Travelling Mabels to make stop in Strathmore

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

The Travelling Mabels are returning to Strathmore this month to share their signature harmonies, humour, and holiday warmth. 

The beloved Alberta group will perform at the Strathmore United Church on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. as part of the Arts on 817 Concert Series.

“This isn’t our first time in Strathmore,” said Keith Floen of The Travelling Mabels. “We’ve been there before, a few different venues, wonderful Strathmore.

“There will be obviously Christmas music, a little bit of original written Christmas music, but a lot of classics and a lot of deep dive songs that you may not expect.”

The creative process for putting together a seasonal show is a team effort. 

“We all individually have a wide range of material that we can choose from,” he said. “We look for music that might suit our voices individually and that we can put a Mabel’s harmony spin on – and there it is. Maybe a little bit of humour, definitely some humour.”

That humour, he said with a laugh, is part of what makes their shows memorable. 

“I mean, I’m a knucklehead in my own right,” he joked.

The group will be joined by a guest electric guitar player for this show. 

“His name is John,” Floen shared. “All the Christmas shows will have John on them for the most part.”

The Mabels’ Christmas performances are quickly becoming a fan favourite. 

“It’s busy, it’s good, you know, it’s picking up steam,” Floen said. “They’re becoming popular. The dates are starting to sell out already. And it’s just been so much fun. We love doing the Christmas shows. Creatively, they’re so much fun and it’s great for the audience.”

Performing in small communities is something the group treasures. 

“We absolutely love the small communities,” Floen said. “You just meet such wonderful people, you know, and that’s the heartbeat of the country, the people that you don’t realize are the glue that’s keeping everything together.”

That sense of community connection will be highlighted even more this year with a special opening act: Santa’s Songbirds, seven students from local music teacher Ally Brigley Music Studio, who will take the stage ahead of the Mabels.

For Brigley, it’s an exciting first. 

“No, I’ve never done anything like this with Arts on 817 before,” she said. “Carolyn Steeves (Artistic Director of the Arts on 817) asked if I would have any students who might be interested in opening for the show. They like to have local musicians be the opening act, and I was really enthusiastic to be a part of it.”

Brigley will bring seven students, ranging in age from 12 to 23. 

“We’ve had a fun range of girls that I know would feel confident and prepared,” she said. “I thought it would be cool to showcase all ages of students who are passionate about music in Strathmore.”

The group is preparing a diverse Christmas-themed set. 

“We’re doing some rock, we’re doing some country, we’re doing some traditional, and we’re doing some Michael Bublé versions of traditional,” Brigley said. “We have a really cool variety.”

Her students, she said, feel a mix of nerves and excitement. 

“I think quite a few of them are a little nervous,” she admitted. “I try to tell them it’s just like a recital that we do with our studio. It’s in the same venue, probably the same amount of people, with girls they know. But opening for a ‘real’ band can be really intimidating. So, I think there’s some excitement and some nerves.”

Brigley hopes the community will come out to support both the students and the visiting artists. 

“That’s what this is all about,” she said. “Come and see the students, the local talent, and come and see this awesome talent that’s coming in. The Travelling Mabels are great.”

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.smoreuc.com or in person from The Vault Cultural Collective.