Last Friday, Athabasca was treated to a very special show with Tom Cochrane stopping by to rock out at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, bringing yet another big music performance to our little town. First off, the show was great.
Last Friday, Athabasca was treated to a very special show with Tom Cochrane stopping by to rock out at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, bringing yet another big music performance to our little town.
First off, the show was great. Seeing everyone from the Athabasca, Boyle and even Slave Lake fill up the field house to see the Canadian rock legend and a certain number of fans (including myself) run up to the stage to get an up close experience you would not get anywhere else.
It will certainly be an experience I will not soon forget, but let's not forget what else this community has to offer in terms of musical entertainment.
During the concert, I was waiting in line to pick up some beverages, when I overheard somebody say ‘It'd be cool to have shows like this more often.' I just thought to myself, “What about the Magnificent River Rats? Or the Heartwood Folk Club? ” These are two great volunteer not for profit organizations that literally hold music shows in this great town every single year. Is that not often enough?
Now, giving the benefit of the doubt that the person may not be from this area, and comparing Tom Cochrane to our local organizations is a little like comparing the NHL to the WHL. However, if you are a fan of hockey you still enjoy watching both and the same should be said for live music.
I will admit, Friday's show was certainly a different atmosphere than the Nancy Appleby Theatre. Seeing the Multiplex field house packed up fill of rock fans with the big stage made it feel like I was catching a concert at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton. But it's the people that help create that energy, not just the artist, and it is an energy that can be brought to almost every Athabasca show.
It is important for members of the community to take advantage of these opportunities to support our local groups so they can continue and potentially grow.
If you would like to see some more big names like Tom Cochrane performing in Athabasca it is up to you and the community to help make it happen, whether it is by signing up for the River Rats' planning committee or buying a ticket for Heartwood Folk Club's next performance.
Who knows? You could help these already great groups “make it to the big leagues. ”
