EMPRESS THEATRE _ FORT MACLEOD

In addition to my role as Alberta's Artist-in-Residence and Arts Ambassador, I have a small contract with the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, AB. The Empress is a stunning turn of the century theatre, originally opened as an opera house in 1912.  It also showed silent films and eventually talkies.  Today the theatre hosts blockbuster movies, films, concerts, plays, meetings, weddings, debates, and award shows.

I'm their Programming Director.  That's just a fancy title to say, I book the events in the theatre. When my song was born 14 years ago, I tried to continue performing as much as I had up until his birth.  I tried to maintain my performing schedule but it was really hard.  I felt like I as missing out on both my life as a Dad and my life as an artist.  The truth is I was trying to be two places at once and I was sucking at both.  Without being 'out there' touring I felt like I was losing ground and watching what I had built wither on the vine.  I also struggled with the fact that my son was rapidly changing in those early years and I was missing developmental milestones left and right. I wanted to be home to be present in my son's life. There was no work/life balance in my life as an artist. I knew something had to change. When I was offered the Empress Theatre contract it gave me the ability to stay home for longer periods.  I could still perform but I could maintain helping out with our finances by earning some of my money programming the theatre.

As Programming Director my roles include:

Book a year-long season of events/concerts

Liaise with artists and agents

Draft offer sheets for agents and artists

Draft and execute contracts with artists and agents

Liaise between artist and sound techs 

Organize/book artist accommodations

Attend live concerts/events 

Act as MC for live events

The theatre recently went through six months of renovations to replace the floor, the seats, and the bathrooms.

Here is the new and improved Empress Theatre.

Our first show after the renos was tonight.  Madison Violet, a Juno-nominated duo from Toronto with east coast roots graced our stage.  It was their farewell tour and we were thrilled to have them. Here's a little look at sound check below.