Sarah Slean Takes 'Sea' on Canadian Tour

BY Alex HudsonPublished Oct 24, 2012

Sarah Slean's 2011 release Land & Sea was a double album, but the Canadian songwriter will be focusing on just one half of that collection when she takes Sea on tour in early 2013.

Sea is the more difficult half of the record to recreate live. Unlike the rock band-oriented Land, the nine songs that comprise Sea feature lush orchestral arrangements. While the live renditions won't be quite as grand as the studio versions (which featured a 21-piece orchestra), Slean will be bringing along a string quintet, plus a percussionist and a backup vocalist. Each night will also feature guest appearances from local symphony players, and some gigs include a string section with as many as 12 members.

In addition to performing Sea, the ensemble will play some of Slean's back catalogue cuts that feature strings. The tour will take Slean and company from coast to coast for 21 Canadian dates between February and May.

Slean said in a statement, "We've found a way to bring the music of Sea on the road! We'll be performing the original orchestral arrangements as faithfully as possible, travelling with a core group and supplementing with some of the finest classical string players in Canada from every city. We can't wait to bring audiences a truly awe-inspiring sound — and in some of the most beautiful, unique venues Canada has to offer. We aim to bring pretense-free artistry, dazzling skill and depth to the concert experience — aren't you tired of pop culture insulting your intelligence? I am. It will truly be an un-categorizable, one-of-a-kind adventure and I couldn't be more excited." 

Prior to the Sea treak, Slean will tour with Tom Jackson's Huron Carole tour which aims to end hunger across the nation. See the full schedule below.

Tour dates:

11/21 Moncton, NB - Capital Theatre *^
11/22 Halifax, NS - Casino Nova Scotia *^
11/25 Saint John, NB - Imperial Theatre *^
11/26 Fredericton, NB - The Playhouse *^
11/28 Orillia, ON - Orillia Opera House *^~
11/29 Ottawa, ON - Shenkman Arts Centre *^~
11/30 Mississauga, ON - Living Arts Centre *^~
12/2 Thunder Bay, ON - Community Auditorium *^
12/3 Winnipeg, MB - Centennial Concert Hall *^#
12/4 Brandon, MB - Keystone Centre *^#
12/6 Estevan, SK - Spectra Place *^#
12/7 Saskatoon, SK - Prairieland Park *^#
12/9 Regina, SK - Conexus Arts Centre *^#
12/10 Edmonton, AB - Northern AB Jubilee Auditorium *^#
12/11 Grande Prairie, AB - Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre *^#
12/13 Cold Lake, AB - Cold Lake Energy Centre *^#
12/15 Olds, AB - Olds College *
12/16 Medicine Hat, AB - Paradise Valley G&CC *
12/17 Red Deer, AB - Memorial Centre *^#
12/18 Calgary, AB - Fairmont Palliser Hotel *
12/19 Banff, AB - Banff Centre *^#
12/20 Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall *^#
2/1 Ottawa, ON - Centrepointe Theatre
2/2 Quebec City, QC - Theatre du Petit Camplain
2/14 Meaford, ON - Meaford Hall
2/15 Bayfield, ON - Bayfield Town Hall
2/16 London, ON - Aeolian Hall
2/21 Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
2/22 Regina, SK - Artesian Hall
2/23 Saskatoon, SK - Broadway Theatre
2/26 Lethbridge, AB - Southminster United Church
2/27 Canmore, AB - Communitea Café
2/28 Calgary, AB - University Theatre
3/2 Sherwood Park, AB - Festival Place
3/4 Nelson, BC - The Royal
3/5 Kelowna, BC - Kelowna Community Theatre
3/6 Vancouver, BC - Rio Theatre
3/8 St. John, NB - Imperial Theatre
3/9 Fredericton, NB - The Fredericton Playhouse
3/10 Halifax, NS - The Spatz Theatre
4/12 Mississauga, ON - Living Arts Centre
5/10 Stouffville, ON - Lebovic Centre
5/11 Hamilton, ON - Studio Place Theatre

* with Tom Jackson
^ with Susan Aglukark
~ with Del Barber
# with Matt Dusk

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