Myer Horowitz Theatre, U of A Campus,

114 Street & 89 Avenue

September 22, 2007

www.leonardcohennights.org

COHENIGHTS ARTS SOCIETY PRESENTS
THE 6TH ANNUAL LEONARD COHEN FESTIVAL

A Multi-Day Celebration of the Arts inspired by the works of Leonard Cohen.

The 6th Annual Leonard Cohen Festival is a brilliant celebration of Canada’s most internationally celebrated singer songwriter. Many Edmontonians enjoy the annual Leonard Cohen Festival as a kick off to the performing arts season. Last year’s Leonard Cohen Night concert was a huge success, with the final concert completely sold out. The Cohenights organizers are absolutely thrilled with the incredible response they’ve received each year from the artists and the public. This year’s festival takes a turn on a bigger stage in the beautiful Myer Horowitz Theatre.

This year’s lineup includes artists new to the festival, including Crystal Plamondon and Bob Jahrig with special guests Darren Frank and Ido Vanderlaan. We’re also thrilled to welcome back festival favourite Sheri-D Wilson.
“We are proud to be presenting the 6th Annual Leonard Cohen birthday celebration event in Edmonton. The Leonard Cohen Night festival just gets bigger and better every year. This is the first year we have had both a Friday and a Saturday event,” said Kim Solez, President of the Cohenights Arts Society. “In 2007, the Friday Birthday Party and the Saturday Leonard Cohen Night concert are part of a broader Leonard Cohen Festival celebration that begins with the opening of the Cohen themed art exhibition that opens at City Hall on September 7th curated by Phil Alain.”

The annual Leonard Cohen Festival Visual Arts display is again at City Hall for two weeks starting September 7. Admission is free.

There will be a Friday night Leonard Cohen Festival Birthday Party with Academic Discussion and Poetry Reading this year. It features Sheri-D Wilson and Darren Frank, One night only September 21, 8 p.m. at the Myer Horowitz Theatre. Admission is free. The Festival’s dates always include September 21, the Montreal-born artist’s birthday. Happy Birthday 73rd birthday Leonard!

The Cohenights Arts Society produces events bringing together artists of all disciplines to pay tribute to the work of Leonard Cohen. Cohen’s songs and poetry have influenced more than two generations of singer-songwriters, and thousands of renditions of his work have been recorded. His lyrics conjure poetic images that are evocative and believable, and themes in his songs range from love, religion, sex and death.

Visual Arts Display
September 7-21
Featuring: Paintings inspired by the work of Leonard Cohen by Phil Alain and several other well known local artists. Curated by Phil Alain. City Hall.
Admission FREE.

Festival Academic Discussion
September 21
Featuring: Sheri-D Wilson. Supported by poetry reading, open mike, and a performer: Darren Frank. Myer Horowitz Theatre at 8 p.m. Admission FREE.

2007 Leonard Cohen Night
September 22
Featuring: Crystal Plamondon, supported by Bob Jahrig, Darren Frank and Ido Vanderlaan with musical director Kit Johnson and show producer Karen Slevinsky. Myer Horowitz Theatre, University of Alberta at 8 p.m.
The Myer Horowitz Theatre is a full-featured performance theatre in the heart of the University of Alberta campus. The entire theatre offers a close, intimate view of the performers on stage. The theatre is located near two covered parkades, and has direct access via the Edmonton public transit system.For more info visit www.leonardcohennights.org

2007 Leonard Cohen Night Performer’s biographies
Crystal Plamondon
Crystal Plamondon has earned an international reputation as a World Class Recording Artist and Entertainer. A bilingual singer, songwriter, percussionist, Crystal hails from Plamondon, AB. In 2004 she was awarded “Prix Sylvie Van Brabant” for Excellence in Artisque Creation in Alberta. “Cow-Boy Poétré” a production of L’UniTthéàtre / The National Arts Centre marked Crystal’s premiere performance in live theatre in the spring of 2005. She was part of an Alberta documentary entitled “Alberta Bound” which aired on CBC Television in August 2005 as part of her province’s centennial celebration.

Bob Jahrig
Bob Jahrig, an Edmonton-based singer/songwriter has been involved in the Alberta music scene for a number of years. His debut CD, Tree Tops, was released in 2002. Bob has been a concert performer at folk venues across Alberta and teaches songwriting as an artist-in-residence in elementary schools.

Darren Frank
Darren Frank is a melodic interpreter of the human experience. He is a lyrical double-entendre, a poet, and an organically musical artist. Inspired by the everyday extraordinary, Frank sews together songs from his heartstrings with a rich and raw tapestry of sound and lyrics. Frank’s ability to communicate the feelings of isolation/inclusion through music helped him move through the dark and light days described in his songs: “Music has always been a companion,” says Frank, “It’s an outlet that helps me say the things I have a hard time saying otherwise. Writing is a reminder that my life is a work in progress - sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not, but it’s who I am and it’s what I have to give.” The result is his 2007 debut solo album that examines topics plucked from Frank’s life like being bare and honest (..Uncross Your Arms..), self-helping (..Show and Tell..), memories that the senses evoke (..Old Familiar..), and the ping-pong match that is depression and elation (..I Feel Fine..).But these songs on record are only half the experience. Frank’s ability to engage audiences with his raw vulnerability in his live performances is a refreshing balance of soul, pop and folk brought to the stage.

Ido Vanderlaan
Ido Vanderlaan was born in Poria, Israel. Growing up in the Netherlands with his Mother, a professional sculptor, he was artistically influenced by such mediums as drawing and sculpting. After immigrating to Edmonton, Canada at the age of ten, Ido turned to music as an avenue of expression. Picking up the guitar at the age of fourteen, he found a niche in the craft of songwriting and enrolled at the Grant MacEwan vocal studies program in 1998. Ido has enjoyed local success with such bands as Year of the Panda, The Wowzers, and currently, Lovertine.

Kit Johnson
Kit Johnson relocated in Calgary in 1999 after 27 years in Toronto and has since been working in Calgary’s recording and live music scenes as well as continuing to tour and play with some of Canada’s top musicians. Kit has played extensively with some of the country’s finest roots, country and rock acts and has backed up many international artists on stage and in the studio over the last 20 years. In 2006 Kit toured with Murray McLaughlin, David Wilcox and George Fox as well as playing and recording in Alberta with many different artists. Solid ‘no-nonsense’ bass playing is his forte though he is also an award winning songwriter, a record producer and a guitar player.

All tickets for the Saturday, September 22nd Leonard Cohen Night event are $25 and are General Admission seating, plus applicable phone, internet or mail-out charges.Tickets are available at TIX on the Square, 780.420.1757 or toll free 1-877.888.1757 or by clicking above icon.