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We have 2 guests online| Breathing Life into Small-Town Saskatchewan |
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| Written by Liza Gareau Tosh |
| Friday, 04 December 2009 21:43 |
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They came from far, they came from just down the street. They came because they wanted to know what this was all about, because they heard the music playing, because they heard about the last event and didn’t want to miss the next one, and because they knew they would like anything that had to do with music and art. I am referring to the many patrons of Routes Gallery of Harris, Sask., which opened earlier this spring and has seen its last event take place for 2009. This new gallery and concert hall created from a former United Church that was moved in, will be closed until April of 2010, and is looking back at its first year with much delight. There was Art. Local artists and artists from afar showed their work here this year: and I would like to thank Ken Nelson, Edie Marshall, George Tosh, Karen Wallace, and her son Teiji who graced the room with their beautiful work. More exhibitions are being planned for next year so be on the look out for Sharon Pulvermacher (April), Carol Wylie (Sept.), and work from the group Artx9 (Nov.) that has been travelling the country throughout this past year. And there was learning. At least 18 people came to the gallery regularly for instruction in acrylic painting and in art making. The four year olds would meet on Saturday mornings to make a really fun mess of things, and the “older” crowd would find its way through landscape, portraiture, abstract and still-life painting. Needless to say, they want more! And more they shall have, as watercolour painting will be offered in the fall (Oct.). There was music, all kinds, in a space where the sound was exceptional and the atmosphere unpretentious and giving. For everyone who performed, there were calls the next day from their friends, also performers, who wanted to be part of the experience for the next time. So needless to say, the gallery is booked for all of 2010. Just to name a few, bluesman B.C. Read, folk singer/songwriter Farideh, and old time blues era and award-winning Little Miss Higgins will be opening next year’s season. Concerts take place once a month and are a regular event at the gallery. What people may not realize is that this building has its roots in old time country-western traditions too. The local band “The Classics” had reunited for a few old time dances to much adoration, and will be back next year for more. The first annual Good Time Show, the Irish Ceili with “The Residuals” was a hit to a full house. Next year’s will be more of the French-Canadian tradition (Oct). Country-western music also appeared this year through musicians like Keith Bartlett and The Laws. Next year, Darryl Delaronde and Saskia, who are members of Gary Fjellgaard’s band, will be playing at Routes Gallery (Nov). Singer/songwriter Mark Ceaser has said of the gallery, “this is the best place I have every played”. He felt the sound was so incredible, he has invited CBC Radio to record his upcoming concert (April) for broadcast. Musician Bob Helgason has said about his upcoming performance (June), “I am certain that I am not alone in being inspired by the gallery and all that comes with it: the sounds, the art, the building, and the people. I for one, am already working had to channel whatever inspiration I get from my experiences at the Routes into something good.” So I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the patrons who left the coziness of their homes to experience the coziness of what is called Routes Gallery. You are breathing life into small town Saskatchewan and it has been wonderful on so many levels. There’s a lot more to come, so stay tuned. We’ll be back in April! |
| Last Updated on Saturday, 23 January 2010 14:10 |