Quality entertainment coming to Hoosier
By Joan Janzen
People in rural communities who are accustomed to driving long distances to enjoy quality entertainment are about to be pleasantly surprised. On November 5th, performers from the three prairie provinces will be entertaining at the Hoosier Community Hall, 40 km northwest of Kindersley.
Laura Hayes, a singer/songwriter living north of Alsask, organized the event and is one of the entertainers for the evening. “Music has been a part of my life since I was very young, and I found we’re all missing the chance to perform for people. It’s an ache in our bones to do it again,” she explained. “So I thought I’ll just plan it on my own because opportunities are few and far between.”
Three of her friends, who are seasoned performers, readily agreed to participate not only at Hoosier but also at The Barn in Herschel (northeast of D’Arcy) on Sunday afternoon. The three gentlemen are Diamond Doug Keith from Winnipeg, Ed Brown from Oak Lake, Manitoba, and BJ Smith from Linden, AB.
Doug Keith is a cowboy poet, humorist, storyteller, cowboy cartoonist and western painter whose artwork has earned numerous awards. His poetry is varied, passing down folklore and ranging from sad to hilarious.
Ed Brown is a singer/songwriter, cowboy poet, and a true western entertainer who performs his original compositions. His performances are an expression of a lifelong love of rural living.
BJ Smith is a cowboy poet who has worn many hats. He’s an author, horse trainer, riding coach, packer, mountain guide, clinician, ski patrol instructor, and had a full career in the RCMP, where he had years of service in the Arctic. Those experiences lend a richness to his storytelling, sharing real-life adventures in his professional and comical performance.
Laura selected Hoosier hall as the venue because of the community’s connection to the Bea Bank 4H Beef Club, as proceeds (after expenses) will be donated to the Club. “It’s a good community for that type of thing; there’s a pretty appreciative audience, and their functions are always well attended,” Laura said. “There’s not much happening at Hoosier, but when there is something happening, people come out for it.”
Although it’s challenging putting on events when you don’t know how many people will come out, Laura hopes to have lots of proceeds to give to the 4H Club. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a full house,” she said.
A delicious lunch will be served during the intermission, and each of the performers will have merchandise available. “We’ll give away some merchandise and have a door prize,” Laura said. “But the real prize is the entertainment!”
“Each of the artists will have a bit of time on their own, and then we’ll all get together and play off each other,” Laura said. “It’s so much fun when we get to sit on the stage together, joke and interact with each other.”
It looks like it will be a fun evening. “There’s something very special about people gathering together; it’s what keeps communities alive,” Laura observed. It’s what has motivated Laura to go to all the effort to plan the November 5th event, where people will be entertained, be able to visit with friends and help the 4H Club along the way.