Medalta Dance Party

Join us at 3.00pm on June 20 for the Medalta Dance Party: Newly located at Medalta Potteries, the dance party features Medicine Hat’s Ciara Hager, the Klave Latin Band and The Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra.

We’ve moved this party over to the historic Medalta Potteries this year, showcasing 3 amazing Alberta bands! Starting with Medicine Hat native The Ciara Hager Fusion Project and her quartet at 3:00pm, followed by The Klave Latin Band at 4:15pm and finishing off with headliners The Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra bringing the energy through to 8:00pm. With great food, irresistible grooves, and plenty of dancing, the Medalta Dance Party is shaping up to be one of the signature events of this year’s festival!

The Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra – 6:00 PM (2 Sets)

The Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra will headline the Medalta Dance Party. Paying homage to one of the greatest musicians of all time, the Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra is a 9 piece orchestra performing the hits penned by the legend himself.

Formed by Musical Director John Gray, bassist and leader on the Calgary Jazz scene who toured with the Ray Charles Orchestra, an ensemble of Calgary’s finest musicians recreate the one-of-a-kind sound of Ray Charles and perform such hits as ‘Georgia On My Mind’, ‘MaryAnn’, ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and ‘Let the Good  Times Roll’, among them. Featuring  Award Winning Vocalist, Thomas (The Voice) Alexander on lead vocals, the group includes a solid rhythm section, a killer horn section and 2 Soulful backup singers. Joining John and Thomas will be Jo Marillier and Oaitse Hellard on background vocals, Brian Wally on trombone, Chris Tauchner on piano, Jim Johnston on drums, Jim Brenan on tenor sax and Paul Scholtz on trumpet.

Klave Latin Band – 4:15 PM

Klave Latin Band: A Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club consists of four members – guitarist and vocalist Jorge Chaviano (Cuba), percussionist and vocalist Raul Gomez Tabera (Cuba), bassist Mario Ochoa (Venezuela) and pianist/keyboardist Tricia Edwards (Canada).A typical performance will find everyone up on the dance floor for a high-energy performance of the traditional favourite Cuarto de Tula, singing along to Guantanamera, participating in a call and response over Oye Como Va with Jorge or cha-cha-ing along to a latin take on the James Brown classic “I Feel Good.”

The Ciara Hager Fusion Project – 3:00 PM

The Ciara Hager Fusion Project is an electric quartet featuring violin with rhythm section. Originally recorded with alumni from the University of North Texas Jazz program, the band helps violinist Ciara Hager’s compositions come to life with glimpses of funk, hip hop and afro grooves, drawing inspiration from the Chick Corea Elektric Band, Jean Luc Ponty and Dave Weckl. Releasing in the Summer of 2026, expect fearless, groove-driven fusion – bold, electrifying, and impossible to ignore. The band will include keyboardist Joanna Borromeo, fretless bassist Sean Croal, and drummer Harry Faunt.