Another week of summer fun in Rosebud

 

Rosebud gives us another week, and reason, to celebrate the summer of 2013.

Rod Beattie brings his one-man comedy play, Letter from Wingfield Farm, to the Opera House for four dinner-theatre shows, Aug. 28-30.

“The story is about a ‘city slicker’ who moves to a rural area to become a farmer, a simpler way of life,” says Mark Lewandowski, General Manager of Rosebud Centre of the Arts. 

Walt Wingfield writes letters to the editor of the local paper, describing his success – or lack thereof – at farming.

“That cross connection between rural and urban is a big part of Rosebud,” Lewandowski says. “Our audiences will relate and appreciate the collision of the two. Plus, Rod (Beattie) is such a great actor.”

People who’ve seen the show “often tell us we must have had their community in mind,” Beattie says. “It’s as if every Canadian farming community has a Freddy, (jack of all trades), a Squire (elder statesman), a Willy and Dave (younger, out-there-on-the-edge guys), a Don (the one successful farmer).”

“The shows are family friendly, so it goes across age groups,” says Lewandowski. “All our audience will (enjoy it).”

Letter from Wingfield Farm tickets are selling quickly at www.rosebudtheatre.com. Visit gift shops and art galleries before the show, and linger at Thorny Rose Cafe afterward.

On Sept. 1, from 12 Noon to 10 p.m., we can go back for Rosebud’s annual outdoor music festival, 15 Minutes of Fame, in the green space next to the Opera House.

Carmen Paterson, the festival’s co-founder and artistic director, says it highlights musicians of all genres, who have one thing in common — they’re local. “People are excited to see local musicians rock it out on a small little stage in Rosebud,” she says. “Lots of the musicians. … are from Rosebud or from Redland or Drumheller or from Strathmore.”

“And we’re all about promoting people who are brand new,” she says. 3LIMIN8, a 14-year-old boy from Wetaskiwin, will play original dupstep music. Me. and the Mrs., Justine Vandergrift, Lewis and Royal, Jessica Benini, Kyla Ferrier, the Heartwicks, and Travis Friesen will also perform. 

It’s “exciting to see people you know and to follow their career,” Paterson says. “It feels pretty personal.”

The festival shows off other arts, too. 

“One of our most popular things,” Paterson says, is Randall Wiebe’s improv painting. The crowd watches Wiebe paint the portrait of an audience volunteer — in just 15 minutes. Festival visitors can also wander down Vendors Lane and into the Art Tent. Thorny Rose Cafe and Wild Horse Jack’s Bistro will also be open.

Paterson encourages us to bring cash, and prepare for any weather. If it’s too wet, the event will move indoors.

Those who go to Rosebud the day before can enjoy an open mic session at the Thorny Rose Cafe, hosted by Rosebud alumni Jessica Benini and Aaron Krogman. Doors open at 7 pm; open mic starts at 8. The $7 cover charge includes chili and chips.

Learn more at www.rosebudmusicfestival.com. Advance tickets: $18/individual and $45/families. At the gate: $20/$50.