Grand opening of Strathcona Performing Arts Centre sees surprise Kissel performance
Locals were treated to a spectacular surprise at the grand opening of the Strathcona Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening.
Brett Kissel went on stage as the special guest performance at the end of the affair, after a land acknowledgement from Corita Vachon of the Lakeland Society for Truth & Reconciliation, a blessing from pastor Graham McDonald, messages from local dignitaries Elisa Brosseau and Barry Kalinski, Strathcona Resources, and the official ribbon cutting.
Clayton Bellamy performed for the first time on stage himself, along with renowned St. Paul fiddler Calvin Vollrath, who will be playing their in August.
The Kissel piece, as one of the area’s best homegrown talent, tied the importance of all the work from a dedicated board of volunteers on the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts together. Like many in the Lakeland, he got his start playing at the old Lyle Victor Albert Centre.
“To spearhead this with this foundation, and to understand the importance of the arts in this community — and with him and the help of so many of you — to raise the $2.7 million that was needed to keep the arts alive in Bonnyville, Clayton, I can’t imagine the amount of work that you and your team put into this,” Kissel said to the assembled crowd.
“This building is going to last 50 years, maybe a hundred years, and you’re the guy to thank, you did an amazing job.”
The theatre is filling up with entertainment in the coming weeks and months, with the next show being the Heartstrings & Honky Tonk performance on CFCW on Saturday, plus multiple showings of Annie next weekend thanks to BCHS.
After multiple Golf & Gala events on Labour Day weekend, private sponsorships, provincial government grants, municipal support from the City of Cold Lake, and the final loan from the Town of Bonnyville, the theatre is almost paid for.
Mike Plume was the theatre’s first performer back in March, and since then, they’ve also hosted one Lakeland Live event meant for young and upcoming talent.
Snippets
“A dream three years in the making, brought to life by the commitment of so many people who believe in the power of arts, and bringing people together….This $2.7 million project right here in the heart of the Lakeland is more than a building. It’s a stage for our stories, home for our artists, and a space for our kids imagination and expression to thrive.” – Clayton Bellamy
“In a world seduced by manipulative algorithms and Tiktok trends, the performing arts deliver an old-fashioned flesh and blood, eye-to-eye, communal experience, that can’t be replicated by any iPhone or computer screen. The performing arts is as real as it gets, baby.” – Lyle Victor Albert
“The opening of this theatre is the culmination of a long-standing vision, one that has been brought to life by passion and countless hours of hard work. It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen alone, it took a community of people who believe in the value of arts and what this space could mean.” – Mayor Elisa Brosseau
“Oh behalf of myself, my council, and the great people of the MD of Bonnyville, we are so proud that this performing centre is here. We couldn’t be any happier.” – Reeve Barry Kalinski
“At Strathcona we believe having a dedicated space for artistic interests and passions is critical to developing a sense of belonging and community. We are sthrilled to be part of this landmark project and that the Strathcona Performing Arts will provide the opportunity to support young and promising young artists to follow their dreams, while entertaining the community.” – Strathcona Resources COO Dale Babiak
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