By LANA MICHELIN
ADVOCATE STAFF
Board game/improv nights, a ‘secret’ party, a retro musical revue …
Bull Skit Comedy is teaming up with three different community partners to bring some novel entertainment options to Red Deer.
Jenna Goldade, artistic director of Against the Wall Theatre, said Bull Skit is partnering with Bower Ponds Recreation, the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery and local filmmaker Harley Hay on some engaging events.
l Board game nights at the Bower Ponds Pavilion will now include Bull Skit improvisations and sketches once a month. On the first Thursday, Bull Skit cast members will come to the pavilion to entertain with some game-related improv plot lines. “Then everybody can hang out and play board games after,” said Goldade.
Then, on the third Friday of the month, the pavilion’s board games will be brought over to the Scott Block and players can come to the theatre for improv entertainment and gaming opportunities.
Jonathan Strome, owner/operator of Bower Ponds Recreation said there was great reaction to an improv-board game night that was piloted last summer. “It sold out. People enjoyed it quite a bit.”
Strome sees natural parallels between live theatre and gaming, since both require participants to put themselves in imaginary situations. ‘“When you’re getting into a game it cam become real. In Monopoly, you might feel like you really own those houses and hotels.”
As the weather cools, Strome believes board game nights will get busier as happened last winter. From Oct. 17 to Nov. 13, he’s launching a 30-day pilot project to have board game nights, seven days a week, with different themes and tournaments (For more information, please visit www.bowerponds.ca).
“We’re testing the waters,” he added, to determine how many nights the community is willing to support.
l A ‘secret party’ will be held on Nov. 18 by Bull Skit and the Red Deer Museum and Art gallery — although news of it is already being announced on posters around the city.
Goldade said you can’t just show up for the prohibition-themed party called Blind Bull Tiger. Those who want to attend will get some clues and have to figure out how to get in. Goldade hints there will be a lockout room-like chamber and only those who guess right can pass through to the party.
Guests will enjoy music (singer Mandy McKee, saxophonist Troy Davis), refreshments and live Bull Skit entertainment. They can either dress up in 1920s style or don costume pieces provided to party-goers. Tickets are $50 until Oct. 18 from the museum or www.bullskitcomedy.com — they will then increase in price as the party is a fundraiser for Bull Skit and the museum.
l Time Machine: A Love Story and Retro Rock ‘N’ Roll Revue will be held at the Scott Block Nov. 3-11. It’s being produced by local musician/filmmaker and Advocate columnist Harley Hay, in association with Bull Skit Comedy.
Described as: “A brand new show with a variety of who’s-who local musicians and amazing singers, cherry picked from a half dozen area bands, all gathered together into a one-of-a-kind super-group.”
Local musicians will play some classic rock tunes to a love-themed story line, enacted by local actor/singer Kayla Williams (of The Dirrty Show) and Ryan Marchant and Josh Baynes (of the band Oldbury).
Tickets will be available from eventbrite.ca.
Goldade said she’s willing to try different things because she wants theatre to be successful in Red Deer. If local groups support each other, “and we can get people going out, we will have a more creative, vibrant community.”
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com