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Scott Carpenter, one of the organizers and performers of “Old Folk Favourites 3,” has a personal reason for helping out at the joint fundraiser for the Nord-Bridge Centre and the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization.
“All of our parents use the services of either Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre or the LSCO. And my dad, Don Carpenter, teaches carving at the LSCO. I go for lunch there every day,” he said, showing off a couple of his father’s carvings, which usually sit on his desk at City Hall, where he his responsible for booking city facilities such as hockey rinks and theatres.
“I’ve been performing in Lethbridge for 20 years, so I’ve personally been supported by Lethbridge’s seniors community and I’m always being stopped in the street by seniors who talk to me about it. So knowing the proceeds go back to the seniors community is very near and dear to my heart.”
The all-ages family show at Yates Theatre, Feb. 17-18, also stars Jeff Carlson, Jordana Kohn, Erica Hunt, Arlene Bedster, Andre Royer and Kelly Roberts, who have been “reuniting” for the past two years just for this event and to revisit some of their favourite moments on stage together. Fifty volunteers are involved in putting on the performances.
“The way it started is we were asked to do some entertainment for the Seniors Games and Jim Hahn from Nord-Bridge thought it would make a great fundraiser,” Carpenter said.
“These shows are a lot more intimate. A grand piano, a few chairs, and us and our instruments is the only set.”
Organizers decided to have some fun with the “old folk” theme. As most of the songs that will be fall into the folk or acoustic vein, they thought they’d throw the word “folk” in between the show’s title “Old Favourites” and have some fun with the double entendre. Selections include “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “California Dreaming,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “King of the Road,” “Landslide,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Walk Right In,” and many others.
As in past years, all of the profit from this event will be shared equally by Lethbridge’s two senior centres.
“The first year we did two soldout shows; the next year we did three shows. Two sold out and one almost sold out. This year we hope there will be three sellouts,” Carpenter said.
Last year’s fundraiser brought in $23,000, which was split between the two centres.
Marcie Stork, volunteer co-ordinator at the LSCO, said the money helps keep membership and meal costs affordable.
“Any money we make through fundraising means less we have to charge our members,” she said.
“Just knowing we have such a group of very talented people who are willing to help us out means a lot to us.”
Tickets are available for $37.50 for the Feb. 17-18 shows, which begin at 8 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 18 for which tickets are $32.50. Purchase tickets at the Ticket Centre or by phoning 403-329-SEAT (7328).
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