By Stephanie Froese

Rockers and restaurants big hits at music expo

Jan 31, 2011 | 5:58 AM

It was a whirlwind weekend for organizers at the Mosaic Music Expo.

The event show cased both seasoned and new performers on three stages at the E. A. Rawlinson Center.

The weekend started out with Prince Albert’s Allison Bohmann and ended with “a bang,” said event organizer Richard McFarlane.

Canadian rock group Chilliwack closed out the weekend on Sunday night with fans dancing, laughing and singing along in a packed theater.

After moving back to Prince Albert from Saskatoon, event goer Lindy Thorpe said the music scene isn’t really comparable, but thinks this expo could change that.

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“With event like this, it really showcases what we do have and it shows that people are willing to come out and watch it and the musicians are willing to come out and perform,” Thorpe said.

She said she especially loved the addition of the local restaurants.

This year food vendors were set up in the lobby.

Jenny Willems with New Ground Café was one of these vendors. She said the event was a really fun atmosphere and has already told organizers to sign her up for next year. She said she would advise other vendors to book now as she predicted the expo is going to be a big up and coming event.

John J. Cook is a local performer who played on both the acoustic and main lobby stages during the weekend. He said he got together with his band mates just a week before the show.

Cook is very much a part of the Prince Albert music scene performing at various coffee shops and venues like Taste of Prince Albert. He said it’s allowed him to network with other artists.

“When something like this happens then they have somebody that they can invite and we belong to that group and it’s pretty good,” Cook said.

Yvonne St.Germaine performed in the gospel show Sunday. It was her first time at the E. A. Rawlinson Center.

“It’s a good experience. It’s a good opportunity,” Germaine said.

“I love it. It’s very comfortable. It’s very professional. I’m just blessed to be here.”

sfroese@panow.com