Our Live Events season runs from August to September each year, don’t miss out on our amazing shows!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Steve Poltz - a wildly entertaining songwriter whose concerts feel equal parts folk show, comedy set, and joyful musical chaos. A veteran troubadour known for his razor-sharp observations, masterful guitar work, and completely unpredictable live performances, Poltz turns every show into a one-of-a-kind experience. With stories that make you laugh out loud and songs that sneak in surprising truth and heart, he brings an infectious energy that leaves audiences smiling long after the encore. Whether he’s delivering intimate acoustic moments or launching into spontaneous crowd interaction, Steve Poltz is a live phenomenon best experienced in person
Seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winners and five-time JUNO nominees, the Andrew Collins Trio brings an electrifying evening of genre-blending acoustic roots music to the Empress Theatre. Fusing folk, bluegrass, jazz, and chambergrass with dazzling musicianship and soaring harmonies, Andrew Collins, Adam Shier, and James McEleney create a live performance that is both deeply engaging and wildly entertaining. Whether you are a longtime folk fan or simply love exceptional live music, this is a concert experience not to be missed.
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
New Music LAB invites audiences into a vibrant world of contemporary sound, where classical traditions are brought to life through bold new forms of musical expression. Listen to musical artists who have followed the trails to Southern Alberta from across Canada to premiere newly written music – Made in Canada!
Come take part! Beginning at 5:30 PM, in front of the Empress, the streets of downtown Fort Macleod will come alive to the outdoor music and dance of Drum Grid: A Sonic Journey with A’sitapiiksi. Drumming, performed by the Coaldale Prairie Winds Drumline.
As one dance concludes in one location, another begins. Follow the drumline and dancers through the streets, returning to the Empress and the renowned hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche.
Stay with us for an unforgettable evening concert, starting at 7:00 PM, at the Empress Theatre!
Step into a time machine and relive the magic of the swinging 60's with Calgary's premier Beatles tribute band! All You Need Is Love - A Tribute to The Fab Four offers an authentic homage to the greatest band of all time. They captivate audiences with the remarkable musical energy and the infectious wit and humor that cemented The Beatles as legendary icons. The performance begins in 1964 and continues until 1969. It will captivate you with the band's hit songs and the lively banter among the members and with the audience, which made their shows so delightful to watch.
Canadian songwriter Zachary Lucky is known for his timeless blend of folk, country, and roots music. Raised in Saskatchewan and carrying on the musical legacy of his grandfather, country music pioneer Smilin' Johnnie Lucky, he writes songs rooted in place, memory, and the quiet resilience of everyday life.
With a warm baritone voice and evocative storytelling that have drawn comparisons to Gordon Lightfoot and Kris Kristofferson, Lucky has spent more than 15 years building a devoted international following. A tireless touring artist, he has performed across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan, appearing at major folk festivals at home and abroad.
His latest album, The Wind (2024), earned widespread critical acclaim, surpassed half a million streams within months of its release, and further established Zachary Lucky as one of Canada's most compelling contemporary troubadours
Internationally acclaimed Australian blues artist Lloyd Spiegel brings over three decades of world-class musicianship to the Empress stage. Known for his fiery guitar work, powerful vocals, and deeply personal storytelling, Spiegel blends blues, roots, and soul into performances that are both electrifying and deeply moving. A multiple award-winning performer with a reputation for captivating live shows, Lloyd Spiegel delivers an unforgettable evening of music filled with passion, humour, and extraordinary talent.
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
Step into the Empress Theatre for a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration featuring the captivating sounds of Little Miss Higgins. Presented in partnership with Heritage Acres Farm Museum, this special evening invites guests to dress up, embrace the spirit of the season, and enjoy an unforgettable performance from one of Canada's most distinctive roots artists.
With a voice full of character and songs steeped in early country blues, jazz, and folk traditions, Little Miss Higgins creates music that feels both timeless and completely her own. For more than 20 years, she has delighted audiences with her warm storytelling, soulful performances, and theatrical approach to songwriting. Expect an evening filled with vintage charm, prairie heart, haunting melodies, and plenty of Halloween magic. Costumes are encouraged—come celebrate, get creative, and enjoy a night where music and imagination meet.
Experience the Second Annual One-Act Play Festival, featuring short plays by theatre-makers from across the region — from comedy to drama and everything in between. Non-adjudicated and all about the love of theatre, the festival celebrates creativity, collaboration, and fresh voices. And when the curtain closes, the conversation begins: meet the performers and directors, share your thoughts, ask questions, and discover the stories behind the stories.
Come for the plays. Stay for the conversation. Celebrate theatre with us!
Note: One day is $15, $25 for both days! Discount automatically applied at checkout if purchasing tickets for both days. To add the second day to your order, follow “CONTINUE SHOPPING” located on the left hand side.
Secondhand Dreamcar delivers a dynamic live performance of soaring melodies, driving rhythms, and emotionally charged storytelling. Their debut album Answer the Call was nominated for the 2025 JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year and earned three Canadian Blues Music Award nominations, establishing the band as a rising force in the Canadian music scene. On stage, they balance intimate moments with powerful anthems, creating an immersive concert experience that resonates long after the final note.
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
CCMA-winning Canadian country stars George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett bring their Cowboy Christmas Tour to the Empress Theatre on December 13.
Enjoy an evening of chart-topping country hits, beloved Christmas classics, and holiday cheer from two of Canada's most celebrated country artists.
Tickets officially on sale September 12th through our ticketing page!
Like a summer wind’s last ride through fall’s first turn, Moranz & Fremlin stand at the edge of tradition and time. This Canadiana and bluegrass duo—multi-instrumentalist Ryland Moranz and mandolin virtuoso Dan Fremlin—blend original songwriting with traditional acoustic forms, creating music that feels both timeless and immediate.
For Ryland Moranz, this story carries a personal resonance—having grown up in the local community and worked within the Empress Theatre in his youth, his return to this stage adds a meaningful layer to an already evocative collaboration. Together, Moranz & Fremlin bring rich instrumentation, expressive storytelling, and a deep respect for acoustic heritage to audiences across Canada and beyond, including their debut album Williwaw (Tonic Records, 2026).
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
Shane Pendergast has folk music in his blood. Hailing from a long lineage of storytellers and musicians on Prince Edward Island, he carries the Maritime folk tradition forward through honest, insightful songwriting rooted in place and lived experience.
From intimate halls across PEI to celebrated folk festivals around the world, Pendergast has earned a reputation as one of Atlantic Canada’s finest folk troubadours. His 2021 album Second Wind (Music PEI Contemporary Roots Album of the Year), 2023 live release The House Before the Bridge (East Coast Music Award nomination), and 2025 album Winter Grace reflect a body of work shaped by reflection, nature, and the Maritime landscape.
Through evocative storytelling and intricate guitar work, Shane Pendergast captures the essence of life in the Maritimes, weaving themes of community, history, and nature into every performance.
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
Don Burnstick is coming to the Empress Theatre!
Join the Wellness Living Society for a special evening with one of Canada’s best-known Indigenous comedians, storytellers, and entertainers. Don brings his unique blend of humour, life experience, and storytelling to the stage for an evening that promises plenty of laughs and memorable moments.
This special performance is also a fundraiser supporting the Wellness Living Society and its initiatives. By attending, you’re not only in for a great night of entertainment—you’re helping support the important work happening in our community.
Gather your friends and family and come enjoy an evening of laughter while supporting a great cause.
Don Burnstick Live at the Empress Theatre — we can’t wait to see you there!
Danny Michel is what happens when genre refuses to behave. Rock, pop, folk, world, and classical influences all find their place in a body of work shaped by curiosity, humour, and deeply human storytelling. With multiple JUNO nominations, Polaris Prize recognition, and awards for his boundary-pushing creativity, Michel has built a career defined by fearless musical exploration.
From recording with The Garifuna Collective in Belize to creating music aboard a Soviet-era icebreaker in the Arctic alongside astronaut Chris Hadfield, his work reflects a rare sense of adventure and connection to the world. Albums like Matadora, Khlebnikov, and Ghost Town explore themes of humanity, environment, and vulnerability, revealing an artist unafraid to follow inspiration wherever it leads.
On stage, Danny Michel is equal parts storyteller, musician, and explorer—bringing warmth, wit, and wonder to every performance.
PACKAGE DEAL TO SEE ALL SIX SHOWS IN THE CENTER STAGE SERIES
ONLY AVALIBLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026
