PLAIN FOLK Busy summer has Folk Music Club heading towards
first concert series They've got a grant, they've got venues, they've got performers. The Medicine Hat Folk Music Club is on its way. "Things have been going amazingly well -- at warp speed. Everybody's trying to catch their breath after a really busy summer," said club chair Les Pearson, hours after the group received a $1,000 start-up initiative grant from the City. "We met with the mayor. He said he lends his support to our club and to our efforts to establish a concert series and festival." Since the group had their first meeting four months ago, the dream of bringing a folk music concert series -- and ultimately a festival -- to the city is rapidly becoming a reality. Right now, the group has reached 60 members, and is in the final stage of booking a four-concert series starting this fall. While the rest of the performers are still to be confirmed, Pearson said a highlight of the series will be a concert by renowned folk musician Harry Manx. The first informal concert is slated for Sept. 21 at the Marseille Cafe, and will feature Mike Stack and Ron Mason in a private performance for Folk Music Club members only. Next week, the group will give final reading to their constitution, and hopefully confirm the rest of the concert series, said Pearson. "All this for an organization that's been in existence for four months," he said. "We sold our first membership in June." Working on a five-year plan, Pearson said the club wants a one-day folk music festival in three years, and a two-day festival in five years. So far, things are right on schedule. "This whole thing has been very exhilarating. There is all this enthusiasm and a real commitment to make the thing happen," he said. "We will do it, it's just a question of how long it will take to have a festival." Folk Club memberships are $5, and can be obtained
by calling 526-4676, or at the Farmer's Market on Sept. 7. |