The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts has officially "unwrapped" its 2015-16 season.
A preview presented June 3 spotlighted the wide variety of world-class talent coming to North Battleford including Susan Aglukark and Les Ballet Jazz de Montréal.
General Manager Moe McGuinty hosted a sampling of the upcoming shows in the 385-seat venue's second year of offering season packages with priority seat selection and discounts of up to 35 per cent.
Opening the season Saturday, Sept. 19 will be Cody Prevost, the winner of 12 Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards.
McGuity said, “Over the past three years we have presented acts from across Canada, the United States and Europe, but every year we always present acts from Saskatchewan and that’s not because we have to, I guarantee you, it’s because they’re that good.”
Jan, 29, 2016 will see Jeffrey Straker performing.
“Here is another Saskatchewan guy who has a world-wide following," said McGuinty.
His latest career boost came from winning the prestigious Vina del Mar (Chile) song competition in February 2014 where he represented Canada, performing live to a festival crowd of 20,000 people and to a TV audience of 100 million viewers across the Spanish-speaking world.
“He is so much fun," said McGuinty.
Another Saskatchewan act, The Globe Theatre from Regina, will be returning. The group that last year did the music of Patsy Cline will this year present the Ring of Fire, the Music of Johnny Cash Feb. 26.
From Alberta, Juno-award winning country artist Brett Kissel will be at the Grand Old Oprey in August and in North Battleford in November.
From across Canada, the Dekker Centre is drawing performances by Quartette (made up of Cindy Church, Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick),by six members of the internationally acclaimed Leahy Family and by the Ennis Sisters, who will present A Celtic Christmas.
An audience-wide “Ooh!” went up when it was announced Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal would be appearing Feb. 11. For over 40 years, this internationally renowned repertory company has been touring to places like Rome, London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles.
Marie-Josée Lord, Haitian-born Canadian Soprano will also present a sizzling mix of popular and classical music titled Jumbalia.
“It’s going to entertain you and amaze you,” said McGuinty.
The season closer will be three-time Juno award winner Susan Aglukark, performing on June 9. Aglukark has performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth, Jean Chretien, Brian Mulroney, Nelson Mandela and Billy Graham.
"She's been named to the Order of Canada," said McGuinty. "She was here in 2012 with Tom Jackson and she was just charming."
Drawing from further afield, something completely out of the ordinary will be offered Oct. 3 – a chance to sing along to the most successful movie musical of all time.
“Fifty years ago something happened that took over the world,” said McGuinty. “It was the biggest movie of all time. It’s the 50th birthday of that movie this year and a new phenomenon has taken over the world.”
Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music is an interactive audience participation entertainment that has become a world-wide phenomenon. The audience is encouraged to join in as much or as little as they want as the movie is screened with subtitles to sing along to. Many people dress up in costume to add to the fun, just like the two local “nuns” did at the preview.
The evening begins with a 30-minute pre-film show during which the host leads the audience through a vocal warm-up, prepares them for special moments throughout the film and judges a costume competition. Everyone receives a free fun pack with special props for the “magic moments” to come.
Oct. 25 will see a performance by the Claire Lynch Band. Claire Lynch has soaring references from such talents as Dolly Parton, EmmyLou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
From the big band genre, the Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform March 8, another announcement that awed the audience. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.
A 14-show season package is being offered for $350 plus GST, a 35 per cent saving off the retail price of $544.50 for individual tickets. Priority seating for the full-season package began immediately at the preview evening. These packages are limited to 70 seats and are priced at the same amount as last year's season. Sales on these packages ends June 12.
A second package is also available to purchase any seven of the 14 shows at $31 per show plus GST, for a 20 per cent saving, again the same as last year. Subscription tickets will be on sale from June 15 to June 30.
Tickets for individual shows go on sale online July 1. The Dekker Centre box office will reopen Aug. 24.
McGuinty took the opportunity at the preview to thank the 126 volunteers who have put in 2,600 hours at the Dekker Centre, the “tech guys” and the staff. He also thanked the corporations and individuals who sponsor Dekker Centre performances.
"They see the value of bringing world-class entertainment to the community," he said. "It's simple, we can’t do it without them and we thank them."
Outside of the season package, the Dekker Centre promises a number of other shows throughout the coming year as well, including locally produced events such as theatre by the Battlefords Community Players, the Dances of India, concerts by the Gallery Singers, the North Battleford City Kinsmen Bands and the Battlefords Children's Choirs.
The Dekker Centre is also the venue for the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival, the Battlefords Dance Festival, the Svoboda Dance Festival and the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees.
During the 2015-16 season, the National Youth Band of Canada will also be performing.
In addition, there will be tribute artists recognizing Rod Stewart and U2 along with the Louisiana Hayride recreating the music of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and Roy Orbison.
