Alberta
Track on 2 showcases Clayton Bellamy, Dan Davidson, and Maddison Krebs at the first “Stillhouse Songwriter Sessions” Jan. 15th
Edmonton, AB — In a new partnership that will create more opportunities for entertainment in Central Alberta, The Track on 2 and Trixstar are pleased to announce that Trixstar has been contracted to act as an entertainment consultant for the Track on 2 Horse Racing and Event Centre in Lacombe, Alberta.
Beginning January 15, 2020 The Track on 2 Event Centre will host a weekly Songwriters Series featuring local, regional and national level artists. Creating a special experience for both artists and fans, the listening room atmosphere will host 3-4 artists each week with a focus on the craft of songwriting and the stories that go along with it.
Plans are also in the works for various outdoor concerts, comprehensive race day programming and various other community events.
Set in an intimate listening room atmosphere that will create a unique experience for both artists and all those attending, The Track on 2 Stillhouse Sessions will focus on the craft of songwriting and the stories that go along with it. What you will experience here is a listening room. Talking is encouraged before the show, between sets, during intermission, and after the show but during the performances, audience members are asked to keep their voices low and talking to a minimum.
MEET THE SONGWRITERS
CLAYTON BELLAMY has won many awards including a Juno for Best Country Recording, a five time Canadian Country Music Award winner Canadian Country Music Awards, and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year award. Clayton has dominated the stage performing at the Grand Ole Opry has been featured in People Magazine The New York Times and Rolling Stone and even performed for President Carter. He has released five solo studio records and has had songs recorded by Big Sugar Matt Anderson Grady Dan Davidson Jason Blaine W3apons FKB Willie Mack and many more. Bellamy is also one of the three members of the group The Road Hammers, which has released four studio albums, in addition to charting twelve singles in Canada with two number one singles and two in the United States
DAN DAVIDSON has created undeniable momentum in the last few years. With 3 CCMA nomination, 10 ACMA awards, a gold record, a number 1 selling Canadian song, top 20 charting numbers and over 100 performances this year – its easy to forget that he is still a new face on the scene. Dan exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 with the release of his second single “Found” (Co-written by Clayton Bellamy). Dan became arguably the indie story of 2016/2017 as his single “Found” rocketed up the charts and he became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. It was also the #1 selling Canadian country song for several weeks in July and August 2016. On just his second release ever in country music – he has a GOLD single. The following singles “Barn Burner”, “Say We Did”, and “Lets Go There” helped further his momentum with more top 20 recognition and solidified his name as an artist on the rise – definitely someone to watch.
MADDISON KREBS- The singer/songwriter from Okotoks Alberta, Canada, got her first guitar when she was six, so she could put her poetry to music. Right away, you could see her talents and drive would make her dreams come true. She dreamed of having a publishing and record deal by 2016; that’s the year she had won the ‘On the Spot Contest’ with Ole. She dreamed of moving to Nashville to pursue her career by 2018; that’s the year she moved to Music City. In Nashville, she finds herself working with some of music’s best producers and songwriters, such as Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks) and Tony Martin (Tim McGraw, Keith Urban). POP DUST says, “Maddison Krebs has one of those voices you listen to and instantly feel like you’ve known her your whole life.” Maddison’s brand new self-titled EP is now available everywhere. Beginning January 15, 2020 The Track on 2 Event Centre will host a weekly Songwriters Series featuring local, regional and national level artists. Creating a special experience for both artists and fans, the listening room atmosphere will host 3-4 artists each week with a focus on the craft of songwriting and the stories that go along with it.
Plans are also in the works for various outdoor concerts, comprehensive race day programming and various other community events.
“We are thrilled to bring the expertise and professionalism of Trixstar on board. They share the same passion for live events as we do and see the full potential of our property as more than just a race track. They also understand our commitment to the community and will help foster that partnership.”, says Kurt Belich co-owner of The Track on 2.
“Kurt, Kyla and Ross are exceptional leaders in their industry. We are excited at the opportunity to work with their talented team and create an entertainment destination at The Track on 2. Their vision will no doubt enhance the community and region.”, says Trixstar’s Chris Melnychuk.
About Trixstar
Founded in 2005 and with offices in Nashville, Edmonton and Calgary, Trixstar is a 360-degree live event management & consultation firm that activates both city and rural markets with festivals, concerts, brand activations as well as celebrity and speaker events. Working alongside organizations that want to create brand awareness, generate excitement and raise funds through impactful events and unique experiences. www.trixstar.com
About The Track on 2
The Track on 2 is a horse racing & event centre located just outside of Lacombe, Alberta on the QEII Highway. The racetrack has a one mile dirt track and the only 7/8 mile turf track in Western Canada. The facility includes a large grandstand, a riding arena and a number of stables. Open year round, the facility is also home to an amazing restaurant, The Funky Monkey Kitchen + Bar featuring famous Chef Pete Sok and has a simulcast room streaming international races as well as a VLT lounge. The Track is locally owned and operated by couple Kurt & Kyla Belich and their business partner Ross Morrison. A schedule of all upcoming events can be found at thetrackon2.com
Doors 6:00 PM, Show 7:00 PM, Tickets $5.00
TICKETS & ADMISSION
As a capacity crowd is expected for opening night on January 15, 2020 all attendees must have a ticket available through Eventbrite to ensure admittance.
COME EARLY AND JOIN US FOR A DINNER BUFFET
Dinner 530-630PM. $23/pre-purchase. $30/walk-ins.
Irish Beef & Guiness Stew
Jim Beam Bourbon Chicken
Chef’s Mashed Potatoes
Penne Primavera
Roasted Herb Seasonal Vegetables
House Salad
Assorted Dessert Squares
Read more stories on Todayville.
Alberta
Alberta government should create flat 8% personal and business income tax rate in Alberta
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
If the Smith government reversed the 2015 personal income tax rate increases and instituted a flat 8 per cent tax rate, it would help restore Alberta’s position as one of the lowest tax jurisdictions in North America
Over the past decade, Alberta has gone from one of the most competitive tax jurisdictions in North America to one of the least competitive. And while the Smith government has promised to create a new 8 per cent tax bracket on personal income below $60,000, it simply isn’t enough to restore Alberta’s tax competitiveness. Instead, the government should institute a flat 8 per cent personal and business income tax rate.
Back in 2014, Alberta had a single 10 per cent personal and business income tax rate. As a result, it had the lowest top combined (federal and provincial/state) personal income tax rate and business income tax rate in North America. This was a powerful advantage that made Alberta an attractive place to start a business, work and invest.
In 2015, however, the provincial NDP government replaced the single personal income tax rate of 10 percent with a five-bracket system including a top rate of 15 per cent, so today Alberta has the 10th-highest personal income tax rate in North America. The government also increased Alberta’s 10 per cent business income tax rate to 12 per cent (although in 2019 the Kenney government began reducing the rate to today’s 8 per cent).
If the Smith government reversed the 2015 personal income tax rate increases and instituted a flat 8 per cent tax rate, it would help restore Alberta’s position as one of the lowest tax jurisdictions in North America, all while saving Alberta taxpayers $1,573 (on average) annually.
And a truly integrated flat tax system would not only apply a uniform tax 8 per cent rate to all sources of income (including personal and business), it would eliminate tax credits, deductions and exemptions, which reduce the cost of investments in certain areas, increasing the relative cost of investment in others. As a result, resources may go to areas where they are not most productive, leading to a less efficient allocation of resources than if these tax incentives did not exist.
Put differently, tax incentives can artificially change the relative attractiveness of goods and services leading to sub-optimal allocation. A flat tax system would not only improve tax efficiency by reducing these tax-based economic distortions, it would also reduce administration costs (expenses incurred by governments due to tax collection and enforcement regulations) and compliance costs (expenses incurred by individuals and businesses to comply with tax regulations).
Finally, a flat tax system would also help avoid negative incentives that come with a progressive marginal tax system. Currently, Albertans are taxed at higher rates as their income increases, which can discourage additional work, savings and investment. A flat tax system would maintain “progressivity” as the proportion of taxes paid would still increase with income, but minimize the disincentive to work more and earn more (increasing savings and investment) because Albertans would face the same tax rate regardless of how their income increases. In sum, flat tax systems encourage stronger economic growth, higher tax revenues and a more robust economy.
To stimulate strong economic growth and leave more money in the pockets of Albertans, the Smith government should go beyond its current commitment to create a new tax bracket on income under $60,000 and institute a flat 8 per cent personal and business income tax rate.
Author:
Alberta
Province to stop municipalities overcharging on utility bills
Making utility bills more affordableAlberta’s government is taking action to protect Alberta’s ratepayers by introducing legislation to lower and stabilize local access fees. Affordability is a top priority for Alberta’s government, with the cost of utilities being a large focus. By introducing legislation to help reduce the cost of utility bills, the government is continuing to follow through on its commitment to make life more affordable for Albertans. This is in addition to the new short-term measures to prevent spikes in electricity prices and will help ensure long-term affordability for Albertans’ basic household expenses.
Local access fees are functioning as a regressive municipal tax that consumers pay on their utility bills. It is unacceptable for municipalities to be raking in hundreds of millions in surplus revenue off the backs of Alberta’s ratepayers and cause their utility bills to be unpredictable costs by tying their fees to a variable rate. Calgarians paid $240 in local access fees on average in 2023, compared to the $75 on average in Edmonton, thanks to Calgary’s formula relying on a variable rate. This led to $186 million more in fees being collected by the City of Calgary than expected.
To protect Alberta’s ratepayers, the Government of Alberta is introducing the Utilities Affordability Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. If passed, this legislation would promote long-term affordability and predictability for utility bills by prohibiting the use of variable rates when calculating municipalities’ local access fees. Variable rates are highly volatile, which results in wildly fluctuating electricity bills. When municipalities use this rate to calculate their local access fees, it results in higher bills for Albertans and less certainty in families’ budgets. These proposed changes would standardize how municipal fees are calculated across the province, and align with most municipalities’ current formulas.
If passed, the Utilities Affordability Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 would prevent municipalities from attempting to take advantage of Alberta’s ratepayers in the future. It would amend sections of the Electric Utilities Act and Gas Utilities Act to ensure that the Alberta Utilities Commission has stronger regulatory oversight on how these municipal fees are calculated and applied, ensuring Alberta ratepayer’s best interests are protected.
If passed, this legislation would also amend sections of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, the Electric Utilities Act, Government Organizations Act and the Regulated Rate Option Stability Act to replace the terms “Regulated Rate Option”, “RRO”, and “Regulated Rate Provider” with “Rate of Last Resort” and “Rate of Last Resort Provider” as applicable. Quick facts
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