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Immense talent filled the Islay Hall as the Islay Community Association hosted Calvin Vollrath, internationally acclaimed fiddler, on October 10. Approximately 160 people attended and the show also featured Jeremy Rusu from Winnepeg, and Calvin’s wife, step-dancer Rhea Labrie. Though Jeremy was born blind, he can play any instrument he touches. Keeping 95 instruments at home and operating his own recording studio, Jeremy entertained the crowd by harmonizing perfectly with Cal

Left: Ghost Boy Right: Tim Isberg performing Rwanda 25 Years After Photos supplied Allied Arts is excited about their upcoming season of performers at the Lakeland College Alumni Theatre in Vermilion which will feature a variety of genres and talent. Cellist, Christine Hanson, will perform a musical version of ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee’ on October 5, at 8 p.m. It will also feature Canadian artist Ted Harrison’s vibrant paintings projected as a backdrop. ‘Rwanda 25 Years

The Come By The Hills Festival took place on August 16 and 17th at the beautiful Mistahiya hills along the Battle River Valley. There were 12 performances to take in with big names performing. Among them were Angel Forrest, Black Velvet, Dirt Road Angels, El Niven & The Alibi, Funkafeelya, JJ Shiplett, The Northern Pikes, Prairie Sky, The Prairie States, Mr. Rayz, Rosina Cove and Stephan Fearing. Jim Zadorozny mentioned that the crowd persevered through the poor weather cond

The audience swayed along to tender melodies as the Vermilion Folk Club hosted Eileen Laverty on July 23. From Saskatoon, Laverty enjoyed playing in Vermilion and said, “Folk Clubs are volunteer driven, and I’m so grateful that I have the chance to meet everyone and share some music in Vermilion! I’ve wanted to come here for years. She has been performing for over 20 years, and loves making music with her friends, and connecting with people in different ways. One of her t

Approximately 200 people had a blast at the David James and Big River – Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings Tribute on March 28, at the Vermilion Regional Centre. Phil Hagen - drummer and Willie Nelson/Kris Kristofferson vocalist, Allen Metcalf - lead electric guitarist, and backup vocalist and road manager Todd Sacerty added to the show. The musicians cranked out hit after hit and David James interacted and tossed guitar picks into the audience. Audience member Evelyn Webb sai

The Vermilion & District Rotary Music Festival Association held their 2019 Festival from March 25 - 29, with a Final Concert at Parkview Alliance Church on March 31. Participants from all over the region participated in piano, strings, as well as speech and vocal arts. Adjudicators Dr. Bianca Baciu, Adele Bosse – Morgan, and Adam Robertson gave participants compliments and constructive criticism for each performance. “Congratulations to all of you on your preparation for

David James, Johnny Cash tribute artist. Photo submitted David James & Big River will be performing Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings tributes at the Vermilion Regional Centre at 7:30 p.m. on March 28. The show will include a story telling journey featuring a multitude of Johnny Cash hits. Performer, David James, has studied and read his history, and even speaks like him. He participated in a documentary on Johnny Cash, ‘My Father and The Man In Black.’ He is a skilled harmon

The Vermilion Folk Club hosted highly acclaimed artists, Tri-Continental at the Vermilion Legion on March 10. The group of talented musicians has 10 Juno awards for their individual work, and has several albums together showcasing a combination of world, blues, and western music. Tri-Continental had the audience in Vermilion clapping along and even up dancing along with enthusiasm. They played a range of genres including songs from their new album, ‘Dust Dance’. “When yo

Charlie Jacobson charming the Vermilion Folk Club with soulful music on December 8. Photo Angela Mouly The audience was riveted during Charlie Jacobson’s performance for the Vermilion Folk Club at the Legion on December 8. Jacobson’s catchy tunes included new tracks from his upcoming album ‘Draw’, past albums (Alberta Flood, Travelin’, and Muddy Water Blues); as well as covers of Bobby Blue Bland, John Lee Hooker, and B.B. King. His sideburns, and silk embroidered shirt he

The audience was full of cheer and giving as the Parkview Alliance Church hosted Tim & The Glory Boys in Vermilion on October 10. During their third visit to Vermilion, the band performed the Buffalo Roadshow. Playing old and new country songs, they incorporated some of their earlier bluegrass and gospel music. Many were awed to see videos of the bands recent work with World Vision in Uganda. With members of the band coming from Abbotsford, British Columbia and Manitoba,

From left, New North Collective members Pat Braden, Carmen Braden, Diyet, Robert Van Lieshout, and Graeme Peters. Photos Angela Mouly Vermilion Allied Arts hosted New North Collective at Lakeland College’s Alumni Theatre on October 13. “It’s wonderful to showcase the amazing talent that Canada has and share a perspective from the north,” said Caroline MacMillan. New North Collective is a group of individual artists who joined together playing original material about what

Amber Bauer hosted the first Rock Band Camp in Vermilion at Parkview Alliance Church from August 27 – 31. Children were exhilarated with the opportunity to try all kinds of different instruments and focussed heavily on performance. Participants coming from as far away as Saskatoon and Edmonton practiced charting with the Nashville Number System, and had various workshops and air bands. “Air bands teaches them about stage presence. This is a lot of fun and encourages them t

The Come By The Hills Music Festival (CBTH) took place on August 17 and 18 at the beautiful Mistahiya setting. Friday evening began with the opening ceremonies and a tribute to Bill Dobson who passed away in April 2018. According to the CBTH website Dobson was an executive member (Vice President) of the Battle River Music Society – organizers of The Come By The Hills Music Festival - for its first four years. He was instrumental in so many components of the event – reaching o

From left, Kyle Mosiuk, Dana Wylie, Erin Kay, Allyson McIvor, and Harry Gregg. Photo Angela Mouly Her friendly personality sparkled on and off stage as Erin Kay was hosted by the Vermilion Folk Club at the Vermilion Legion on April 28. Kay had previously performed in Vermilion with other artists, but wowed the audience during her “Silver and Gold” CD release performance. A mystical instrumental opening drew the crowd in right away. In March, Kay had a lot of fun attending Jun

From left, Jason Burbine, Gordie “Crazy Legs” MacKeeman, Thomas Webb, and Peter Cann performed at the Vermilion Folk Club on April 11. Photo Angela Mouly Living up to his nickname “Crazy Legs,” Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys were hosted by the Vermilion Folk Club at the Vermilion Legion on April 11. The unique, sprightly performance from the band included MacKeeman incorporating vigorous feet percussion with his 50’s flair tap shoes. The Rhythm Boys just returned fr

The Vermilion & District Rotary Music Festival Association held their 2018 Festival from March 19 – 23, with a Final Concert at Parkview Alliance Church on March 25. The Piano portion was held at the Parkview Alliance Church on March 19 – 20, with children from Lloydminster, Vermilion, Irma, and Wainwright participating. Adjudicator, Joseph Fridman, noted that although music is structure, for participants to not be detached and get to know characters before they begin playing

From left, Ken Stead, Erin Kay and Kyle Mosiuk. Photo Angela Mouly “Vermilion Folk Club has the best listening audience in the world. It’s an honour to be able to present the quality of performances that we offer in this community,” said Wayne Gochee. On November 19, a large crowd gathered at the Vermilion Legion to welcome Ken Stead to the Vermilion Folk Club. The Edmonton based performer has attended Come By The Hills before, but this was his first appearance in Vermilion.