Describing herself as a ‘romantic soul’, Alberta musician Erica Viegas’ tunes easily paint visual images conveying a spectrum of emotions.
She’s one of several artists to be featured during the Central Music Festival Aug. 13-14.
Born into a musical family and raised in Sherwood Park, Viegas’ passion for music was sparked at an early age. She started voice lessons at age 11, and from there on in took pretty much every opportunity she could to hit the stage.
Currently she’s performing in support of her exquisite latest disc Where My Heart Goes. Viegas’ voice is truly a wonder – melodic and gentle but bold and strong when the tune in question calls for it.
The lovely sensibilities of You showcase her vocal diversity perfectly – the song virtually floats along with an irrepressible joy. There’s also something instantly calming about her voice – the song Pictures taps into that particularly charming characteristic.
She’s been honing her craft professionally for the last decade, singing at festivals and talent competitions all over western Canada including the Calgary Stampede, the Big Valley Jamboree and Canadian Search for Miss Universe.
Viegas also is intent on making a difference on the international front. A portion of the proceeds from the EP will go towards One International Poverty Relief — a school for street children in Mumbai, India where she once volunteered and was inspired to write the tune Thank You.
Meanwhile, organizers of the fourth annual Central Music Festival are hoping for at least a thousand fans to settle in and enjoy the music this year.
The Friday night and all day Saturday family-oriented, outdoor festival takes place on farmland just north of the City on township road 392 (directions on web site), said Mike Bradford, president of the Central Music Festival Society.
“We have a beer tent, a great kid’s show with Trent Tinney, crafts for sale, local vendors offering food and beverages, a great line-up of new and established talent, all in all a cultural convergence.”
The Friday night line-up opens with the Half Chance Heroes, a Red Deer band that won the festival’s talent contest, and includes Ross Stafford, St. James Gate, the Backwoods Roots Revue, the Ron Hubbard Band, John Rutherford, Great American Taxi and Steve Coffey, closing with The Trews Acoustic.
Saturday’s line-up starts with The Doll Sisters from Rocky Mountain House and includes Dick Raidek, Holly & Jon, the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers (from Amber Valley, a black community in northern Alberta), Lisa Heinrichs, Lindsay Ell, F & M, Oldbury, Lucas Chaisson from U22, The Command Sisters, Jim Byrnes, Jenny Allen, Ponty Bone & The Squeezetones, Chris LeBlanc and winds up with country singer Shane Yellowbird.
Early bird weekend passes are available for $60 till July 4.
Children under 13 are free with a paying adult and there are 60 plus rates too. Tickets are available at the Black Knight Inn ticket centre or on-line at the festival website.
For more information check out the web site at www.centralmusicfest.com.
