KITCHENER — Centre in the Square’s seventh annual On Stage Series begins with a musical valentine from Alfie Zappacosta.
The Edmonton-based singer/songwriter performs an intimate, cabaret-style concert Feb. 11.
Zappacosta defies musical genres. Acknowledged as a triple threat as a songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, his music spans rock, pop, smooth jazz and adult contemporary formats.
He promises to deliver a romantic evening of original songs and covers of classics in keeping with Valentine’s Day.
The two-time Juno winner wrote Overload for the Dirty Dancing movie soundtrack in addition to such chart-toppers as Nothing Can Stand in Your Way, Passion, When I Fall in Love Again and We Should Be Lovers.
He has released four albums including Innocence Ballet, Dark Sided Jewel, Start Again and Bona fide!
The On Stage series continues April 22 with Vancouver singer/songwriter John Mann.
A founding member of Spirit of the West, Mann has been balancing a band career with a solo career since 2002. He’s also been moonlighting as an actor.
Known as the performance piston that drives the venerable West Coast folk rockers, Mann’s solo songwriting and performances differ from the work he has done in a band setting for more than two decades.
His two solo albums, December Looms and Acoustic Kitty, reflect the more contemplative side of his alt-folk roots.
The final concert in the On Stage series is the annual Songwriters’ Circle.
On May 20 three longtime, musical friends will gather to share stories, talk about their music and perform original songs solo as well as together.
The three singer/songwriters are Gwen Swick and Cindy Church, who are members of Quartette, along with Halifax artist Susan Crowe.
Swick, Church and Crowe are accomplished songwriters and solo vocalists, but they create sonic magic when they sing together.
Crowe has released five albums including Greytown, Book of Days, A Pilgrim’s Mirror, The Door to the River and This Far From Home.
Church has released three albums including Love on the Range, Just a Little Rain and Cindy Church.
Swick, who performed with the late acoustic folk trio Tamarack before joining Quartette, has released three albums including Gwen Swick, A Pebble of Mercy and Love and Gold.
This will be the second time this spring local music fans will get to see Swick. On April 10, the Elora-based artist appears at Folk Night at the Registry with The Marigolds, consisting of Quartette companion Caitlin Hanford and Suzie Vinnick.
The On Stage series has limited seating because the concerts take place on the Centre in the Square stage. Performers have their backs to the auditorium while patrons sit at small tables, cabaret style. It makes for intimate evening and gives patrons an up-close-and-personal musical experience.
Past performers include Justin Hines, Jill Barber, Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Matt Anderson, Laura Smith, Connie Kaldor, Madviolet, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Garnet Rogers and local artists Shannon Lyon, Rob Szabo and Danny Michel, among others.
rreid@therecord.com
Centre in the Square — On Stage Series
Feb. 11: Alfie Zappacosta
April 22: John Mann
May 20: Songwriters’ Circle with Gwen Swick, Cindy Church and Susan Crowe
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets ($35 per concert or series special for $79) at 519-578-1570 or online at www.centre-square.com
