How do you solve a problem like Maria?
The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts will be offering something completely out of the ordinary this weekend 鈥� a chance to sing along to the most successful movie musical of all time.
鈥淔ifty years ago something happened that took over the world,鈥� says Moe McGuinty, manager. 鈥淚t was the biggest movie of all time. It鈥檚 the 50th birthday of that movie this year and a new phenomenon has taken over the world.鈥�
More than 300 tickets have been sold for a chance to warble along with the movie stars Saturday evening.
Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music is an interactive audience participation entertainment that has become a world-wide phenomenon. The audience is encouraged to join in as much or as little as they want as the movie is screened with subtitles to sing along to. Many people dress up in costume to add to the fun, and there will be prizes for the best costumes.
The evening begins with a 30-minute pre-film show during which the host leads the audience through a vocal warm-up. The "nuns" who took part in the preview night earlier this year will be back to help out. The audience is also prepared for special moments throughout the film. There will also be a costume competition.
Everyone will receive a free fun pack with special props for the 鈥渕agic moments鈥� to come.
The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts season opened Sept. 12 with Dances of India, featuring Saskatchewan talent.
The following weekend, a Rod Stewart tribute and a performance by Saskatchewan country artist Codie Prevost, winner of 12 Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards, moved the season along.
This Friday, there will be a tribute to U2, and Saturday features the Sound of Music sing along.
From Oct. 22 to 24, the Battlefords Community Players will be performing their first play of their season. Noises Off is a satire of life in the theatre, called the funniest farce ever written by New York Magazine.
Sunday, Oct. 25 will see a performance by the Claire Lynch Band. Claire Lynch has soaring references from such talents as Dolly Parton, EmmyLou Harris and Linda Ronstadt and her songs have been recorded by artists such as Patty Loveless and Kathy Mattea.
The Louisiana Hayride is back Oct. 30 featuring tributes to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and Roy Orbison.
Moving into November, there's something for the kids. Bobs & Lolo - Sing, Dance & Play Tour With Special Guest Rockin Robin. Bobs & Lolo have recently been named Canada's Favourite Kids' Entertainer in a nationwide poll by CBC Music. They perform Nov. 10.
The Gallery Singers of North Battleford will be performing Sunday, Nov. 8, conducted by Jan Michael Bourgeois and accompanied by Dianne Gryba. Special guest will be Lorraine Reinhardt, soprano from the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
Nov. 14 will see a tribute to Metallica, the most successful heavy metal band of today.
An Evening With Frank Mills, the internationally known pianist is taking place Nov. 17.
November will also see the annual Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees ringing in the festive season at the Dekker Centre. The three-day event, Nov. 20, 21 and 22 will feature seasonally decorated items up for sale by silent auction. Santa will visit Sunday morning.
December's entertainment will begin Dec. 4 with a performance by the superb vocalists of Quartette, made up of Cindy Church, Sylvia Tyson, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick.
Dec. 6, the North Battleford City Kinsmen Concert Band will present Music for a Winter Day, under the direction of Jackie Kroczynski.
There will be more Christmas entertainment by the Ennis Sisters who will present Celtic Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 12. Maureen, Karen and Teresa have three gold records, a Juno Award and a CBC Christmas Special to their credit.
December's performances wrap up with WinterSong, featuring the Battlefords Junior Choir, Battlefords Preparatory Choir, Kamala Youth Choir, Gallery Singers and special guests under the artistic direction of Dianne Gryba and JoAnne Kasper.
Scheduled for the new year are the U of S Jazz Ensemble and U of S College Ensemble, Jeffery Straker, Les Ballet Jazz de Montr茅al, Ring of Fire 鈥� the Music of Johnny Cash, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Marie-Jos茅e Lord, the Kiwanis Music Festival, North Battleford City Kinsmen Band's Celebration of Spring, the Leahys in Song, the Svoboda Dance Festival, the National Youth Band of Canada and Susan Aglukark.
