For 36 years, the Yorkton Arts Council has been brining a wide variety of acts to the Yorkton area. The lineup for the 2010-2011 season has recently been finalized. Ten acts will be taking the stage at the Anne Portnuff theatre, with some familiar faces and some new ones gracing the stage.
"I would say it's a balance of all types of performing arts. We've got all different kinds of music, we've got some dance, in one there's a little bit of theatre, so it's a wide range of performing arts," describes Margaret Cugnet from the Yorkton Arts Council.
The season will kick off on September 8 with Jim Witter and his show Feeling Groovy, the Music of Simon and Garfunkel. Cugnet notes that Witter has been in Yorkton twice before, and was so engaging that they had to bring him back again. She notes that his attention to detail and way of presenting the history of the artist is a valuable tribute.
"He has the life of the artist up there... While he's performing the music, you have a chance to review their whole history," Cugnet says.
The second show will be Inti-Illimani on September 28. The group, originally from Chile, plays a variety of 30 wind, string and percussion instruments. Cugnet describes their sound as a treasure for the human spirit, and says that representitives from other arts councils across the province have been surprised that Yorkton has never seen the group before. They are also touring with Francesca Gagnon, who is the "Voice of Alegria" with Cirque du Soleil.
The next act will be the Nylons on October 14. The a cappella group is well known, with seven gold and platinum recordings. Cugnet says that the group has been one of the artists people most wanted to see again.
International Guitar Night will be in town on November 19. The night will feature Brian Gore and three other guitarists, Clive Carroll, Alexandre Gismonti and Pino Forastiere, playing and discussing music, composition and guitar. Cugnet predicts that the evening will be both entertaining and educational, as people learn about guitar and composition from the artists in a relaxed setting.
The series will also feature two artists with Prairie Debut. The first is Bax and Chung, who will be in town on December 11. The pair of pianists perform classical music, four hands on one piano. Cugnet says that their performance is spectacular.
"They are absolutely incredible. They showcased last year in Swift Current, and I think they got the biggest tour of anyone who has ever showcased, people were just blown away by them," Cugnet says.
The second Prairie Debut artist is Jorge Miguel on January 28. Known as the "Soul of Flamenco," Cugnet says that his performance is one of passion. She is also excited that he will be bringing a dance element to his performance, as it will feature a flamenco dancer.
Between the Prairie Debut performances will be Angele Dubeau and La Pieta on January 20. Cugnet says the group - an all female string ensemble - is amazing, and that Dubeau is one of the most popular violinists in the world.
March 11 will bring Mosaique to Yorkton, a jazz group consisting of James Campbell, Guy Few, James McKay, Chloe Dominguez, Mark Fewer and John Novacels. Cugnet says that it's difficult to find jazz groups, and she says it is exciting to see a group which people will identify with and enjoy.
Echoes of Ireland will be in town on March 23. Cugnet says that The Magic of Ireland was in the series two years ago, explains Cugnet, and this new show combines their dance and music with the story telling of Frank and Malachy McCourt.
"It's called the Echoes of Ireland and it encompasses all of Irish culture," Cugnet says.
The series will close with Fernando Varela on April 17. Cugnet admits that confirming when Varela could perform is one of the reasons why the schedule was late in being finalized, but she says that getting him to perform was worth the trouble. She says that Varela is making big strides, and to have him perform in Yorkton is an honor.
"He is really being hailed as the next Luciano Pavarotti, that's how good he is," Cugnet says.
Cugnet says that over the past 36 years, the series has reached a level of trust with the audience.
"They know they're going to get quality. I have a lot of people say 'I've never heard of that artist before, but I'm sure that if you're bringing them in they must be good.' Even after, going out, people will say 'where do you find these artists?' I think there's a confidence there," Cugnet says.
Tickets are available by calling the Arts Council office at 783-8722. Adult and Senior series tickets will be $140 and $130 respectively until July 31. After that date, the prices will increase to $160 to $150. Cugnet notes that the single ticket prices for the year total $350, so buying for the season makes sense even if one can't attend every show.
