Daybreak Alberta
with Russell Bowers

In a career spanning 15 years, twin sisters Tegan and Sara have gone from fresh-faced teens to pop superstars. Their latest CD, Heartthrob has already had the biggest debut for an album in their career. The lead single, Closer, has been getting regular airplay thanks to appearances on American TV shows like Letterman, Ellen and Conan. The Grammy-nominated duo spoke with Russell Bowers about growing up in Calgary, the switch to pop music and getting mentioned alongside acts like U2 and Mumford & Sons.

If you've bought a Canadian record in the past 40 years, especially one by Bruce Cockburn or Murray McLauchlan, then chances are you bought a record from the True North label. Founded in the 1970's by Bernie Finkelstein, the label expanded alongside the ever expanding success of Canadian music at home and abroad. In 2007, Finkestein sold the label and decided to semi-retire. He did work on an autobiography, True North, and he spoke with Russell about how the book is meant to be a personal story as opposed to a history of Canuck showbiz.

As the country's film-makers get ready to hand out the first ever Canadian Screen Awards, the country's longest running documentary film festival is filling up Edmonton's movie screens. The Global Visions Film Festival features documentaries from Canada and around the world, including some Oscar-nominated works. Daybreak's Nola Keeler spoke with festival producer Guy Lavalee about the highs and lows of getting the public out to see  documentaries.

Sometimes it's a challenge to forgive someone or even to forgive ourselves. Starting on Monday during the noon hour, musician Morag Northey is hoping people will come together to consider forgiveness. Last year, she organized Together Calgary, a series of lunch hour gatherings at St. Mary's Cathedral, and open to everyone. She played cello while visitors were given a space to think and reflect. Beginning on Monday, February 25, she's hoping that for the 2013 series, people will think about forgiving others and themselves. For Morag, the idea is a very personal one for her and Russell visited Morag's home and teaching studio for what became a very powerful discussion.

A new event comes to the landscape of Calgary with the Every Woman Festival on March 2 at the Gerry Thomas Gallery. The organizers say their hope is it will continue the dialogue of understanding and equality between women and men. It will also celebrate International Woman's Day on March 8, raise funds for an Ovarian Cancer charity, plus increase awareness of the bigger struggles faced by women in more oppressive societies.  Musicians Sophie Serafino, Justine Tyrell and Celia Rose spoke with Russell about the goals and origins of the Every Woman Festival.

Between having one of the most memorable voices in Canadian pop, and being a virtuoso pianist, Sarah Slean has found fans and friends all over this country during her career. Time magazine called her "one of the most compelling performers" in this country. Her last album was the critically acclaimed Land & Sea and she's bringing her sweeping orchestral arrangements to life in cities across Alberta.

In a relatively short amount of time, The Once have gone from unknowns to filling concert venues in North America and Europe. Last year, their latest disc, Row Upon Row of the People They Know, received a Juno nomination for Roots Group of the Year. Based in Newfoundland, they marry indie-folk, Americana and pop with their 3-part harmony. The Once is on a tour of Alberta. Vocalist, Geraldine Hollett spoke with Russell.

An internationally acclaimed Canadian dance company is in Edmonton tonight with the world premiere of its latest work. Wen Wei Dance has bowled over the critics and audiences with its award-winning, avante-garde work. Daybreak's Nola Keeler met with dancer, choreographer and company founder, Wen Wei Wong. His latest show, Seventh Sense, is on at the Timms Centre for the Arts in Edmonton.

It used to be you could pay with cash, credit or cheque. In person or mail-order - and that was about it. Now, the options seem endless thanks to an ever-expanding number of new apps, networks and devices and soon, you might even be able to pay with Twitter or get cash through your iTunes. To explain how all this could change the way we shop, Russell spoke with retail futurist Doug Stephens.