MUSIC MONDAY

Ward 6‘s Lauren Gillis, who goes by the stage name Lucette, is blessed with one of the sweetest voices … well … anywhere.
I was privileged to meet the talented local singer/songwriter at the Edmonton Music Awards.
Then I came across her randomly at Transcend Coffee, though her emerald-coloured hair threw me for a moment.
It’s back to its original colour. At last sighting, anyway.
Our chat at Transcend led to a another meeting over coffee at Credo this time. (Yes, I’m name-dropping the great independent cafes in Ward 6).
I was hoping to learn more about how civic government can help local artists.
The Live Music Initiative this term, led by my office, made some headway.
But we’ve got a long way to go to honour local talent and find ways to keep them home, rather than see them all leave for Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Lucette was kind enough to play my campaign launch for the 2017 election. But I’d be a fan, regardless.
Please check out her song Fields of Plenty. It is my favourite.

By Scott McKeen, City Councillor Ward 6