Open microphones, hand made instruments and legendary guitarist Amos Garret are all part of the gala re-opening weekend of the Rotary Performing Arts Centre in Okotoks Feb. 25 though Feb. 27.
Events are scheduled to celebrate the return of the Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) to full operational status after it’s most recent round of renovations, which concluded late last year.
Allan Boss, Okotoks’ cultural and historic services team leader, said he and the other planners have put together three days that will have something of interest for almost everyone.
“The initial idea for the grand reopening weekend is that we should make it into a large celebration to present the facility back to the community,” he said. “That’s what I think the building is about — serving the whole community with arts and culture. So I wanted to have something for everybody.”
Activities will begin on Friday Feb. 25, with a wide-open night of performances.
“Because the RPAC is such a great music venue and there are so many talented musicians in Okotoks we decided to have an acoustic open mic evening,” he said.
Would-be performers are required to pre-register for this show which will include everything from artists who have recorded their own CD’s to amateur musicians who just want to strut their stuff. Boss said it could be as simple as a child who is skilled on the piano or even a spoken word performer who wants to get up on stage and perform before an enthusiastic audience.
Prizes will be awarded to some of the entertainers and the show, which begins at 8 p.m., will feature free admission.
On Saturday Feb. 26 there will be a free winter pancake breakfast with the food prepared outdoors but enjoyed inside.
“We’ll be firing up the grills at 8 a.m. in the morning and hopefully getting people served by sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.,” Boss explained.
Also on Saturday morning there will be live music from the likes of Okotoks singer/songwriter Paul Rumbolt and tours of the RPAC conducted by the Okotoks Historical Society right up until noon.
Beginning at 10 a.m. there will be an activity for children with the curious title of The Okotoks Kerflunkel Orchestra 4 Kids Workshop.
Jan Robinson of the Okotoks Museum and Archives is one of the people spearheading this unusual musical exercise.
“The Foothills Theatre Company is working with me on this,” she said. “What it’s all about is taking recycled items and making musical instruments out of them. At the end of the workshop Derek Losoncy from the theatre company is going to have a concert with the kids.”
Wrapping up the weekend up will be a performance by the Amos Garrett Jazz Trio Sunday Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. The Foothills own Garrett always pleases fans with his mesmerizing guitar playing. With Garrett and the rest of his trio placed in the refined acoustic surroundings of the RPAC it has the makings of a memorable performance.
Tickets for the Amos Garrett Jazz Trio concert are $15 each and are available from the Okotoks Art Gallery by calling 403-938-3204. To pre-register for both the Acoustic Open Microphone show and the Kerflunkel workshop also call 403-938-3204.
