Perogies and Jam kicked off their 7^th season in fine style at the Vegreville Sunshine Club with local performers and bluegrass band Cabin Fever from Edmonton. MC Don Harfield opened the evening at 7:00 pm with a warm welcome to this first event of the new season. Our typical format style is to start off with local performers, have a featured “guest” band or performer, and finish with a jam session. We intend to have monthly events at the Sunshine Club on the 3^rd Saturday, through to the spring except for the month of December.

Darlene Thibault of Viking was first up with her cover of Coat of Many Colours, and Loretta Lynn’s Blue Kentucky Girl. Debbie Hill also of Viking then performed Marty Robbin’s tune Singing the Blues and Alberta Rose Waltz.

Albert Stewart of Vegreville pulled out his violin and played a couple of fiddle tunes, followed by young Nolia Jarvis who sang This is the Stuff and My Church. Ernie Mylymok of Medicine Hat stopped in (as a result of the Vegreville sign at the Visitor Information Centre) on his way from Saskatoon to join us and sang a couple of original songs accompanied on his mandolin.

After a short break to complete the set-up of instruments and the sound equipment, bluegrass band Cabin Fever hit the stage with opening songs of Lonesome Pine, Man of Constant Sorrow and Cold Alberta. In all, they performed 15 songs concluding with Keep on the Sunny Side made famous by the Carter Family as their theme song. Pat Guidera invited local musicians for a “jam” time after their performance and included many songs concluding with Will the Circle be Unbroken.

Cabin Fever consists of Pat Guidera on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Toby Tellier on upright bass and harmony vocals, Frank Omoe on mandolin, Ron Mercer on dobro, banjo and harmonica, and Dodie Baker on acoustic guitar and harmony vocals. Their infectious and wonderful blend of vocal harmonies and tight instrumentals were a delight to the audience. Their focus on Bluegrass and well known country songs was a real hit with the crowd of over fifty-five in attendance. Check out their website at www.cabinfeverband.ca

The Sunshine Club is a great venue for musicians and their support was amazing. The room has a great raised stage which is perfect for the Perogies and Jam sound system and there was plenty of space for dedicated rows of chairs, a large section for tables and chairs, and another area for dancing. Dwayne Hlady along with his very able assistants (Bob and Pete) served up special “perogies with jam” which is intended as a signature dish for Perogies and Jam events along with hamburgers, hot dogs and other confection items. Did I mention the free coffee? Thanks especially to Nick Chrapko whose tireless leadership and help is greatly appreciated.

We thank the Perogies and Jam volunteers Rob Hughes (photographer), Liam Bonser and Esther D’Souza (welcoming desk), Anna Tomyn (greeter), Ralph Lange (sound assistant), and Gordon Forbes (equipment) for their help this evening. We also thank the Sunshine Club for their great help, and FM radio Country 106.5 for helping us spread the word in our community. Perogies and Jam is committed to developing an enduring live music scene in Vegreville by cultivating local music talent.

We look forward to our next event on October 15 at the Sunshine Club when Cassidy Zahar will be the featured artist and we will again have local musicians performing. We also plan to have our annual Gospel Night on November 19 with proceeds going to charity.

Thank you all for supporting Perogies and Jam!

PHOTO GALLERY
photography courtesy of Rob Hughes