Stage Door Sessions

Ever wanted to go behind the scenes at the Winspear Centre? Join us for our new series, the Stage Door Sessions, held in the backstage studio where the ESO, our guest artists, and even the Rolling Stones have rehearsed.

For our first session, get up close and personal with Edmonton rising stars Lucas Chaisson, Adri Meeks, and Dana Wylie and witness the intimate side of the Edmonton live music scene in this iconic setting.

Support local artists and pay what you can – but seating is extremely limited. Come early to ensure you get a seat and have a glass of wine before the show or skip the line and reserve your spot by contacting communications@winspearcentre.com.

Lucas Chaisson

Since his self-produced debut No Loitering (2010), Lucas Chaisson has become one of the brightest young stars in the Canadian roots music scene. His sophomore effort "Growing Pains" (2012) earned him the title "Young Performer of the Year" at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The strong songwriting showcased on his recordings, and his ability to make an emotional connection with his audience has garnered him the opportunity to play high profile venues such as the Edmonton, Calgary, Canmore, Vancouver Island and Winnipeg Folk Festivals.

Recorded in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winning producer Colin Linden, Telling Time (2015) was released to much acclaim. Lucas was short-listed for the Edmonton Music Prize, received a nomination for "Solo Roots Recording of The Year" at the Western Canadian Music Awards and seven Edmonton Music Award nominations; where he was awarded "Singer-Songwriter of The Year" and "Country Recording of The Year. "Telling Time" received considerable airplay on Canadian college radio, CBC, CKUA, SIRIUS/XM and several independently programmed stations in the United States. A seamless blend of folk, roots, blues and country flavours, this recording illustrates the unique sound Lucas has been working towards for years.

Currently taking time to work on his fourth full length recording, Lucas has kept busy workshopping new material at venues around Alberta and performing often as a regular member of alt-country band Lucette. An honest and confident songwriter, Lucas isn’t afraid to tread familiar ground with new eyes.

Adri Meeks

Adri is an Edmonton based singer/songwriter and musician. Her melodious pop tunes are infused with folk, jazz, and soul traditions; all tied together with her agile and distinct soprano. Her lyrics have raw vulnerability; poetic and sincere, they twist and contort into a folkloric dreamscape. Her music is sometimes soft and sweet and then suddenly bold and energetic, playing the line of being both catchy and ambitious with maximum impact and memorability.

Dana Wylie Trio

Dana has carved a uniquely wandering path through music; she cut her teeth in jug bands, bluegrass bands and cover bands in Taiwan, toured steadfastly with her own band in the UK, released three critically-praised albums, then landed back in Canada to pursue a Masters in musicology. Her new album, The Earth That You’re Made Of, expresses the grounded but revelatory wisdom of the pilgrim who thinks she may have just found her way home. Journalist, broadcaster, and festival director Peter North called it “one of the finest contemporary roots recordings to have ever been produced in Alberta, period.”