Music pairs with laughter
Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor
Rosebud anniversary celebrations are in full swing and the May 16-18 weekend is packed with entertainment.
On May 16, at 3:00 p.m., members of churches within the tri corners of Three Hills, Drumheller and Strathmore will share in a free Unity in Christ worship service at the Rosebud Church, led by Rosebud Covenant Church Pastor Ray Wall and Adam Furfaro, Executive Director of Rosebud Centre of the Arts. Brian Doerksen, his band and Morris Ertman will lead a panel discussion entitled ‘Storytelling through Worship’ after the service at 4:30 p.m.
“The afternoon session on Thursday is free and open to anyone and everyone,” offers Furfaro. “Our prayer is that pastors, church leaders, worship team members and congregants from the area churches of all denominations will retreat to this valley to spend a time of prayer and fellowship together.”
Doerksen will follow that up with a dinner show, at the Opera House Stage, 8 p.m. The concert will highlight some of Doerksen’s songs, supplemented with songs based on The Psalms. Concert-goers will be delighted by the percussive zaniness of Calum Rees, and be moved by the mournful melodies of Brian Thiessen’s electric guitar and the ethereal vocals of Teresa Trask.
On Friday, May 17, there is also a free workshop for worship teams with Doerksen and his band at the Akokiniskway Gallery in Rosebud from 1-2 p.m. Space is limited, so RSVP to mitzyf@rosebudcentreofthearts.com. There will also be an evening show May 17.
Doerksen is a Juno award winner, known worldwide for his music, performing to large stage audiences and intimate crowd settings. He has an impressive lineup of worship music CD’s and after 8 years of writing, in collaboration with Christopher Greco a double album called Prodigal God. It is the musical tale of two sons and one wastefully extravagant father. The story of the prodigal son and his father seen through the eyes of the elder brother. For a taste of his latest album, Level Ground and other music go to briandoerkson.com. His CDs will be on sale at the venue.
“Brian has come to Rosebud a couple of times as a patron. When I asked him to bring his band to Rosebud, he was thrilled because we both saw it as a way of introducing his fans to our community. Brian has a big heart for the collaboration of people of faith, so his presence in Rosebud is a great fit.
He believes in story, in faith that is dynamic and changing and spirit-led. And as for his music, he is a worship artist who is on the leading edge of that exploration,” said Rosebud Theatre Artistic Director Morris Ertman.
Tickets to Brian Doerksen in Concert and Rosebud’s fabulous all-you-can-eat buffet range from $50 to $71. Seating for dinner in the Rosebud Mercantile begins at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
The improv group Panic Squad is out to prove clean jokes can be funny, on Saturday, May 18, with a workshop on the Studio Stage from 2-3:30 p.m, followed with a show at 7:30 p.m. on the Opera House stage.
Their website describes the improve process as a relationship involving audience members and the show comes with a Funny guarantee. Team members Frank Nichel, Dave Swan and John Voth will be interacting with the audience to generate hilarious situations.
Ever notice how, when something really strikes you as funny, you automatically look to the person next to you to see if they caught it too? It’s human nature to want to share a laugh with someone. We all create, we’re all geniuses, and we all win. www.panicsquad.com
Tickets to Panic Squad range between $20 and $25 (no meal). For those who would like dinner before the performance, Wild Horse Jack’s Bistro and Grill is now taking reservations at 1-877-987-2999 or 403-677-2999. Panic Squad workshop: $20 +GST. Workshop and performance: $35 + GST.
Tickets for Doerksen and Panic Squad performances can be purchased through the Rosebud Theatre Box Office at 1-800-267-7553.
To register for the UNITY IN CHRIST event or the Worship
Leader’s workshop, please email mitzyf@rosebudcentreofthearts.com.