Ol’ Boots and the Hoots, The Doll Sisters and Jake Peters will raise their voices in song to benefit the Red Deer Food Bank next week.
The multi-talented Central Alberta musicians will perform at a triple-bill seasonal concert, hosted by CKUA Radio’s David Ward, on Friday, Dec. 5, at The Hub on Ross Street.
The annual event is an audience favourite. “Usually we pack the house, and we’ve had standing ovations,” said staffer Twyla Joy Lapointe, who’s heard people leaving past concerts commenting, “Now it’s really starting to feel like Christmas!”
Performers also like playing at The Hub, which is considered among the finest acoustic halls in the province, added Lapointe. “That’s why Amos Garrett’s asked to come back and play here. He said it’s one of the best-sounding venues.”
The superb environment is due to acoustic tile-like rectangles that hang from the high ceiling — a vestige of the building’s past use as a 1970s-era bank.
Lapointe looks forward to hearing the three local music acts that will be playing for the food bank.
Ol’ Boots and the Hoots are a high-energy rockabilly band from the Red Deer area “that make me want to move,” she said. “It’s hard to be sad when you listen to their music.”
Made up of frontman “Boots,” banjoist Tyler Allen, and bassist Sean VandenBrink, the group is heavily influenced by Hank Williams, Stompin’ Tom Connors and Roger Miller.
The Doll Sisters are a Celtic-flavoured folk/roots duo from Raven who sing haunting harmonic ballads in the vein of The Civil Wars or Alison Krauss and play guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and bodhran.
Peters is a versatile and award-winning entertainer who’s been known to create his own guitars, as well as more innovative and unorthodox instruments. “He’s a real entertainer,” said Lapointe. His many musical stylings include bluegrass, blues, Latin, and gospel.
As well, Magdalene House Society representatives will be selling coffee, chocolates and other free-trade goods at the Hub, and an art show and sale is on-going. (A reception will be held Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.) Tickets to the 7 to 9 p.m. concert are $20 cash at the door. All proceeds will go to the food bank.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com