The E.A. Rawlinson Centre has announced that it will hold a summer series this year, consisting of drive-in concerts held in its parking lot every second Wednesday.
Space is limited to 48 vehicles per show to allow an empty spot between vehicles for social distancing.
The series will kick off with the Bryce Elliot Band on June 9.
“With his Luke Bryan-influenced debut at the Country North Show some 12-plus years Bryce has since proven his flexibility,” the Rawlinson Centre writes.
His show features pop hits from the 70s and 80s and 00s indie rock staples.
Following Elliot is Rod Gjerde on June 23.
A country music singer-songwriter from Blue Heron, Sask, he brings 40 years of experience to the stage. A former Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Male Vocalist of the year nominee, Gjerde has played Craven Big Valley, numerous festivals and opened for Charlie Major in 2019. He’s well-known to local country music artists through his involvement with the local chapter of the SCMA.
The third act is described as “dark doo-wop.” The Garrys, a trio of sisters hailing from the prairies and playing surf music will take the drive-in stage on July 7.
“The Garrys use layered three-part harmonies, hazy sun-bleached melodies, classic lo-fi guitar tones and syncopated surf beats to create a unique ‘doom-wop’ sound, dripping with dark nostalgia and touched by psychedelic dread,” the Rawlinson Centre writes.
“Their music is likely to leave you with an urge to do the Watusi, bittersweet thoughts about slow-dancing with your middle school crush, or a nagging feeling that it’s not quite safe to go back into the water.”
July 21 will see Megan Nash & the Best of the Intentions come to P.A.
Nash is well-known in the Saskatchewan circuit, bringing her folk-pop sound to an array of regional shows.
Hailing from Moose Jaw, Nash was nominated for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for her 2017 album Seeker.
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s been active, finding ways to connect with fans via events like drive-in and virtual shows. Rest assured that if it’s possible, she’ll be following those highway lines in 2021, armed with an album’s worth of brand new tunes.”
From folk-pop to bluegrass, Aug. 4 will see Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys take the Rawlinson stage.
Vaadeland is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, whose sound blends bluegrass and rockabilly. Specializing on banjo, guitar and vocals, Vaadeland also performs in the buegrass duo, Jake and Ira.
The season continued on Aug. 18 with folk artist Allyson Reigh.
Her music has been featured in film, documentaries, tv shows and commercials, including for Co-Op in Western Canada and CBC’s Working Moms.
She’s had songs played on national radio and international satellite radio and sung by choirs in six countries.
She’s a writer too, with credits co-written with Royal Wood, Matt Barger, Murray Pulver and members of the Good Lovelies.
Reigh was part of the award-winning trio Rosie and the Riveters, until they amicably disbanded last September.
While she lives in Saskatoon, teaching singing, songwriting and stage performance, she was born in Prince Albert.
The season finishes up with W3APONS, a Canadian rock trio from Saskatoon.
Their debut single, Off the top of My Heart reached number 11 independently in 2019, and received over 700,000 streams on Spotify.
Their next three releases all independently hit the national top 30, and they were handpicked by Theory of a Deadman to open for all 21 Canadian dates of their 2020 World Tour.
They’ve also shared the stage with The Trews, Monster Truck, Sweeney Todd, the Lazys and the Wild.
Tickets for the drive-in shows are now on sale and available through the Rawlinson Centre box office. Only one ticket is needed per vehicle. You must remain in your car for the performance, but washrooms will be available. If you leave your vehicle, wear a mask. Each vehicle is limited to one household grouping per Saskatchewan Health Authority Guidelines.
Tickets are $42. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit https://www.earc.ca/drive-ins, call 306-765-1270 or visit the box office
