By Roger White

New season of Dekker Centre opens with Canadian tribute

Sep 6, 2017 | 8:00 AM

The fifth season of the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts is set to kick off and if the 2016-17 season was any indication of what audiences can expect; this year will be one to remember.

Moe McGuinty, Dekker Centre general manager, said to see it all come together is exciting.

“I like to work one year in advance so every act you see this season was booked last September,” McGuinty said. “It’s going to be a terrific season.”

Over the past four years the Dekker Centre has built a reputation as a “must-play” location for many world class performers, he said.

“The quality of the shows gets better every year because artists hear about the Dekker Centre and they want to play here,” he said. “Countless times last year I heard from performers that we have one of the finest venues in Western Canada.”

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“When you hear compliments like that the booking deals get better from artists who call you and ask if there is any availability,” McGuinty added. “That is very humbling.”

McGuinty attributes the venue’s accolades to his staff.

“The performers say our people make the difference,” he added. “Whether it’s the office staff, the sound people or the technical guys, they rave about them.”

Like their fourth season, McGuinty said will be something for everyone gracing the George Tootoosis Memorial Stage this year.

“Whether its rock, country, dance, folk, blues; you name it we will have it at the Dekker Centre,” McGuinty said. “It’s our mandate to bring different genres of entertainment to the area.”

The season kicks off on Sept. 14 with Oh, Canada, We Sing for Thee! 

“Our first show is timely with Canada’s 150th anniversary,” said McGuinty.” I’ll bet the audience will know every word to almost every song they perform.”

The two-hour trip down memory lane will be performed by Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band and will feature music ranging from Shania Twain, Gordon Lightfoot, the Tragically Hip and Leonard Cohen just to name a few.

“We are very excited to be kicking off our 28-city tour in North Battleford,” Way said. “I’m really proud to be bringing this celebration of Canadian music and story-telling across the country to celebrate Canada 150.”

The Dekker Centre show will be the show’s debut in Saskatchewan.

Tickets for the Sept. 14 show are available at the Dekker Centre office or on their website.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW