The Addams Family, Matilda, Oliver, and much, much more, you will find yourself easily entertained by this adorable cast, ranging in age from 4-15!
What theatrical antics will occur when Gertrude travels through the Lands of Broadway? What does Dr. Dake have that Gertrude so desperately wants? Experience this super musically adventurous tale about a tail on Saturday March 25th at 7pm & Sunday March 26th at 2pm!
Poster hand crafted by Kate Lenco.
We acknowledge and appreciate the financial support of the Region of Queens Municipality Diversity and Inclusion Action Team.
Quote the Raven, consisting of Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden-Clarke have been performing together for over a decade. The pair got their start in the small bars and pubs around St. John’s and in the past few years have rapidly grown to a household name around Canada and are steadily growing their clout on an international level. The dynamic duo have a harmonious blend that’s incomparable; it’s like the blending of two voices into one, while their Americana meets east coast songwriting and stage dynamic are irresistibly charming. Their sophomore album titled Can’t Hold the Light, an album that delves into the lives of working musicians won the 2022 ECMA for Contemporary Roots album of the year and has been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. It’s clear to see that Quote the Raven are on an upward trajectory with no slowing down in sight.
Kristen Martell’s hazy folk pop songs embrace life’s challenges and quiet moments of beauty. With gentle arrangements, haunting harmonies and insightful messages her songs are the perfect soundtrack to ease your melancholy. With an ECMA nomination and three Music Nova Scotia award nominations since her return to music in 2020, she is making a name for herself in the East Coast music scene and beyond. Her latest album ‘Every Season‘ is her most confident, self-assured and emotionally compelling work to date.
Canadian indie rock singer-songwriter Adam Baldwin will light up our Astor stage on April 15th with his soulful roots vibe! Baldwin has won several Nova Scotia Music Awards during his career and received several East Coast Music Award Nominations! With his special guest, two-time Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke, this will be a Spring performance you will want to experience!
Tim Baker is a prolific wild-eyed dreamer. In late 2022, he returned with The Festival, a sonic embrace, a call in for love, and a cry out for connection. Tim wants us to bring our pain and suffering, and align it all with melody. The Festival is a kaleidoscopic view in these complicated times. Best known as the writer and front man of Hey Rosetta!, a Juno-nominated, Polaris-shortlisted, and multi award-winning band based in St. John’s, NL. With over 15 years of performing their high-energy spectacle in stadiums, clubs, theatres and major festivals around the world, Hey Rosetta! called it quits in 2017. Tim has since transitioned from being the leader and songwriter of a major indie rock band, ascending to a profound songwriter and producer. His solo LP, Forever Overhead, garnered him a Juno nomination for Songwriter of the Year, 3 East Coast Music Awards, and a Polaris long-list. He released The Eighteenth Hole Variations EP in 2019, the Side Door Sessions LP in 2020, and that same year, he released the Survivors EP.
THE HELLO DARLINS is an award winning, powerhouse cast of some of Canada’s most in-demand session musicians combining all of their skills and influences to forge a distinct hybrid of country, gospel and blues. Their work with artists includes a list that ranges from Shania Twain, The Crashtest Dummies, as well as the late B.B. King and more.
Tom Allen is bringing his “Chamber Musicals” back to Atlantic Canada with “The Missing Pages”: the incredible story about Beethoven and Canadian Theodore Molt. This show has Tom narrating and acting the part of Anton Schindler, Lori Gemmell on harp, as well as singer Patricia O’Callaghan playing Susanna Sotto & pianist Gregory Oh (Theodore Molt), and renowned Canadian actor David Boyes as Ludwig van Beethoven.
This is the cast list, and the performers pictured in the photo:
Tom Allen narrator, actor (Anton Schindler)
Lori Gemmel harp
Derek Boyes actor (Ludwig van Beethoven)
Patricia O’Callaghan vocals, actor (Susanna Sotto)
Gregory Oh piano, actor (Theodore Molt)
On December 16, 1825, Theodor Molt became the sole Canadian to meet Ludwig van Beethoven, but what could have happened between the two men? After Molt’s florid greeting in one of Beethoven’s notebooks, the following four pages were violently ripped out and destroyed. Betrayal? Competition? Scandal? Or just old-fashioned ego and pride? With music, song, drama, history and informed speculation, The Missing Pages investigates.
Join multi-award-winning artists, Canadians Suzie Vinnick and Charlie A’Court, and Australian Lloyd Spiegel, for a dynamic evening filled with songs, stories and laughs as they take their roots ‘n’ blues kitchen party from coast-to-coast.
Crossing the globe, commanding both festival and theatre stages, they are seasoned performers, singer-songwriters and storytellers on their own. Witness the magic of these three remarkable and unique artists, showcasing not only their solo works, but their shared collaborations.
“Vinnick is a unique talent; a triple threat singer/songwriter/guitarist. She is emotive, joyous and funky all in the same song.” – Blues Blast Magazine
“A’Court slides into his role as smooth soul man with ease…Singing high and mighty, rising into falsetto, getting into the groove, or slaying us with tenderness, he’s a singing tour-de-force.” – Bob Mersereau, CBC
“Spiegel is ALL presence, authority, rhythm and drive. He epitomizes control, soul and passion with white hot ferocity and blazing instrumental mastery dangerous enough to spark a destructive inferno.” – The Age, Melbourne
The show (Endorsed by Tom’s family and his record label Anthem Records) features many Stompin Tom songs and stories about recording an album, touring and hanging out with Tom. The band known as Whiskey Jack, was a mainstay on the Tommy Hunter show. Over the years, Whiskey Jack has been joined on stage by special guests: Gordon Lightfoot, The Good Brothers, Russell DeCarle, JP Cormier, Cindy Church and many more.
The concert is best described as a personalized, behind-the-scenes portrait of Stompin’ Tom Connors from the band’s many years on the road with Tom. The show features a carefully crafted blend of Connors’ greatest hits and some of the outrageous, yet true stories of Whiskey Jack’s experiences with Tom. The band also perform songs from the performers who inspired him and who he inspired. This is a show that will entertain fans of all musical genres. A performance that guarantees that everyone will leave the event with a smile on their face.
This mixed program will showcase excerpts from major classical ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, The Nutcracker, our smash hit Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet®, along with exciting new contemporary works by Canadian choreographers. Creation for some of these new works began during Covid lockdowns with the dancers and choreographers working virtually over video calls from their homes, others were created in our dance studios under a variety of Covid regulations. You will see the creativity, dedication and artistry that has gone into each creation by Ballet Jörgen’s extraordinary artists.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the show.
The Good Brothers who won eight Juno awards for Best Country Group and headlined gigs at Massey Hall, Roy Thompson Hall, The National Art Centre and performed countless shows at L.A.’s Universal Amphitheatre with (their mentor) Gordon Lightfoot have gained a worldwide audience over the course of their accomplished career. The Goods’ were honoured by being the 2004 inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame as well as two nominations for Country Group and Roots Artist of the year at the Canadian Country Music Awards. They have toured in Europe 40 times, where their loyal legion of fans embrace them time and time again.
“Who doesn’t love Tom Petty?” bassist Darryell Stone asked himself one day in 2012 while listening to the radio. There was only one answer he could imagine, “Nobody.” Testing his hypothesis, Stone polled friends, family and fellow musicians how they felt about Petty. The result was always the same. Everyone loves Tom Petty.
One of these fellow musicians just happened to be Tom Petty’s doppelganger, guitarist and lead vocalist Jonathan Guthrie. Guthrie was an avid fan and had always fantasized about being a Heartbreaker. As two seasoned musicians and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fans, there was really only one thing for them to do – form a Tom Petty tribute band.
The new Tom Petty tribute band rehearsed with one focus – to recreate the music of Tom Petty with precision, attention to detail, and a reverent respect. Parts were studied in great detail, down to inflections in the very way each word of every lyric was sung.
Performing locally in the first year, it didn’t take long for the band to be noticed. Word spread quickly, which led to more shows outside the band’s home state, which led to more word of mouth and exposure. Soon the band was gaining interest from venues across the southeast, which led to more travel and more Tom Petty fans discovering them.
Jump ahead 100 shows and The Wildflowers have become one of the most popular tribute shows across the southeast US, and quickly gaining recognition in other regions.
Equipped with decades of experience and a passion for Tom Petty’s magic way with songs, The Wildflowers bring music lovers of all stripes what they adore. More Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
https://youtu.be/vD3d7Z9GmYU
June 3rd 7:30pm, join us here at the Historic Astor Theatre for a night of music and good fun.
Come out to experience the bright lights and atmosphere of the big stage and have your moment in the spot light! Feel free to bring an instrument along or just bring yourself.
The bar will be open for drinks and the stage will be set for singing!
**Update May 31st: This tour has been cancelled by the promoter. If you bought your tickets online, Ticketpro will contact you directly to process your refund. If you bought your tickets from the box office you will be hearing from us**
Daniel East brings you the Most Requested ED SHEERAN Tribute Show in America!
If you’re a fan of Ed Sheeran’s soulful voice, heartfelt storytelling, magical stage presence, or genuine personality, then you won’t want to miss this show. The ease with which Ed Sheeran switches between genres be it pop, indie- folk, R&B, grime, or hip-hop, each new persona feels like a projection onto a blank slate – offering an experience of ultimate ecstasy.
With that said, you’re just a ticket away from discovering the true essence of this most-followed artist on Spotify. Because our performer Daniel East brings to life all of Ed Sheeran’s most iconic hits, from “Shape of You” to “Thinking Out Loud” and everything in between. From wanderer to a warbler, Daniel East is an established Ed Sheeran Tribute act performer. He has done unforgettable and spellbinding shows with the loop pedal and signature guitars in over 12 countries since 2015.
Daniel East captures the heart of Ed Sheeran’s unique style, from his signature red hair to his touching lyrics and melodic guitar riffs – with incredible attention to detail. You’ll feel like you’re experiencing an Ed Sheeran concert in person. You’ll be singing along to every word and swaying to every beat. This show will leave you wanting more.
Musique Royale announces a province-wide concert tour featuring Capella Regalis Choirs, directed by Nick and Vanessa Halley, with piano and organ accompaniment by Paul Halley, across Nova Scotia in June 2023, with 4 performances held in historic venues in Annapolis Royal, Liverpool, Mahone Bay, and Halifax. This will be the first Capella Regalis tour to include the newly-formed Girls Choir alongside the Men & Boys Choir.
Expect a feast for the ears showcasing the choir’s range of voices, from solos and duets to full ensemble singing. The program includes selections from the choirs’ Evensong repertoire this season, songs from various folk traditions, and of course fabulous Paul Halley arrangements for choir, organ, piano, and percussion. Founded in 2010, Capella Regalis is a Canadian charity dedicated to training singers within a centuries-old tradition, and performing choral music of the highest excellence.
The South Shore Summer Theatre returns to the Astor again this year with their performance of the hit Broadway musical Pippin!
As told by a traveling troupe of actors led by the cunning and charming Leading Player, Pippin is the story of a young prince, heir to the throne, who is searching for his own “corner of the sky.” Pippin returns from university certain that he will find a fulfilling purpose in life. As encouraged by the Leading Player, Pippin dabbles in bloody battle, licentious and lusty sexual entanglements, and saavy political maneuvers, only to discover that true happiness is more complicated than he thought. With infectious tunes by Stephen Schwartz and classic choreography from Bob Fosse, Pippin is both a humorous allegory about growing up and a dark tale of the danger of false appearances and empty promises.