The Yorkton Arts Council is beginning 2013 with a dynamic Stars for Saskatchewan show, The True Jive Pluckers, Sun., Jan. 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton Regional High School.
Who are the True Jive Pluckers? They're Ed Minevich on violin, Jack Semple on guitar, and Stephen McLellan on bass: all amazing world-class musicians in their own right, but together, they combine their individual talents and their sparkling charm and showmanship to give us an outstanding performance of music that covers everything from jazz to country to blues to klezmer to tango!
"We enjoy playing for everyone; that's really important." says Stephen McLellan. When asked what their favorite thing was about performing, Stephen didn't hesitate. "Communication. It's a joy to come and play for people. We had such a blast in Yorkton!" he remarked, referring to their last visit to the city.
Music is a way to reach out to people, and Stephen commented that what they want to leave with the audience is "memories of great music: great music played well. We do a mix of old and new, including our standards. We rehearse a lot, and we don't treat anybody to any less than a big show."
And what is that big show? Stephen laughs and says that "it's a string of toe-tapping and hand-clapping tunes with our own special crazy arrangements!"
With their philosophy of music being a form of communication with their audience, the True Jive Pluckers have gone one step further and are involved in the Concerts in Care program, presented by Health Arts Societies in the Qu'Appelle Health Region, a program to bring the rich experience of performance arts to people in residential care. "Music gets to people. It gets inside us. It's been a great success." Stephen says, his voice warm with enthusiasm about this very special project. The program is as rewarding for the performers as it is for their audiences, and sharing their love of music with care home residents has been an extra-special calling for the Pluckers. They're not only great musicians, but great musicians with heart.
Tickets to the True Jive Pluckers are available at the Yorkton Arts Council Office, in the Godfrey Dean Building on Smith Street, (call 783-8722), or at Welcome Home Floral and Gift Shop on Smith Street, or at the door.
Visit www.yorktonarts.ca for more information about the great Stars for Saskatchewan line-up, presented by the Yorkton Arts Council.
