The Lacombe Performing Arts Centre continues to see support from the community and will soon be hosting Mystery Train — a performance by CJ Berube and other local musicians highlighting the iconic works of Elvis Presley.
Proceeds from the Lacombe Memorial Centre (LMC) show will go towards renovations at the Trinity Lutheran Church, which will eventually be the permanent Lacombe Performing Arts Centre(LPAC).
“We had a theatre quite a few years ago, which we unfortunately lost,” Berube said. “I think it is something that would be a good use here in Lacombe because of all of the talented people in town — in both music and theatre.”
Berube said the King of Rock’s music is perfect for a show that will feature 13 different artists on stage.
“Elvis had a wide range of music, from rockabilly to country to rhythm and blues, gospel and he was a fella’ that seemed to identify great music,” Berube said. “He wasn’t necessary the writer of all his music but he was able to find talented people who wrote great music and he performed it well.”
The group will perform Elvis songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s and also artists from those eras that were influenced by Presley.
“It is a celebration of great music, it is about having fun and will hopefully bring memories back for the audience,” he said.
The two shows, on Feb. 28th and March 1st, will be at the LMC and not the LPAC due to ongoing renovations. Currently the LPAC only holds 150 people, a number the LPAC Committee is hoping to double after renovations.
“There is plenty of room at the LMC and there is seating enough in the main hall there for over double that,” he said.
Berube’s ultimate goal is to see a venue for all the talented local artists of Lacombe.
“One of the things that adds to it is that these are all local people,” he said. ” For the better part, they are all right from Lacombe — we do have a couple from Red Deer and Ponoka.
“What better place to promote that talent than the LMC in Lacombe.”
Berube said renovations are ongoing at the LPAC, although everyone involved would like to see things move quicker.
A large turnout at this events would go a long way to achieving that goal.
“We hope we have a good turnout,” he said. “We have been part of Music in the Park and other shows here in Lacombe which makes us quite confident that will happen. Lacombe always seems to get going for something like this.
“It is a lot of fun for the community and the ultimate goal is to have a facility where everyone benefits from.”
Tickets are $30 and are available at the Mary C. Moore Library or Rexall Drugs.
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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