Whether by horse or train, car or plane, the modern history of Alberta was built by immigrants willing to brave the desolation of a prairie winter for the promise of “acres of dreams”.

In this world premiere event, four of the province’s most talented singer-songwriters – Kris Demeanor, James Keelaghan, Wendy McNeill and Edmonton’s poet laureate Cadence Weapon – join forces with Emmy Award-winning arranger Dave Pierce and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra to craft a powerful tale of immigration in the Canadian West.

One night only!

- - -

Music from Acres of Dreams:

Enjoy these rough mixes of songs by each of the participating singer-songwriters. Please note that the orchestration is electronic - the real orchestra will sound even better!

Kris Demeanor - Deerfoot

"The Blackfoot runner after whom Deerfoot Trail was named exacts revenge from the grave on the colonists who exploited him."

James Keelaghan - Sweet Grass Moon

"I wrote this the first time i moved away from Calgary, to remind me of where i was from."

Wendy McNeill - Owl and Boy

"In this song, a troubled 8 year old boy (one of more than 100,000 British children sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939) gets some good advice and consolation from a new feathered friend."

Wendy McNeill - Strangest Weeds

Cadence Weapon - One Pound One

"One Pound One (Hudson’s Bay) is a timpani-based club anthem based on the legend of John Rowand, a chief trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company and proprietor of Fort Edmonton."

- - -

Acres of Dreams podcast:

Listen to an interview with Acres of Dreams artistic director and musician, Kris Demeanor: