RED DEER – Ignition Theatre is proud to present Pulitzer prize finalist Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries– celebrating the ten year anniversary of the provocative and controversial love story that has taken the theatre world by storm since its premiere in 2009. Performances begin January 17th and run through January 26th at the Red Deer Memorial Centre, Nickel Studio (Third Floor). Over the course of 30 years, the lives of Kayleen and Doug intersect at the most bizarre intervals, leading the two childhood friends to compare scars and the psychological calamities that keep drawing them together. “Gruesome…marks Ignition’s return to the provocative and edgy brand of theatre from which our reputation in the community was first formed.

"Gruesome…is an incredibly beautiful and complex examination of mental illness; an examination of pain, both physical and psychological, and our need to inflict pain upon others and ourselves as a means of survival. It’s a love story that desperately struggles to navigate and accept what love truly means. It’s a play full of questions, catharsis, and believe it or not, a deeply dark sense of humour.” – Matt Grue, Director, Gruesome Playground Injuries

Gruesome Playground Injuries is presented with a discretionary warning for coarse language, graphic imagery, sexuality and mature themes that may trigger those suffering from mental illness. Curtain is 7:30PM nightly. Tickets are $20.00 / $25.00 (Friday and Saturday Performances) Tickets available online and at the box office 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Robbie Burns Night traditionally commemorates the life of the bard (poet) Robert Burns. Get in touch with your inner Celt by celebrating Scotland's Bard of Ayrshire and leave with our music in your heart. Featuring violinist Kai Gleusteen.

 

Maxwell Davies' Orkney Wedding & Sunrise

Bruch's Scotch Fantasy

Lapalme's Fantasy on Scottish Folk Songs

Jann Arden will be the featured speaker when The Lending Cupboard hosts its first annual Winter Luncheon on January 28th at Red Deer’s Sheraton Hotel.

The Lending Cupboard serves more than 10,000 clients each year, many of whom are aging.  The “Winter Luncheon” is a new initiative designed to bring education and awareness to the many issues members of community face, in this case, Alzheimer’s.

Jann Arden knows all about Alzheimer’s. Here’s a link to a blogpost Arden penned earlier this year called Being With Mom, about her journey dealing with her mom’s disease.  It sets the tone for what she’ll speak to when she’s here in January. Being with Mom is a deeply personal and heartfelt story written in a voice that’s clearly Arden’s.