Three musical powerhouses will be sharing a stage this weekend, delivering a seasoned West Coast sound with a few laughs thrown in for good measure.On Sunday (April 20), John Mann, Shari Ulrich and Norman Foote are performing at the Brackendale Art Gallery. While their musical styles are diverse, all three have a flair for songwriting.Mann - well known as the front man for folk-rock band Spirit Of The West - comes to the gallery as part of his tour through intimate venues to promote his most recent release and solo project December Looms. After 11 albums and countless tours of the U.K., Europe and North America with Spirit of the West, Mann says this recording is a return to his stripped down, alternative-folk roots. Performing in caf茅s, galleries and other small rooms is something Mann says he relishes."Playing solo versus singing with Spirit of the West is an apples/oranges thing," he said. "I've been in Spirit over half my lifewhen we take the stage, nine times out of 10, it's fun - but it's always safe."As a solo artist, Mann said he drops the safety net, telling the stories behind the songs and creating a stronger connecting with the audience.Multiple Juno award-winner Ulrich also brings a wealth of experience to each performance with more than a dozen albums under her belt. Ulrich first hit the stage as one-third of the wacky Pied Pumkin String Ensemble, where she not only sang but played violin, mandolin, flute, dulcimer, guitar and saxophone. She has also played back up to Valdy. one of the gallery's most famous regular guests.Now she performs alongside her daughter, Julia Graff, who provides violin, guitar, piano and vocal accompaniment to her mother's solo shows.Norman Foote can be counted on to add humour to the night. The comedic singer is a longtime friend of gallery owners Thor and Dorte Froslev.Foote combines storytelling and puppetry into his musical performances, appealing to adults and children alike.Tickets for the show are $20 and can be purchased at the gallery and Mostly Books. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Sunday (April 20).
