Candlelight concerts set to debut at Honkers

By Lethbridge Herald on January 30, 2026.

HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO Christ Juno and Jolene Draper are two of the local musicians in the lineup for the inaugural Candlelight Sessions at Honkers Friday evening.

By Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

On most nights, Honkers Pub and Eatery carries the familiar rhythm of steady conversation, clinking glasses and the low hum of a room filled with regulars who know the menu as well as they know each other.

Perched between Lethbridge’s industrial area and the southeast corner of the city’s northside residential neighbourhood, the pub has long served as a meeting point for people arriving from different parts of the city.

On Friday, Jan. 30, that rhythm will slow as candlelight and acoustic music transform the space into an intimate listening room.

The Candlelight Concert, a new dinner-and-music event at Honkers, will feature local musicians—most balancing music with full-time day jobs—sharing the stage for an evening rooted in what the pub has long represented: community.

“It started as an idea when one of the open mic managers asked if we could come up with something different,” said musician Chris Juno, a regular performer at Honkers. “I came back with the idea of turning the pub into something we hadn’t done before.”

The concept evolved into a three-course dinner paired with live acoustic performances, developed in collaboration with Honkers owner Vicki Vanden Hoek and her team.

The event brings together performers who live and work in Lethbridge, offering a seated, relaxed experience where the music complements the meal rather than competing with it. There are no touring acts or marquee names—just familiar faces and original songs in a familiar room.

That approach fits naturally at Honkers, a veritable Lethbridge institution owned and operated by Vanden Hoek for decades. Well known throughout the city, she has built the pub into more than an eatery, hosting fundraisers, community meetings and live music along the way.

One of the performers, Jolene Draper, spends most days running the family-owned Petland Lethbridge, which marked 30 years in the city last year. Music, she says, has remained a constant alongside the responsibilities of work and family.

“I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for over 20 years,” said Draper. “I’ll be playing original music I’ve written, along with some obscure covers and some recognizable ones. It’s eclectic—I don’t know if I could put it into one genre.”

That balance is shared across the lineup, organizers say. Each performer juggles careers outside of music, making the Candlelight Concert a reflection of the city’s broader creative culture, where art often happens after work hours.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase your songs,” says Juno. “It’s still a pub environment, but a little different. The focus will be on the performer, while people enjoy a three-course meal and drinks.”

Candlelight will change the mood, but not the character of the room. Tables remain set for dinner, conversation is encouraged between sets, and the emphasis stays on comfort rather than formality—hallmarks that have kept Honkers a steady presence on Lethbridge’s dining scene.

Vanden Hoek’s name is closely tied to that atmosphere. A familiar figure to many patrons, she is known for keeping the doors open to community causes and local talent, reinforcing Honkers’ role as a neighbourhood hub.

The event also highlights the strength of Lethbridge’s live music scene, which continues to thrive in small venues across the city. From pubs and breweries to cafes and performance spaces, local musicians regularly find stages close to home.

Venues such as The Owl Acoustic Lounge, Telegraph Taphouse and The Slice, along with one-off shows and community events, help anchor that scene—giving audiences plenty of options to eat, drink and hear live music throughout the week.

For organizers and performers, the Candlelight Concert is less about launching something new than showcasing what already exists.

“Lethbridge has always been a bit of a hidden gem for live music,” said Draper. “There’s such a strong pool of talent. People are going to hear wonderful music, enjoy delicious food and soak in a beautiful atmosphere. Every time I come to Honkers, it’s welcoming and fun.”

As the final song fades and the candles are blown out, the evening is expected to feel less like a concert and more like a shared moment—exactly the kind Honkers has been hosting for years.

Tickets are $59.99 for dinner, listener tickets $20 after 7p.m.