The Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) has an eclectic lineup of shows for its upcoming season, which opens in early September and runs through to next May.
First up are two evenings with a new event format dubbed Acoustic Evenings on Sept. 5 and 19, as well as the Yuk Yuks comedy tour Sept. 22, followed by an internationally renowned guitar act.
“The most exciting show coming up in my mind is Pavlo,” said RPAC co-ordinator Andrea Spiers. “We had Pavlo when he first started out in the early 2000s, when we first had the building. His career took off hugely after and he’s performed all over the world; he performs with Oscar Lopez and Rick Emmett as well.”
Further into the autumn months are some staples, as well as other renowned music acts.
“We have all the regulars, we have the Yuk Yuks, we have our Rocky Horror Picture Show, which are our fan favourites,” Spiers said.
“There’s a little bit of everything: there's Mediterranean guitar, there’s Celtic, there’s blues, illusionists and some old-time music.”
The Dewdney Players will stage their upcoming play, Bullshot Crummond in late October and early November, while Celtic family band The McDades will perform on Nov. 20.
All of this is up-close and personal in the small former church, where patrons watch from the pews.
“We have 150 seats, we’re a small and intimate venue, so you can see big shows like Pavlo and The McDades in a small and intimate setting,” Spiers said. “That’s what a lot of performers love about the RPAC, you can interact with the crowd better.”
Patrons can purchase multiple shows to receive a bundle discount, if purchased in one transaction and in person at the Okotoks Art Gallery.
Purchasing three to four shows will receive 10 per cent off, purchasing five to six shows will receive 15 per cent off, purchasing seven or more shows will receive 20 per cent off.
Not eligible for multiple performance discounts are Dewdney Players performances and Roots & Blues weekend.
For more information about upcoming programming, visit OkotoksCulture.ca.
The full list of shows is as follows:
2023:
Sept. 5 and 19 – Acoustic Night
Sept. 22 – Yuk Yuks
Sept. 27 – Pavlo
Oct. 3 – Acoustic Night
Oct. 14 – Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct. 15-21, 26-28, Nov. 2-4 – Bullshot Crummond by Dewdney Players
Nov. 7 – Acoustic Night
Nov. 20 – The McDades
Nov. 21 – Acoustic Night
Dec. 5 – Acoustic Night
Dec. 6 – Heebee-Jeebees Christmas
Dec. 19 – Acoustic Night
2024:
Jan. 17 – Always... Patsy Cline
Jan. 21-27, Feb. 1-3, 8-10 – Dewdney Players
Feb. 23 – Yuk Yuks
Mar. 3 – Chris Funk
Mar. 10-16, 21-23 – Dewdney Players
April 5 – The Carolines
April 18 – Suzie Vinnick
April 28-30, May 1-4, 9-11, 16-18 – Dewdney Players
