Summer Sessions in Stony is a free eight-week concert series in the park. The event is two weeks into its third year with concert event number three going on July 5. The shows take place in Shikaoi Park beside Stony Plain’s Town Hall and go rain or shine, at 7pm each Wednesday until the finale on August 9. Summer Sessions is still in it’s infancy but is steadily growing each year. The first season saw an average of seventy-five attend over the course of the eight weeks. Originally, the event was held on Thursday evenings. The thinking was that the downtown shops were open later and the concerts could benefit from increased traffic in the downtown core. As the series progressed, the Town heard from merchants that wanted to get out and see the talent that was playing in their own backyard. The premiere of this series included many local artists who performed about a one hour during their event. That first year included; The Command Sisters, Kevin Frey, Gord Schindell, Alyssa Strand, Danielle Edge, Todd Wandio and award winning country artist Duane Steele. There was also a special off site performance by Royal Tusk and Amber Haydey.
As the second season was being planned, the day was moved to the current Wednesday. The lineup was more diverse than 2015 and the average attendance jumped to on hundred twenty-five with a couple of the shows seeing over two hundred in the Park. One of those shows was Juno Award winner Russell deCarle of Prairie Oyster. Joining deCarle was; Jake Mathews, The Orchard, A Gentleman’s Pact, Brock Andrews, Rebecca Lappa, Post Script and The Doll Sisters
The 2017 version of Summer Sessions is the most diverse of the three seasons. No matter your taste, their will be something for you in Stony Plain on a Wednesday evening. The reality of Summer Sessions is that no matter genre of music is your preference, the intimacy of the small greenspace combined with live entertainment makes for a great night and is something suitable for all ages. The 7pm start time allows for dinner after work before heading out and the hour set means that you can still get your beauty sleep. Didn’t have time for that dinner? Don’t fret, your tummy will not be doing jumps and turns. The Stony Plain Youth Center is on site each week. The concession, which includes burgers, dogs and popcorn is manned by volunteers from the center and all proceeds go to benefit the youth of Stony Plain.
On a blustery June 21, Ontario artist Craig Cardiff kicked off the season. The wind was incredible but still, one hundred three brave soles came out to a show to be remembered. Cardiff is a very interactive artist, having picked a couple from the crowd to talk to about halfway through the set. As he strummed his guitar, he was continually asking questions as to how they met, their first kiss and such. As the discussion ended, the strumming turned into a one of a kind love song that they will not soon forget. If that wasn’t enough, Cardiff then brought Byron and this writer on stage to act out the words to his next song. Not knowing what was coming, it could have been a disaster. Kudos out to Byron for going along and thanks to the crowd for being genuinely amused. As this show wrapped up, a couple arrived that had to make an baby check stop at the hospital and as such, missed the performance. Cardiff, in trued Canadian fashion, took the couple to the pagoda at the back of the park and sang about a half a dozen songs, just for them. One of those was like the interactive song earlier in the night. He asked them questions about the impending birth and made notes on a Summer Sessions poster. You guessed it, the result was a one of a kind couple’s song with the memory in writing. Expectant mothers sometimes don’t need much to make them cry and this moment was no exception.
The following week, Juno Award winning Roots Artist, Joey Landreth of the Bros Landreth stopped by to play a solo event. As he had flown in for the show, I had the chance to get to know this young man as we drove back from the airport and at dinner later. He is a gracious and likable gent, continuing to prove the Canadian stereotype. As his set progressed, he told the stories of the road and the writers of the songs, his and others. The music was more easy listening, almost more bluesy than anything else. The line dividing most genres of music is blurry these days, so call it what you want, but it was very enjoyable and entertaining. The set including both acoustic and an electric guitar, allowing for that bluesy bending of the strings that only an electric can do. As the set ended, with over a hundred applauding. Relatives that may not have seen Joey in sometime came to say hello. They did have to wait a bit, Landreth was very busy selling CDs to those that stayed after the show for a chat, picture and autograph. This is something unique to this festival, or maybe it’s the size. After the show, all are encouraged to stay behind and say hello. In just over two years, no artist has turned anyone away. While planning for 2018 is already under way, the last six weeks of 2017 are going to be some of the best yet and will bring the sound of music to Stony Plain. On tap and in order over the next Wednesdays beginning July 5; Lexi Srate, Ann Vriend, Lucette, Matt Blais, local artists The Soap Box Duo and closing Summer Sessions 2017, Canadian Country Music Award winner, Adam Gregory. I am excited for what is happening just west of Edmonton and invite you all to join us for a truly rare experience and concert event.
- Jazz Matthews -
SUMMER SESSIONS IN STONY (PLAIN) PART ONE