The popular Turner Valley series will be returning to the Flare n’ Derrick Community Hall with the Weber Brothers performing on Oct. 23 after it was put on hold since the start of the pandemic.
The Ontario-based duo, consisting of Ryan Weber on bass, piano, guitar and vocals, and brother Sam on guitar and vocals, is elated to be making a return to the west
“Alberta has been just a really special place for us over the years,” Sam said. “We’ve been out there many many times and made a lot of great friends.
“A big part of what we do is travel and see people and different parts of the world, and just a chance to get out to Alberta again, it’s going to be good for my soul.”
The duo will bring their high-energy blend of bluesy rock, folk and country that refuses to be pinned down.
“It’s rooted in old rock and roll, blues, and country and sort of just an amalgamation of all the music we like,” Sam said. “The common thread is just dedication and the hard work we put into it. I think it’s reflected in that.”
The brothers have graced the area twice in the past, with their larger band, and teamed up with fellow musician Paul Reddick.
“It really is one of my favourite places on Earth. It truly is,” Sam added.
Being back on the road in general is a blessing for the two, Ryan said, extolling the joy of playing for a live audience.
“It feels amazing. It feels great. Every gig at this point is a celebration,” Ryan said. “Not that we ever took it for granted before, but we really don’t take it for granted now.
“It’s a beautiful thing to play for people, it’s great to see people we haven’t seen for quite a while.”
Suzanne Searle, Beneath the Arch artistic director, described the past shows of the Weber brothers as “over the top”.
“They’re consummate musicians, these guys are just so crazy good,” Searle said. “They also write really good songs too, so it’s original music.
“They’ve been coming to this area for years, and they do have a following.”
The organizer added she is looking forward to the concert she had to cancel twice due to COVID.
“Everybody was upset—COVID in itself was huge, everybody was distressed,” she said.
While the series typically started in September, Searle waited until October to avoid the unpredictable fallout that could come from summer.
Shows in the past held around 260 patrons, she expects numbers a little lower due to restrictions, but the event will require proof of double vaccination for attendees.
“Certainly with vaccination, we should be able to put on shows, people should be able to go, and it should be quite safe,” Searle said. “If you’re surrounded by vaccinated people, it’s going to be fine. That’s the whole point of vaccination.”
The concert runs For more information visit http://beneaththearch.ca/
