🌄 The Foothills Scoop

👋 Hello Neighbours!

Spring is really settling in across the Foothills this week — warmer afternoons, longer evenings, and a calendar packed with reasons to get out of the house. Whether you're craving live music, something for the kids, or just a reason to explore your community a little more deeply, this weekend delivers. We've got world-class classical musicians, a one-of-a-kind country concert in a barn, a choral tribute to Alberta weather (yes, really), and a whole lot more. Read on!

✨ In Today's Edition:

Tommy Charles, Kaylin Kowalyshyn & Toni Vere — Live at the Red Barn

If you've never been to a concert in a barn, this Sunday is your day. On April 12 at 3:00 PM, the Sheppard Family Park Red Barn — a heritage site built in 1915 — opens its doors for an afternoon of country, folk, and Americana. Headliners Tommy Charles (whose lyrical crooner's voice draws comparisons to Roy Orbison) and Kaylin Kowalyshyn (a multi-instrumentalist with shades of Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, and Shania Twain) are joined by opening act Toni Vere, a Canadian singer-songwriter rooted in folk, roots, and blues. Desserts and refreshments are included, capacity is 140, and this is a non-alcohol, family-friendly event. Doors open at 2:30 PM — don't be late.

Showcase High River Business Passport — Explore, Shop, Win

High River's month-long Showcase High River Business Passport kicks off April 10 and runs through May 10. Pick up your passport, visit participating local businesses, collect stamps, and enter to win prizes. A great excuse to discover shops and spots you haven't tried yet. Check highriver.ca/events for participating businesses and details.

Trio Fibonacci Brings World-Class Classical Music to High River

Montreal-based Trio Fibonacci — violin, cello, and piano — performs at High River United Church this Friday, April 10 at 7:30 PM, as part of the High River Gift of Music concert series' 45th season. This is the final performance of the 2025–26 season. Tickets available in person at High River United Church (123 Macleod Trail S., Mon–Thu 9am–3pm) or at the door.

🗓️ Friday, April 10

🎶 Trio Fibonacci — 7:30 PM, High River United Church, 123 Macleod Trail SW, High River. The final concert of the Gift of Music 2025–26 season featuring this acclaimed Montreal piano trio.

🎤 Live Comedy Night — Daryl Makk + Guest — 8:00 PM, Tribal Connection Market, 41 McRae St., Okotoks. A night of laughs with local and touring comics.

🥁 Drumming Circle at Sheep River Library — 7:00 PM, Sheep River Library, Diamond Valley. Chris and Don from YYC Drumming lead a monthly circle of rhythm and community — no experience required and drums are provided. Drop-ins welcome; registration recommended.

🥃 Live Music — Michael Carson — 6:00 PM, Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley. Alberta singer-songwriter Michael Carson brings his sound to Eau Claire's cozy speakeasy bar. Follow him at @MICHAEL_CARSON_MUSIC for more.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11

🎵 "Just Wait an Hour — A Tribute to Alberta Weather" — 7:00 PM, Okotoks Alliance Church, 322183 15 Street E, Okotoks. The Foothills Philharmonic Chamber Chorus performs a choral tribute to Alberta's famously unpredictable weather. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students/seniors, kids 12 & under free.

📚 "The Fort" — Krista Phillips Author Visit & Reading — 1:00–1:30 PM, Okotoks Public Library, 23 Riverside Drive, Okotoks. Local children's author Krista Phillips launches her first book with a reading, conversation, and books available for purchase. Free.

🎬 Hollywood Got It Wrong: Miss Potter — 1:15 PM (film) / 3:00 PM (talk), Sheep River Library, Diamond Valley. Publisher Margaret Curelas takes on the movie Miss Potter — what it got wrong, almost right, and anything it actually nailed. Drop-ins welcome; registration recommended.

🎯 After Hours Nerf Party — 5:30 PM, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks. Kids' evening event — call (403) 938-2220 to register.

🗓️ Sunday, April 12

🎸 High River Concert — Tommy Charles, Kaylin Kowalyshyn & Toni Vere — 3:00 PM (doors 2:30 PM), Sheppard Family Park Red Barn, High River. Country/folk/Americana afternoon with desserts and refreshments included. Non-alcohol, family-friendly. Capacity: 140. (See Spotlight above.)

🎼 Diamond Valley Singers Spring Concert — 2:00 PM, Sheep River Library, Diamond Valley. An afternoon of favourite classics with the Diamond Valley Singers, joined by special guests the Kananaskis Kids Choir. Free admission — gold coin donation welcome.

🗓️ Monday, April 13

🌿 The Living Systems Summit: From Doughnuts to Deep Roots — 6:30 PM, #4-204 Community Way, Okotoks. Multi-day community summit running April 13–15 exploring sustainable systems and community resilience. Info: (403) 938-8052.

🖼️ Art Expression (ages 5–6) — 2:00 PM, 72 North Railway Street, Okotoks. (403) 620-0510.

🗣️ Communication Confidence (ages 12-18) — 4:30 PM, 72 North Railway Street, Okotoks. (403) 508-0436.

🗓️ Tuesday, April 14

👴 Age-Friendly Speaker Series: Foothills County Hospice — 10:00 AM, Okotoks Public Library. Free community talk on hospice services.

🎨 Toddler Tuesday: Shaving Foam Painting — 10:30 AM, Okotoks Art Gallery. Sensory art for little ones. Free.

📖 Blackout Poetry — Teen Program — 6:00 PM, Okotoks Public Library.

🗓️ Wednesday, April 15

🌿 The Living Systems Summit (Day 3, continues through 2:30 PM) — #4-204 Community Way, Okotoks.

☀️ Weather (Foothills Snapshot)

A gorgeous stretch to kick off the weekend! Thursday is crisp and clear at around 3°C, warming nicely into Friday and Saturday with sunny skies and highs near 14°C — perfect for getting out and about. Sunday cools back down to around 8°C with a 35% chance of snow flurries, because of course it does. As the Chamber Chorus would say: just wait an hour. 🌨️

💬 What Locals Are Talking About

🛒 Shop Local push: The Showcase High River Business Passport launch has people buzzing about exploring High River's business scene in a new way — prizes don't hurt either.

🎵 Barn concerts: The Tommy Charles show at Sheppard Family Park Red Barn has generated real excitement. A non-alcohol, family-friendly afternoon show in a barn built in 1915? That's the kind of thing that makes the Foothills special.

🌱 Community sustainability: The Living Systems Summit is bringing together forward-thinking voices from across the region for three days in Okotoks. Watch for community conversations to follow.

👉 That's your map for the week, neighbours! Got an event coming up you'd like us to share? Send it our way at [email protected] — we'd love to help spread the word.

And psst — next week is going to be a good one. 9 to 5 the Musical opens at the Highwood Centre in High River on April 17, and the Juno-nominated duo Over the Moon takes the stage at Old Church Theatre the same night. More details in next week's edition! 🎭

Until next week, The Foothills Scoop 🌄