They come onto stage sharply dressed like early century snake oil salesmen. The performance brings a potent cocktail of rockabilly, outlaw country and steampunk swing and evolves into a show delivering a performance featuring the raw energy of AC/DC. Wetaskiwin based Punch Drunk Cabaret will be the opening act at the concert in the Drill Hall on July 10 followed by classic rocker, Kim Mitchell. Two high energy, versatile, crowd pleasing exciting acts available for the modest price of $45+ GST.
“It’s personally satisfying for me to have grown up in Wetaskiwin, listening to all those great Kim Mitchell hits on the radio and now having the opportunity to play an event together”, modestly stated Randy Bailer, musician with the group Punch Drunk.
“To be on a bill with a classic rocker like Kim Mitchell is a rewarding indication that our show and musical style has grown beyond being a local rockabilly band. In Beaumont, we’re playing with current pop acts such as Hawksley Workman and Chantal Kreviasik, and in Edmonton we’re kicking off a classic rock festival featuring Pat Benatar. It’s very important to build that wider appeal if an act hopes to be successful.”
Heading up the concert is Canadian rock icon, Kim Mitchell,. “You will be able to rock to those 80’s classic hits “Go For Soda”, “Rock N Roll Duty”, “Patio Lanterns”, “I’m A Wild Party”, “Easy To Tame” and “All We Are”, to name just a few – all songs that have become part of the Canadian musical landscape. Tickets are available at the chamber office for $45+ GST.
Judi Best, executive director of the Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce and point person for planning of the Wetaskiwin Summer Festival, is juggling a variety of tasks; schedule of events, posters, advertisements, recruiting volunteers, seeking permission to access locations. The chamber office is an organized flurry of activity.
“A carnival atmosphere will electrify the city” predicts Best. “The festival begins on Friday, July 10, with the thrilling midway lining up along Main Street from 53 Street to 50 Street. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday morning starting on Main Street (55 Street) and a hop skip and jump one block north and back onto Main Street ending at 47 Street.”
Go down the midway on Main Street and re-capture the smell of cotton candy and hotdogs that only a carnival can provide. Enjoy the thrill of the rides. “Once again, Friday will be wristband day (valid from 4 p.m. to closing) for $30 plus a donation to the food bank and can be purchased at the chamber office, city hall and the Best Western Wayside Inn.”
New for 2015 - SunShine Fiesta In The Park
SunShine Fiesta In The Park, new to Summer Festival, will be taking place in Jubilee Park (just east of the water tower) in the heart of Wetaskiwin. The park will be buzzing Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with outdoor pavilions hosting a vendor marketplace enhanced by entertainment offered by local musicians and many other family-friendly activities.
Best claims, “This new addition to the Wetaskiwin Summer Festival will confirm this is just another added feature that is our goal of making Summer Festival the event of the summer”.
The Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce thanks our partners with their support of the Wetaskiwin Summer Festival. “The event is a tremendous amount of work,” concludes Best, “but as planning is progressing we are excited about how the community is jumping in and supporting this event. Our goal is to provide Wetaskiwin and region with an event that exceeds expectations. We are well on our way to doing that.”
‘What we want to offer Summer Festival 2015’
Bailer added, “I’ve always felt that an opening act has the responsibility of putting the audience into an enthusiastic, partying mood so that when the headliner comes on, the event kicks into the next level. So for that reason I think PDC makes an excellent opener. For the uninitiated, we play a mix of rockabilly, rockin’ country and guitar driven swing that’s custom made for having a few drinks and hitting the dance floor. Even though the music is on the rootsier-side, we perform it like an arena rock band. So for those who just like to sit back and watch, they’re treated to a pretty energetic show. I’d highly recommend picking up a CD at Warrens Music and getting familiar with the songs before the show. It’s that much more fun when you know the songs.”