2025-26 Season
Lonesome Ace Stringband
Foothills Bluegrass Music Society presents our first concert of the Fall 2025 season:
Lonesome Ace Stringband live at Festival Hall (1215 10 Ave SE, Calgary, AB)! Please note that this show will be at Festival Hall, not the Irish Cultural Centre.
Join us Friday, October 24, 2025. Doors open at 7:00PM, show starts at 7:30PM.
The Lonesome Ace Stringband bring grit, skill and abandon to a music that lurks on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk. The songs of John Hartford, Hank Williams, Dock Boggs, and The Band share space with the fiddle tunes of Eck Robertson and Ed Haley. Their original songs and tunes take in all these vistas and paint something both personal and timely.
Consisting simply of fiddle (John Showman), clawhammer banjo (Chris Coole), bass, and voice, the band moves freely between a sound so commanding it doesn’t seem like it could come from a trio to a sparse fragility that draws the listener closer.
The Western Thistles
Foothills Bluegrass Music Society presents: The Western Thistles live at The Irish Cultural Society in Bowness (6452 35 Ave NW, Calgary AB)!
Join us Saturday, November 29, 2025. Doors open at 7:00PM, show starts at 7:30PM.
Blending old-time roots with modern-day storytelling, The Western Thistles are an Edmonton folk duo known for their clawhammer banjo, rhythm guitar, and rich vocal harmonies. Formed in 2023, the group was born from the musical connection between Mark Boer and Sabrina (Bri) Huot, who came together to weld their talents for the sake of the song. Together, they create a distinct sonic tapestry rooted in folk, old-time, and country music.
In 2025, The Western Thistles released their self-titled debut album—a raw, live-off-the-floor recording co-produced, mixed, and mastered by renowned producer Miles Wilkinson (Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Darrell Scott). The album debuted at #7 on CKUA’s Top 30 chart and stands as a testament to their commitment to crafting songs with heart, grit, and intention.
As multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, The Western Thistles channel their lived experiences into music that’s both raw and resonant. Their sound reflects the rhythms of everyday life and aims to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who lend an ear. For them, creating music is more than a passion—it’s a way of preserving the art of storytelling through song.
Regular Jam Session
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Irish Cultural Centre
6452 - 35 Ave NW
Traditional and contemporary bluegrass jam, bring your songs and instrumental tunes. Acoustic instruments only, with exception for electric bass, no percussion. Bluegrass adjacent styles such as old-time, classic country and folk music (typically in a bluegrass style) may creep in later in the evening…
September through June, except between Christmas and New Years.
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