It didn’t matter whether they had been on the stage for more than 40 years or if they were making their first public appearance, the performers at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre re-opening gala gave the facility rave reviews.
Veteran musician Amos Garrett and his jazz trio were the headline performers at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) gala Feb. 27 and he said he is glad to be back at the building, which was once the Okotoks Methodist Church.
“I am just overjoyed that it has re-opened and the repair work has been done on this building,” Garrett said after his sold-out performance. “It is a great-sounding building. I did an acoustic performance here about five years ago and I never forgot it.
“When I heard it was closing I thought: ‘Gee I hope they get it going again soon.’”
The RPAC has been closed for approximately two years in order to complete $1 million in restorations.
Things were going full-bore at the new-and-improved RPAC last weekend to commemorate the re-opening of the 100-year-old building. Events included an open-mic performance on Friday, a children’s concert Saturday using handmade recycled materials for instruments, capped off by the Garrett concert Sunday.
The centre provided the quality of sound church ministers needed in days gone by.
“The sound here is very special,” Garrett said. “Churches were the pioneers of acoustically designed buildings because priests and ministers had to be heard. I love to play in churches.”
The building also fills a need in Okotoks.
“It’s all Okotoks has in regards to a venue in the neighbourhood of 150 to 200 people,” Garrett said. “That’s an important size venue for a lot of artists who can draw audiences of that size.”
He said in comparison, High River has Carlson’s on Macleod and Turner Valley has the Flare ‘n’ Derrick for such venues, which have attracted renowned acts like Crystal Plamondon and Lunch at Allen’s.
“It’s great to see Okotoks back in the ballgame with a small concert venue,” Garrett said. “I will be back just as soon as they ask.”
While the veteran Garrett was the headliner, the first performer of the weekend was a John Paul II Collegiate student who was making her singing debut.
A slightly nervous RJ Furlotte from Black Diamond was the first to walk on stage during Friday night’s open mic night with her a cappella version of the Dixie Chick’s “Travellin’ Soldier”.
She wowed the crowd.
“It is awesome,” Furlotte said. “I was just amazed at how good the sound is.”
Brian Fea of the Dewdney Players Group Theatre in Okotoks was in attendance for the Garrett’s concert and he said he was relieved to hear the acoustics weren’t affected by the remodernization at the centre.
He added Dewdney will welcome the facility back. He said the theatre group did not hold a major production last year because of a lack of venue.
The next concert at the RPAC is Jean Beupre on March 25.
To check out future events at the RPAC go to www.okotoksculture.ca
