ESTEVAN - The Estevan Arts Council (EAC) has announced the schedule for its 2023-24 Estevan Concert Series.
The series will kick off with a performance by Diyet and the Love Soldiers on Oct. 25 at 7;30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion's Estevan branch. The concert series' promotional poster says Diyet and the Love Soldiers features an Indigenous singer-songwriter from the Yukon who blends alternative country, folk, roots and traditional music with her native southern Tutchone language and stories.
The remaining concerts will be in 2024, starting with Prairie Debut presents Buzz Brass on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church. They are described as a Canadian brass quintet that offers a dynamic performance of classical works reinterpreted through trumpet, horn and trombone.
"I think all of the students who are in band should go there. Their performances, they really make it fun and comedic, but also show how good they are," said EAC president Wilma Mantei, who added people of all ages will enjoy the show.
The Andrew Collins Trio will be on March 5 at the legion at 7:30 p.m. Also featuring Mike Mezzatesta and James McEleney, Collins showcases a range of styles and instruments on stage.
Piano Heist will be March 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. The duo presents everything from classical piano pieces to boogie woogie and romantic ballads. Mantei said they want to show how the piano remains an incredible instrument.
Jack Garton will be March 22 at the legion at 7:30 p.m. The poster says he performs a breadth of music that spans the intimate, bombastic, funny, skillful and profound.
Finally, Saskatchewan musician Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys will be in Estevan on April 23 at the legion at 7:30 p.m. Vaadeland is described as a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, with a traditional sound and unique style that blends bluegrass and 50s rockabilly.
Vaadeland has been on Telemiracle in the past, and often wears exotic clothes for his performances.
"I think it's a pretty great series," said Mantei. "We have a lot of variety."
The EAC heard all of these acts at the showcase for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils, and the performers were excellent.
"All of the arts councils in Saskatchewan meet … and it's a three-day event … and we hear these 15 acts, and if we like them, we get to meet with them in person and talk with them in person. And when you talk with them, you get to know the person, and whether you like the way they think and act and talk."
A season subscription is $125 for adults and $50 for students ages six to 18. Those include six concert tickets.
"If they buy the series, they're getting six concerts for under $25 apiece," said Mantei.
People can decide how they want to use their tickets, so they can use one for each show or they can use up all six at once.
They also want to see young people come and enjoy the music.
A patron's pass is $275, and includes 12 concert tickets and a $25 donation receipt.
Advance tickets are $30 each and can be purchased at Henders Drugs. Tickets at the door are $35. A student ticket is $10.
Mantei said they haven't had as many people in attendance for the concert series since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, so they didn't go with top-end acts, but the EAC believes the shows for 2023-24 will be entertaining.
And she expects the legion and the churches that will host the performances will all be great venues.
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