The Arcola Optimist Club will welcome singer-songwriter and four-time Saskatchewan Country Music Award nominee, Chris Henderson-and his band-to the town's historic Mac Theatre, Friday, June 19, with proceeds going to the continued restoration of the heritage building.
Henderson says he is looking forward to performing in a venue that is gathering a reputation among musicians for its charm, authenticity, and excellent acoustics.
“As for the venue, I haven't been there yet,” says Henderson. “But good news travels fast in the music industry, and I've heard nothing but good things. I was talking with both Codie Prevost and Blake Berglund at the SCMA Awards, and they both mentioned it's a beautiful room.”
“I'm excited not only to play there, but that there is another venue and community working hard to keep live music alive and well...We could use 50 more groups like (the Arcola Optimist Club) in Western Canada.”
Glen Lawson of the Arcola Optimist Club agrees. “Talking to a lot of different groups and artists, they all praise the theatre's acoustics. Also, artists also say playing our concerts at the Mac isn't like playing at a bar. Instead, people are looking at them playing. The Mac's a good place for that kind of concert, and it's a tradition we want to keep going.”
“In the past we've had the Johner Brothers, Blake Berglund, Codie Prevost play. At our fall concert, we hosted an evening with Nashville-based singer-songwriters Victoria Banks, Phil Barton, and Emily Shackleton.”
“We're really looking forward to having Chris and his full band play for our spring concert,” adds Lawson. “With Chris's show, we're back to showcasing Saskatchewan talent. He's from the area, his dad's from the area, and he's a Saskatchewan Country Music Award nominee.”
Henderson-who performs both as a solo act and with his band-says of his upcoming Arcola show: “As for what people can expect with a full band... I'd say it's definitely an engagement of the show that I bring to the table, and more than anything else, they bring a great live energy to things.”
“I was fortunate enough to have 95 percent of my tracks on my most recent album ('My Turn') played by Saskatchewan players and a lot of those guys are in my band today. They are world-class players, and I have no doubt that the audience will be very impressed by what they bring to the table, and what they add to a show.”
Lawson says the Optimists are continuing to work on the heritage building “from the inside-out.”
“Our goal is to preserve the theatre,” he says. “The proceeds from this concert as well as our portion of this year's (snowmobile) rally proceeds will be ploughed back into continuing to upgrade the theatre.”
“We've restored the inside, we've finished the roof, and now we're going to rehabilitate the front, especially the windows, doors, and the awning. We're looking at energy-efficent doors and windows, but we want the theatre to keep the art-deco look.”
“It'll definitely be a sympathetic restoration,” says Lawson. “We're not going to change the look of the theatre.”
Lawson says that “A show of this calibre would not be possible without our generous local sponsors, and the Optimist Club is grateful for their contributions. We're expecting a good crowd, so I encourage people to purchase their tickets in advance. But if they come to the door, we'll do our very best to get them in.”
“It should be a great show, and we're really looking forward to welcoming Chris and his band to The Mac.”
The Chris Henderson Band will be performing Friday, June 19 at The Mac Theatre, Main Street, Arcola. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling Glen at (306)-577-3250 or Blake at (306)-577-9904. Tickets are also available at Arcola Pharmacy and at Chapman & Sons Grocery in Arcola.
