Colin James | October 6

Whitney Cummings | October 7

Kip Moore | October 8

are you a member?

Upcoming Events

Sep 29
Walk Right Back – The Everly Brothers Story
6511
Sep 30
Jessica Rhaye & the Ramshackle Parade “Sunshine Baby” release show
6549
Oct 6
Colin James
6720
Oct 7
An Evening with Whitney Cummings
6740
Oct 8
Kip Moore: Damn Love World Tour
6726
Oct 13
Casting Off: A Good Catch
6742
Oct 14
Donovan Woods
6744
Oct 15
Relive the Music 50s & 60s Rock n Roll Show
7003
Oct 16
SNB: Bruch & Brahms (Bruch et Brahms)
6821
Oct 17
TIFF Film Circuit: Women Talking (2022)
6886
Oct 18
299 Queen Street West – The MUCHMusic Documentary
6936
Oct 19
Legends Show
6518
WALK RIGHT BACK – THE EVERLY BROTHERS STORY Presented by: Paquette Productions DIRECT FROM THE UK! Following an incredible sell out tour, Walk Right Back returns to stages in 2023 by popular demand. From the producers of smash hit show That’ll Be The Day, this phenomenal production tells the story of the most successful musical duo of all time – The Everly Brothers. Featuring hits such as Bye Bye Love, All I Have To Do Is Dream and Cathy’s Clown, this unique concert-based musical entwines the wonderful, sad yet glorious story of The Everly Brothers.
Sep 29
Friday | 7:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

Come celebrate the release of Jessica Rhaye & The Ramshackle Parade’s new album “Sunshine Baby”.

With the release of Sunshine Baby, Jessica Rhaye’s second album with The Ramshackle Parade, the New Brunswick-based singer/songwriter expands her reach as a lyricist and vocalist with a set of alternately personal and observational songs that manage to be incredibly intimate and cinematic in scope simultaneously. While Rhaye illuminates the darker corners of her world on some tracks, the album’s lead single and title track make it clear she’s never lost sight of the possibility for redemption and hope.

The result is a beautiful and powerful album – one that telegraphs the joy and depth of connection Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade have found in working together in equal measure.

The evening will also feature cuts from The Ramshackle Parade’s critically acclaimed 2019 album Just Like a Woman – Songs of Bob Dylan, which has generated millions of views on YouTube, and praise from fans world-wide.   Imagine the band performing live together true to the recording style of Dylan’s earlier works and the days of the Basement Tapes.

Jessica Rhaye and the Ramshackle Parade have graced many prestigious stages including the National Arts Centre, Hughs Room Live, Capital Theatre, Astor Theatre, Evergreen Theatre and are now back at the Imperial Theatre for a night of music not to be missed.

Jessica Rhaye, is known for a sound that seamlessly incorporates folk, singer-songwriter and Americana styles, but if audiences expect a stripped-down, acoustic-focused performance, they’re in for a surprise with folk/rock backing band The Ramshackle Parade.  The music from this group flows naturally but is also skilled, delicate, and pure – imagine Dylan’s days of the basement tapes – renegade folk.

With the release of Sunshine Baby, Jessica Rhaye’s second album with The Ramshackle Parade, the New Brunswick-based singer/songwriter expands her reach as a lyricist and vocalist with a set of alternately personal and observational songs that manage to be incredibly intimate and cinematic in scope simultaneously.  A beautiful and powerful album – one that telegraphs the joy and depth of connection Jessica Rhaye & The Ramshackle Parade have found in working together in equal measure.

Sunshine Baby is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2019 album Just like a Woman – Songs of Bob Dylan, a rollicking folk-rock interpretation of Dylan’s classics.  It is a fun folk-rock album with psychedelic undertones, folkie ballads, a conversation between rockabilly and swing, that has generated millions of views on YouTube and fans’ attention world-wide.

Jessica Rhaye & the Ramshackle Parade have graced many prestigious stages including the National Arts Centre, Hughs Room Live while being nominated for Music NB Live Act of the Year and Fans Choice in 2020 and East Cost Music Award nomination for Group Recording of the Year in 2021.

Jessica’s past solo albums have garnered nominations for the Canadian Folk, Music New Brunswick, and East Coast Music Awards and she was a finalist in the folk category of the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest.  Rhaye has also gained acclaim as a uniquely talented songwriter co-written with a variety of well-known Canadian tunesmiths, including Royal Wood, Matt Andersen, Ken Tobias, and Ron Sexsmith, and has performed at premier events such as the Stan Rogers and Mariposa Folk Festivals, among many others.

Come celebrate and enjoy a great evening of music with Jessica Rhaye & The Ramshackle Parade as they perform cuts from Sunshine Baby, Just Like a Woman – Songs of Bob Dylan, and from Jessica’s solo catalogue.

What promoters are saying about Jessica Rhaye & The Ramshackle Parade:

“Thank you, Jessica and band, for an amazing show, one of our best this year.”

Evergreen Theatre

“Jessica and the band sounded fantastic.”

 NAC Fourth Stage

“Great concert, the audience loved every minute of it.”

Lansdowne Concert Promotions

Sep 30
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Imperial Theatre

onsale: Friday, May 19

“I’m opening doors for you – walk through them.”
-Stevie Ray Vaughan

From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James still remembers those words of advice given to him by the late, great, Stevie Ray Vaughan.Colin James has taken those words to heart. His career has spanned over 30 years, with a track record that includes20studio albums,8Juno Awards, 29Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales. His latest 2021 release, Open Road, is a celebration of personal connections. It includes original tunes written with long time collaborators such asColin Linden, Craig Northey and Tom Wilson and reinterpretations of covers by a diverse group of songwriters including Bob Dylan, Albert King, Tony Joe White and others.His 2018 album Miles To Go garnered worldwide attention, debuting on the Billboard BluesCharts and holding a position on the RMR Blues Chart for 24 weeks, 14 weeks in the top10. He continues to sell out shows across Canada with over 80,000 tickets sold on tours over the past 3 years. Colin was inducted into the Canadian MusicIndustryHall of Fame in2013.Looking back over Colin’s career, it’s a timeline rich in highlights. His 1988 self-titled debut, featuring his two self-penned hits “Voodoo Thing” and “Five Long Years,” was the fastest-selling album in Canadian history. It won him his first Juno and an opening spot on tour withKeith Richards. His second album,SuddenStop, featured his hit “Just Came Back,” which reached #3 on the U.S. radio charts and earned him the Juno Award for “Single of theYear.” Colin was next credited with launching the swing revival, thanks to his wildly popularLittle Big Band, which has released four successful albums to date.

However, it wasn’t until 2016’s Blue High ways that James found himself on a blues chart:the album spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart. It also landed him one of his biggest hits: “Riding in the Moonlight,” a Willie Dixon song that garnered millions of streams on Spotify.Over the years Colin has worked with some of the world’s most revered artists including,Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Pops Staples, Robert Cray, Albert King, Keith Richards, Lenny Kravitz, ZZ Top, Mavis Staples, Luther Allison, Roomful of Blues, Bobby King andTerry Evans, John Hammond Jr., The Chieftains, Carlos Santana, Little Feat, Johnny Hallyday, Jeff Healey, and Buddy Guy.In addition to his own recording and touring Colin isa prolific songwriter, his music has been recorded by the likes of Maria Muldaur,  Johnny Hallyday and Lucinda Williams.Colin has set the bar for consistency and talent in Canadian music and even after20acclaimed albums remains at the top of his game, always challenging himself musically. A consummate professional and a superb guitarist, Colin is a musician’s, musician. The confidence that comes with maturity can be heard in his voice and seen in his electrifying stage performance. He does what comes naturally–he always has–he knows no other way and no other life.

Oct 6
Friday | 8:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

Whitney Cummings is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur, and host of the hit podcast “Good for You.” Launched in 2019, “Good For You” is self-produced and features conversations with Whitney’s friends, fellow comedians, and experts in a variety of fields, including neuroscience, veterinary medicine, and magic.

Best known for creating and starring in the NBC series “Whitney,” Whitney is also the co-creator and co-writer of the syndicated Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series “2 Broke Girls.” She has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and stand-up specials, including her fifth stand up special, “Whitney Cummings: JOKES” which was released on Netflix in July 2022. On the big screen, Whitney was last seen in the Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun comedy “Good Mourning” and the Foo Fighters’ horror-comedy “Studio 666.” Other recent film credits include “How It Ends,” “The Opening Act,” and the forthcoming “At Midnight” from director Jonah Feingold. On television, Whitney will next be seen leading an episode of “Accused,” the forthcoming FOX/Sony TV anthology drama series from Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and David Shore. Whitney also recently received praise for her week-long guest hosting stint on “The Wendy Williams Show” in October 2021. Other notable TV appearances include “Tacoma FD,” “Workaholics,” “Crashing,” “Undateable,” and the Comedy Central Roasts, which have solidified her presence in comedy television. In 2017 she published her memoir titled “I’m Fine … And Other Lies.”

That same year, Whitney made her directorial debut with the feature adaptation of Louann Brizendine’s best-seller, “The Female Brain.” Following the success of her sold out “Codependent Tour,” Whitney just wrapped the “Touch Me Tour,” her stand-up comedy theater tour spanning 75+ cities across North America. She can currently be seen on her “I Club You Tour” while working on material for a new theatre tour in 2023.

Whitney’s new roast series on OFTV will premiere in early 2023 and will feature the celebrated roast format with a behind the scenes look at what is involved in crafting jokes in the writer’s room. Confirmed roastees of honor for the first two episodes of the series include Whitney Cummings and Bert Kreischer.

Oct 7
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Imperial Theatre

Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore just released the title track off his forthcoming fifth studio album DAMN LOVE, available on April 28.  Co-written and co-produced by Moore and Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), the thirteen track collection is emotionally raw and thick with epiphany. Moore’s DAMN LOVE WORLD TOUR just commenced with Moore playing headlining shows in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, The U.K. and Europe, many of which are already sold-out in advance. Known as “one of country’s more thoughtful artists” (Billboard), Moore has toured the world earning acclaim and a rabid fanbase as an all-in performer in each setting, consistently selling out headlining shows internationally with huge followings in The U.S, The U.K, Europe, Australia and Canada.

Praised by Noisey as “an uncompromising, genre-defying artist firing on all cylinders” Moore has blazed his own trail, with “a bit more Southern rock than traditional country… to be a Kip Moore fan suddenly became a marker of your having a certain refinement in your country-music taste” (Chicago Tribune). Moore first splashed into the mainstream with the double-PLATINUM “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” in 2012, then followed up with three more best selling No. Ones (“Hey Pretty Girl,” “Beer Money” and “More Girls Like You”), a trio of ambitious, critically-praised albums and two gritty EPs that landed Moore on multiple “Best Of” lists. Moore garnered resounding acclaim for his fourth studio album, WILD WORLD. The set, co-written and co-produced by Moore, was spotlighted by critics as “especially vital; occasionally, even rare,” (Esquire). For more information visit kipmoore.net, and follow Moore on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Oct 8
Sunday | 8:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

Intergenerational circus with lots to say: the personal is political, fury is fun and the acrobatics downright dangerous – especially when life gets in the way. Casting off stereotypes, these dynamic Australian women tumble, talk, fly, and balance precariously. A disarming, hilarious show about living on the edge and talking about it; and how it’s easier done than said. Circus that makes you laugh and cry simultaneously! Relaxed, personal and fantastically inappropriate.

A Good Catch makes arthouse circus with a devising and democratic process. They experiment with circus structures with a feminist tone and a proactive attitude. They formed in 2017 creating Bridges for the Mullumbimby Circus Festival followed by Casting Off for the Circus Oz Sidesault at the Melba experimental circus festival. Casting Off has since performed at Edinburgh, Adelaide and Melbourne Fringe Festivals, Bondi Feast and WA Circus Festival. Casting Off has won three fringe awards including The BankSA Best Circus & Physical Theatre Award – Adelaide 2019 The Total Theatre & Jacksons Lane Award for Best Circus at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018, and Best Circus at Melbourne Fringe 2018. They find joy in each other’s strengths, challenges and weaknesses, and in support of new possibilities.

Duration: 60 minutes

Oct 13
Friday | 7:30 PM
Imperial Theatre

with Opening act Kellie Loder

Donovan Woods was in on the joke when he named his latest release. Riffing on a lyric from a Martin Simpson song (“Never Any Good”), Big Hurt Boy is a six-song exploration of how our failures — and our fixations on them — not only shape but enlighten us.

“I write about them again and again, just hoping people will still be interested,” the acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter says. “So the title is poking fun of myself, that I’m theoretically this big sad guy who keeps getting dumped and writing fucking songs about it.”

Or you could think of it this way: Woods’ deep curiosity about the human condition is why we so clearly hear our own stories in his. The details differ, the characters change, but at their core, Donovan Woods songs are for and about everyone.

That’s particularly apparent on his new EP, which will be released March 18, 2022. Trying to capture more of an “undone” quality, Woods wanted his latest songs to “get back to the feeling that my early recordings had.” You hear that in the spare, subtle ache of “No Time Soon,” an acoustic monologue Woods describes as “the story of my whole life.”

I am a frightened rabbit
Running off a map
Only loved you out of habit
I ain’t proud of that
But while I do the dishes
I hum a little tune
Someday, no time soon

“These are smaller, less polished songs than the ones I’ve been putting out recently,” says Woods, winner of the 2019 Juno Award for contemporary roots album (for Both Ways) and whose global streams have surpassed 210 million.

Still, Big Hurt Boy brims with some of the luminous production touches Woods has been adding to this repertoire lately. He wrote the album opener, “I Won’t Mention It Again,” on banjo, which fades into a spectral backdrop of electronic textures and layers of lush harmonies.

A co-write with Peter Groenwald, “Leave When You Go” simmers with an R&B vibe backed by sensuous vocals from indie-pop artist Ralph. “A Picture of Us Smiling at a Party Five Years Ago,” which reunites Woods with Katie Pruitt (who co-wrote and sang on Woods’ “She Waits for Me to Come Back Down”), untangles how our memories are often preserved by photos. “It’s about nostalgia, which is just a memory that doesn’t have any of the stress or dread or anxiety that the real-time experience had,” Woods says.

“I Hope You Change Your Mind,” co-written with David Hodges, is such an understated tearjerker that you don’t even realize the relationship is over until the last line. “That song is about that back-end portion of a relationship when everyone knows the score but no one wants to say it,” Woods says. “It’s loving someone so much that you’re not sure how to be mad at them, so you twist yourself into knots.”

Big Hurt Boy is the follow-up to 2020’s Without People, Woods’ celebrated album he made in isolation at the height of the pandemic. Whereas those songs were recorded in a makeshift studio at his Toronto home, with collaborators working remotely, his latest release harnesses the electricity of a roomful of musicians laying down tracks live in the studio, a first for Woods.

Released on Wood’s Meant Well label, Without People was acclaimed as “a nuanced experience” (American Songwriter) and a thoughtful exploration of “fleeting interpersonal moments now under the microscope” (NPR/KUTX). So much of that album’s allure was rooted in how Woods connected with his collaborators and imparted the intimacy so many of us craved during a global health crisis. It was so successful, in fact, that it led to a deluxe edition of Without People in 2021.

As an in-demand songwriter whose work has been recorded by the likes of Tim McGraw (“Portland, Maine”) and Lady A’s Charles Kelley (“Leaving Nashville”), Woods has been venturing beyond the singer-songwriter scene where he first cut his teeth. Equally at home in folk and country, he has worked with songwriters such as Tom Douglas, Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark, Ashley Monroe, Dustin Christensen, Femke Weidema, Steve Robson, and Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies).

Woods’ featured vocals on Dabin & Nurko’s “When This Is Over” veered into anthemic dance pop, and yet Woods still sounded right at home. On “IOWA,” Woods found a kindred spirit in Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan for a pastoral meditation on dreaming of a place you know doesn’t exist.

Each of these collaborations has highlighted a budding truth about Woods: As respected as he is as a solo artist, he’s evolving and upending our expectations of how his music sounds. His songs have grown more dimensional, emboldened by new sonic landscapes, reminding us that classic songwriting transcends genre.

Oct 14
Saturday | 7:30 PM
Imperial Theatre

“50s & 60s Jukebox Musical Concert with a Broadway feel with Band, Singers, Dancing, Tributes, Video and Trivia”  A one of a kind show that takes the audience through Music History, Trivia & Memories.

***58 STANDING OVATIONS in a row***Sold out Shows***Grandma wants to party after watching this show***
Millennials buy tickets to this show for your parents and grandparents. They will have a blast with memories.

A one of a kind show that takes the audience through Music History, Trivia & Memories of the 50s & 60s. You will learn many things you never knew about these artists. You will see an energetic band, amazing frontline singers and dancers transforming and re-living through two decades of music, costumes, trends and dancing along with informative video imagery in the background.

Performing HITS from Roy Orbison,  Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Patti Page, Dean Martin, Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Rolling Stones, Steppenwolf, Led Zeppelin, The Platters, Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis, Paul Anka, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, Connie Francis, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Dion, The Chordettes, Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, The Four Seasons, The Beatles, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, The Shirelles, The Righteous Brothers, The Marvelettes, The Angles, Nancy Sinatra, The Ronettes, The Ventures, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, and more….

The audience will see silhouettes of a band onstage, video will roll in the background with the big voice guy narrator describing trivia about the upcoming artist or song without mentioning the names.  There will be a pause. The audience is encouraged to shout out their guess of what song is coming up.  Let the party begin.

We sorted through 20 years of over a thousand songs into one show. The main criteria was to trim it to hit songs that are still relevant and memorable to this day. We made our pick of songs that we feel will never get old.

“Relive The Music 50’s & 60’s Show” features and uses a rotating team of cast members

Oct 15
Sunday | 7:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

Formerly: SNB: “It’s About Romance”

World-renown violinist Adrian Anantawan dazzles with Bruch’s seductive Violin Concerto while the orchestra charms the heart with Brahms’ beautiful second symphony

Le violoniste de renommée mondiale Adrian Anantawan est extraordinaire dans le séduisant concerto pour violon de Bruch et l’orchestre charmera tous les cœurs avec la magnifique deuxième symphonie de Brahms.

Featured Guest:

Adrian Anantawan: https://www.adriananantawan.com/

Oct 16
Monday | 7:30 PM
Imperial Theatre

Rating: PG-13 | 1 hour 44 mins | English

Do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.

 

Oct 17
Tuesday | 7:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

With unprecedented access to the MUCHMusic archives, 299 Queen Street West tells the story of a scrappy television upstart from the perspective of the VJs. At the time, they had no prior TV hosting experience, were given no scripts, no direction and went live to air across the country.  Following the screening there will be an Intimate and Interactive with MUCHMusic VJs from the film.

Oct 18
Wednesday | 7:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

“Legends Show” brings you some of North America’s most outstanding performers live on stage. Accompanied by the Rockin’ Royals Band and The Tonettes, this show will feature the most incredible Tributes to Roy Orbison (Jesse Aron), Connie Francis (Amberley Beatty),  the music of Motown (The Tonettes), and Elvis Presley (Pete Paquette).

Roy Orbison: Jesse Aron, who hails from the state of Wisconsin, is recognized as one of USA’s top Roy Orbison tribute performers. With his effortless voice and uncanny resemblance to Roy, Jesse will take you back in time with such hits as Crying, Pretty Woman, Only The Lonely, Blue Angel, and many more of your favourites.

Oct 19
Thursday | 7:00 PM
Imperial Theatre

Discover the many ways you can support the Imperial Theatre.

Donors come in all shapes and sizes. They are Imperial Friends:

  • A Friend who Makes an Annual Donation
  • A Friend who provides funding for our Free School Shows and March Break Movies
  • A Friend who is a Family Foundation
  • A Friend who is a Live Music Fan and wants to see new artists each year
  • A Corporate Friend who supports the arts
  • A Friend who would like to see our cultural and heritage building remain for future generations.

Thank you for being an Imperial Friend!

 

For all of the reasons and for all of the wonderful people and companies we are grateful and humbled by your generosity.

Thank You!