(Posted
4:30 p.m., Nov. 6)
Western-themed Bytowne Beat concert a real
hoot
By Fred Sherwin
Orleans Online
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Myriam Lalibert� (centre) played Lawanda Darlene
in the Bytowne Beat Chorus production of 'The
Rodeo Queen' at the Shenkman Arts Centre on
Nov. 5. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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As
a fan of the iconic television series "Hee Haw",
I was thrilled to hear that the Bytowne Beat Chorus had
adopted a country and western theme to their concert this
year, and judging by the near capacity audiences that
showed up for their two shows on Saturday, I wasn't the
only one.
As
it turns out, the Orléans-based barbershop chorus
has quite the following, and for good reason. The 35-member,
all-female group is both talented and creative.
The
concert revolved around the central character, Lawanda
Darlene, a barrell-racing rodeo queen from Balzac, Alberta.
After
discovering there is more to life than quarterhorses,
Lawanda meets a young man named Billy who is performing
in a Calgary saloon with a traveling barbershop quartet.
The two hit it off immediately, but Billy has to leave
town with the rest of the quartet the next day.
After
her chance meeting with Billy, Lawanda's thoughts soon
turn to her first love -- a big, brwany Brahma bull-rider
named Johnny.
As
fate would have it, the two run into each other at Pete's
Poker Palace in Edmonton. But much to Lawanda's surprise,
Johnny is married to a ravishing redhead. The hope of
one day rekindling her love with Johnny is over; "crushed
like a cow turd in the middle of the arena" is how
the narrator puts it.
Ever
the romantic, Lawanda still holds out hope that she might
one day run into Billy again. Several years go by before
the two are finally reunited at the saloon where they
first met.
This
time Billy sticks around, and the two lovebirds ride off
into the sunset to live happilty ever after.
The
simple plot line formed a fitting and colourful backdrop
to an electic array of songs that were brought to life
by the 35-member chorus, assisted by a large segment of
the audience who couldn't help themselves. And how could
they? You try sitting still when an all-female barbershop
chorus strikes up "Any Man of Mine" or "Hey,
Good Lookin' ".
As
an added bonus the concert also featured several numbers
by the Toronto-based barbershop quartet Fusion and a little
old tyme fiddlin' by Cumberland's own Wade Foster,
The
90-minute concert was entertaining as all get up and at
several moments during the show I felt like letting out
a loud "yeehaw". From what I could tell the
rest of the audience fully enjoyed it as well. The only
unfortunate part, is that we have to wait a whole year
before the next production which musical director Pam
Warkentin plans to start working on early in the new year.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
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