Donny Parenteau entertaining a crowd at Mosaic Stadium in 2017. (Facebook/ Donny Parenteau)

By Nigel Maxwell

Live music returns

Parenteau prepares for return of live crowd experience

Jul 23, 2020 | 2:00 PM

A special concert series announced for next month at Saskatchewan’s TCU Place marks the first live concert in nearly five months in an auditorium or theatre setting, and a well known Prince Albert musician will be a big part of it.

Donny Parenteau and his band have been scheduled to take the stage on Aug. 6, followed by another show the following night by the band Ponteix.

“It’s going to feel good because you’ve got that live energy coming back to you,” Parenteau told paNOW, when asked how it feels to be playing in front of an actual audience again..

Since mid-March, artists across the world have resorted to holding online concerts though social media. Parenteau, who has also been teaching music lessons online, explained you can’t get that same sort of “energy” from a camera.

The concert series next month at TCU Place is being done in partnership with Sask Music and space will be limited to allow for proper social distancing. While excited about the idea of performing, Parenteau said he immediately wanted to know what protocols would be in place, and how many people would be in attendance.

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“This is my crew. I have to take care of my guys, just like it’s me,” Parenteau said, adding he will be very specific which equipment he uses.

“And I don’t care if you sterilize it, sterilize it all day long, I’m not using anyone ‘s mic but my own,” he said.

Parenteau explained a recent Facebook post really put into perspective how important it is for musicians to be performing.

The post showed a picture of a full airplane, with all the passengers wearing masks, and beside it was a picture of an empty auditorium. The post begged the question why people are allowed to fly in a cramped space, but cannot attend a socially distanced concert. Acknowledging the strange times society is going through, Parenteau said there’s nothing wrong with musicians being cautious or even over cautious, but added it”s time for them to go back to doing what they love.

“When you get out there and start performing, know that once that switch is hit, it’s back and just get out there and do your show and have a blast,” he said.

Stephen Rutherford, a spokesperson for TCU Place, told paNOW a number of social distancing and health protocols have been instituted for the show to create a positive and safe experience for everyone including the use of additional signage, and the encouragement that all purchases (food and tickets) be paid for by debit or credit card. At its’ full capacity, TCU Place can seat over 2,000 people.

“There’s going to be a total of 150 people in that space, and that includes staff and members of the bands,” Rutherford said.

At this time no other concerts have been announced or planned, and Rutherford said all focus is on the August show but hinted more shows may be announced based on how it goes.Tickets for the August show can be purchased online or phone through the TCU box office.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell