The Arcola Optimist Club is offering area music lovers a Nashville night in the town's historic MacMurray Theatre on Oct. 25, when they welcome Nashville-based singer songwriters Victoria Banks, Phil Barton, and Emily Shackleton to the stage.
"It's going to be a great show," says Glen Lawson of the Arcola Optimist Club. "It's a long story, but my nephew in Moose Jaw, Jared Mathieson, has organized fundraisers for the health foundation there and these artists will be in Moose Jaw on the 24 of October and in Arcola on the 25. They are all terrific artists, based in Nashville."
"Victoria Banks has hosted Telemiracle three times and actually has a new CD that was released Oct. 7. She was named 2010 Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association and has written songs for people like Sara Evans and Johnny Reid," says Lawson. "Phil Barton is from Australia and wrote a number one song for Lee Brice and Emily Shackleton is from Minnesota and has written songs for Reba McEntire, Sara Evans, Wyonna Judd and has had some songs featured on the TV show, 'Nashville.'"
Lawson says that the concert will be modelled on a night at Nashville's famed Bluebird Cafe. "They're all going to be on stage together, playing the hits they've written for other artists and they'll be telling the stories behind the songs. They've played together before, and they're also talented session musicians who live and work in Nashville, so it should be a great show."
A performance of this calibre wouldn't be possible without generous sponsors, adds Lawson. "Eight businesses in the area have generously sponsored the show. They've all helped make this show happen, and we appreciate their support."
"When we started renovating and restoring the Mac, we started from the inside out," says Lawson. "We installed a digital projection system and put in new seats. Inside, it looks a lot nicer now than it did when we started and the acoustics are excellent."
"When Cody Prevost played here, he commented on how great the sound was, and unlike playing in a bar, people are actually looking at the artist and listening to them. The first concert we put on in the Mac was a CD release party and concert for Blake Berglund. We've had Brad Johner and the Johner Boys, too."
"The Mac is a heritage building with a unique art-deco facade. We've done a lot of work on the inside, now we want to shore up the outside," says Lawson. "We have good support from the people from the area who come to the theatre to see movies. Using the theatre as a concert venue allows us to raise funds to restore the theatre while utilizing the Mac's full potential."
"We're expecting a good crowd, so I'd encourage people to buy their tickets in advance. But if they show up at the theatre, we'll do our best to put people in. It's going to be a great show."
'A Night at the Bluebird Cafe' is Oct. 25 at the Mac Theatre, Main Street, Arcola. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling Glen at (306)-577-3250 or Blake at (306)-577-9904.
