Wade Fehr kicked off opening night at The Rawlinson after the arts and entertainment shutdown in March. (Dawson Thompson/paNOW)

By Dawson Thompson

Rockin' at the Rawlinson

Successful opening night at The Rawlinson

Oct 23, 2020 | 12:11 PM

Fans were able to enjoy live music at the EA Rawlinson for the Arts again Thursday night as Wade Fehr took the stage for its opening night.

Wade Fehr debuted his new album ‘Tales of Ghosts and Graveyards’ on opening night at The Rawlinson. (Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

Patrons showed up early, with masks on and got to their seats quickly to keep the main corridor as clear as possible.

General manager of the Rawlinson, Roxanne Dicke said the evening was not only a success due to the quality entertainment but because everyone felt safe as well.

“To have people trust us and come and share their time with us during this difficult time makes us feel so grateful,” Dicke said at the concert to paNOW. “We also have done a lot of work to make sure it is safe, to make sure we are following all the guidelines, our team is very vigilant about that.”

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Dicke added having people inside the building, enjoying live entertainment, was a pleasure for everyone involved.

“A relief is a great way to put it,” she said.

Prior to the show, a few fans warming up their seats took the time to talk about the evening with paNOW.

“We work with Wade at the fire hall. When we heard he was having his show we were all really excited. We have seen some of his previous shows before, and are excited to get out and support him,” Dave Macauley said.

“We bought the tickets the day they went on sale. We’re close friends with the family. We’re elated to see the show tonight,” Amy Mcinnes said.

Amy’s husband Aron added they had previously watched Wade at Chester Fest, and when he opened for Burton Cummings. He also mentioned they had been listening to Fehr’s new album Tales of Ghosts and Graveyards all day to “get ready.”

Amy and Aron Mcinnes get ready for the Wade Fehr concert with their family on opening night. (Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

Fehr said the night was just as enjoyable for him.

“It was lots of fun to play for a crowd of people again. It’s been almost a year since I have got to do that,” Fehr said. “It was a special evening.”

Reflecting on the show, Fehr mentioned his favourite moment was having his son Chord join him on stage for a few songs.

“We have been practicing for a while to play those ones and I know he really enjoys it. I had a great time playing with him,” he said.

Events coordinator for the Rawlinson, Cara Stelmaschuk said all the hard work to put the show together was worth it.

“I’m proud of the team for making sure everyone who came through tonight felt comfortable and safe,” Stelmaschuk said. “Hopefully, people will start to trust that this is a safe place to come and enjoy live entertainment, and it will be safe.

“Everyone had a really good time. They were happy and smiling, and very supportive and expressive. When it was his final song, they gave him a standing ovation and shouted ‘One more song’ for an encore.”

The next show at the Rawlinson is being held Saturday, Oct. 24. It will be an acoustic session with Chris Henderson, Jack Semple, and the duo Munro & Patrick. Local artist, 17-year-old Faith Akers will open the show.

Tickets for Saturday’s show and the rest of the fall season can be found at www.earc.ca

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8