General Manager Moe McGuinty had some tricks up his sleeve for the video presentation highlighting the upcoming 2014-15 season at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts.
The preview, shown inside the main theatre June 18, spotlighted the wide range of talent coming to North Battleford including the Vienna Boys Choir, Lunch at Allen's, the Arrogant Worms, the Celtic Tenors, Pavlo, Connie Kaldor, Harry Manx and others.
The video concluded with a preview of Ron Nigrini, a Canadian folk singer-songwriter who is scheduled to close the season on June 11, 2015. He's opened for acts such as the Mamas and the Papas and Kenny Rogers, has been a main stage performer at the Mariposa Folk Festival for many years, and has performed across Canada, the United States and Europe.
It was right after the Nigrini video ended that McGuinty turned to the microphone and sprung a surprise on the unsuspecting audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "Ron Nigrini."
It was at that moment that Nigrini walked on stage with his guitar to cheers and whistles from the 200 or so people on hand for the preview.
Nigrini gave a taste of what will be in store for them for his live show next year, as he performed three of his songs, starting with his 1976 Canadian hit I'm Easy, based on the song from the movie Nashville.
It turns out Nigrini and McGuinty go back a long way.
"He's not only been a dear and loyal friend to me, he's given me many a helping hand in the course of our 40-year friendship," Nigrini told the audience.
The unannounced guest appearance by Nigrini was the highlight of a night that kicked off sales for the upcoming season of performances at the Dekker Centre - the third season of operations at that theatre.
A 14-show season package is being offered for $350 plus GST, which McGuinty said comes to $25 a show.
That is a 35 per cent saving off the retail price of $537 for individual tickets. Priority seating for that full-season package began immediately at the preview evening.
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. Subscription tickets are on sale now but priority seating for that package won't begin until July 3.
Tickets for individual shows go on sale July 17. The Dekker Centre box office is open weekdays except Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m, or tickets can be purchased online at www.dekkercentre.com.
Here is a rundown of what those in the Battlefords can expect during the coming season at the Dekker Centre as part of the 14-show season package. The curtain rises for every show at 8 p.m.
The season begins Sept. 3 with A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, a musical tribute show to the legendary country music artist. It is a play produced by the Globe Theatre and tickets are $40 plus GST.
The Canadian blues band Monkey Junk appears Sept. 24. They are the most decorated Canadian blues band in recent memory, winning the 2012 Juno for blues album of the year for To Behold. They have won 15 Maple Blues Awards since 2008.
Fans of the piano will not want to miss the performance of Sofia Mycyk, a multiple performance winner in local and provincial music festivals who has performed as far away as Aix-en-Provence and Vaison-la Romaine in France and other international festivals. Mycyk performs Oct. 5.
Lunch at Allen's features Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas, who as individuals have sung or written for over 25 million CDs. They are described as "Canadian song writing royalty" and have penned hits for Chicago, Santaga, Cher, Rod Stewart and many others. They have now come together to play their familiar hits and some new songs as Lunch at Allen's, which will play on Oct. 9.
Hank Williams Live 1952 is a tribute to the music of Williams, as performed by Joe Matheson, described by Rob Wellan of the Grand Theatre in London, Ont. as "the quintessential voice of Hank Williams." That show runs Nov. 10 and the cost is $40 plus GST.
One of the more anticipated shows of the season happens Nov. 17. The world-famous Vienna Boys' Choir, one of the best known boys' choirs on the globe, will be performing at the Dekker Centre. The boys are mainly selected from Austria, but from many other countries as well.
The country band High Valley is the attraction Nov. 25. Curtain rises at 8 p.m.
The troupe Arrogant Worms will be on hand Dec. 13 for their show entitled A Christmas Turkey. The troupe has released 14 CDs and has toured Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Audiences can expect them to spoof and parody different styles of music as well as aspects of daily life in Canada.
Fans of the music of the Eagles will want to circle Feb. 6 on their calendar. That is the date for the Original Eagles Tribute, Hotel California, to play at the Dekker Centre.
March 9 will feature the uplifting guitar-work of Pavlo and his Mediterranean-style music.
Back by popular demand are the Celtic Tenors, who return to the Dekker Centre March 25.
The prairie music of Saskatchewan-based artist Connie Kaldor will be the highlight on April 10.
Another act returning to the Dekker Centre by popular demand is Harry Manx. He returns May 9.
Finally, Ron Nigrini wraps the season up June 11.
Outside of the season package, the Dekker Centre promises a number of other shows throughout the coming year as well, including the Battlefords Community Theatre, the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band, the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra and other performances.
Also, May 2, 2015 is slated for another annual Celebrate the Arts fundraiser in support of the Dekker Centre. That event is slated to feature the best of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival followed by Dueling Pianos.
