Heidi Munro and Soul Sensation performed opening weekend at She-NANAGINS. (Facebook/She-NANIGANS)

By Martin Martinson

Talent and entertainment

‘Offering something different’: She-NANIGANS carving out niche with local entertainment focus

Feb 25, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Since first opening their doors earlier this month, the She-NANIGANS performing arts venue is quickly earning a reputation for its diverse acts and local flavour.

From Saskatchewan-made liquor cocktails to dishes featuring provincially-harvested ingredients; everything down to the food and drink offers something unique to the community, region or province, acting as a subtle nod to what makes the Battlefords’ community truly unique.

“It’s been exciting, and is being really well received,” Kelly Waters said of the early response from those who have attended.

Waters and longtime friend, Glennda Ilett started She-NANIGANS together out of a common goal to make a special place in the community where people can go to enjoy arts and entertainment in a relaxing and all-encompassing atmosphere.

Waters said already the fruits of their labour are beginning to take hold, with the establishment getting the thumbs up from various perspective performers.

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“When artists come in, even to take a look planning ahead for performing there, they are really excited to see that we have a quality built-in sound system [and] that the stage is built in a way to really feature artists,” she said. “They know when they come in they are going to be the focus and listening to them will be the focus.”

She-NANIGANS opened its doors with a Celtic-themed weekend Feb. 14 and 15, and are looking ahead to a busy month of March to follow.

Kicking off with a free open mic night March 6; Saskatoon indie rock band, the Pistolwhips will then be in house March 7; with a local rock band called Hafford’s Brothers G March 13.

In the months to follow, the venue will host a mariachi band, and is hopeful for a wine tasting night as well, among the entertainment.

That diversity is also an intentional move by the She-NANIGANS’ founders to provide a wide array of acts for people of all walks to enjoy, bringing a unique twist to the local entertainment scene.

“It is very important [to include diverse acts]. We want to have all genres featured with quality, [while] supporting local, and supporting alternative music and live entertainment,” Waters said.

“It is an adventure,” Ilett added. “It’s something different [and] there is nothing like us around in the Battlefords and specifically purposely-built to house entertainment.”

The She-NANIGANS performance venue is located at the former Ukrainian Slava Centre and old North Battleford City Kinsmen Band Hall, at 792-108th Street.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1