The Bassano Arts Council’s genesis was in 1983, after the Bassano School had hosted a number of Dinner Theatres, and had money in the bank! A committee of teachers was established to decide what to do with the money, and after meeting with Alberta Culture representatives, the decision was made to present a season for the community of Bassano and surrounding area. The first concert was in the fall of 1984, and the Bassano Arts Council has successfully hosted a season each year since then! The members of BAC were very involved in fundraising and planning for the construction of the new community hall in Bassano in 1994/1995; and hosted Ian Tyson as the first event in the new Bassano and District Community Hall in January of 1996. The Bassano Arts Council’s seasons have sold out for many years and hopefully will continue for many more years!
Each year, the BAC hosts a Dinner Theatre fundraiser for the performing arts in Bassano School, held at the end of April each year. The Bassano School staff, and friends and family of the Arts Council prepare and serve the gourmet meal.
The Arts Council is a member of the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, and continues to receive funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The government of Alberta has provided a grant for the BAC every year since its inception, and this grant has been instrumental in allowing the council to continue. The Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta hosts a Showcase Conference each year, and the members of Bassano Arts Council attend this Showcase in order to view performers in a concert setting and this helps to make the choices for the seasons each year.
A small group of very committed volunteers help to plan, advertise, and host the concerts each year. If you are interested in joining the group of Bassano Arts Council volunteers, please call Linda at 403-641-4280, or use the email contact on the contact page of this site.
The chart below lists the performers and Dinner Theatre entertainment for each of the previous seasons.
| YEAR | PERFORMERS |
| 2021-2022
38th Year |
Outdoor Concerts in summer of 2021: Jamie Allenach
Red Hot Hayseeds, Lyndsay Butler, Marcus Trummer, Rutster Hotel California – Original Eagles Tribute Band A Horizon Ridge Christmas When You’re Smiling – Tim Tamashiro – salute to the Rat Pack John Wort Hannam The Carolines |
| 2020-2021
37th Year |
No indoor concerts due to Covid-19 restrictionsOutdoor Curbside concerts in Summer:
Jamie Allanach Matt Masters Michela Sheedy Jay Bowcott and Allan Christie Lyndsay Butler Howlin’ Pete Cormier and Sydney Shadravac_ |
| 2019-2020
36th year |
The Jim Byrnes Duo – roots/blues/rockTom Phillips and the DTs – honky tonk, country
A Salute to Stompin’ Tom featuring Tim Hus – country When You’re Smiling – Tim Tamashiro – salute to the Rat Pack – postponed due to COVID-19 Dinner Theatre – cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| 2018-2019
35th year |
Trevor Panczak and His Band – countryChristmas with Heather Rankin and her band – East Coast
The Story of The Hag – (Merle Haggard Story) – Jess Lee The Ennis Sisters – Newfoundland Folk Dinner Theatre – Spirit – by Peg Kehret |
| 2017-2018
34th year |
Duane Steele – The Legend of George Jones – Alberta – countryThe Wardens – Alberta – folk, roots, western
The Derina Harvey Band – Alberta – Celtic Rock Union Duke – Ontario – indie rock, bluegrass, country Dinner Theatre – The Odd Couple – Female Version |
| 2016 – 2017
33rd year |
Lisa Brokop – Patsy Cline Project – Ontario/Nashville – countryEnnis Sisters Christmas Show – Newfoundland – folk
Drew Gregory – Alberta – country East Coast Singer/Songwriters: Catherine Maclellan, JP Cormier, David Gunning Dinner Theatre |
| 2015 – 2016
32nd year |
Brett Kissel – Alberta – countryThe Carolines – Alberta – country
The Jesse Peters Trio – Alberta – piano/jazz David Francey – Ontario – folk Dinner Theatre– What’s Susan’s Secret? |
| 2014-2015
31st year |
George Canyon – Alberta – countryBrad Johner and Boys – Saskatchewan – country
The Joe Defendants – Steve Pineo, Tim Wilkinson, Kit Johnson – folk/country Charlie A’Court – Nova Scotia – folk and blues Dinner Theatre – The Last Séance |
| 2013-2014
30th year |
Aaron Lines – Alberta – countryThe Travelling Mabels – Alberta – country
J.P. Cormier – Nova Scotia – folk The Arrogant Worms – Ontario – comedy/music Dinner Theatre – The Boarding House |
| 2012-2013
29th year |
Troubadours: Duane Steele, Lisa Brokop, Wyatt Easterling and Paul Jefferson – Alberta and Ontario – countryJason McCoy Christmas Show – Ontario – country
Lennie Gallant – Nova Scotia – folk John Wort Hannam – Alberta – folk Dinner Theatre – Drinking Habits |
| 2011-2012
28th year |
Chad Brownlee – BC – countryCod Gone Wild – BC – East Coast Celtic
Victoria Banks and Charlie Major – Ontario – country Quartette – Ontario – folk/pop/country Dinner Theatre – Out of Sight – Out of Murder |
| 2010-2011
27th year |
Jim Byrnes Trio – Zubot and Dawson – BC – folkChristmas with Valdy and Gary – BC – folk/country
George Canyon – Alberta – country Trevor Panczak and RoughStock Band – Alberta – country Dinner Theatre – First Things First |
| 2009-2010
26th year |
Hotel California – Ontario – tribute bandSongwriter in the Round – Rob Heath, Cori Brewster, Gord Matthews – Ontario
Raylene Rankin, Cindy Church and Susan Crowe – East Coast, folk and country House of Doc – Manitoba – folk Dinner Theatre – Guess Who’s Coming to Lunch and I’m Herbert |
| 2008-2009
25th year |
Matt Anderson – New Brunswick – folk and bluesGord Bamford – Alberta – country
The Sixties – Alberta – local – pop The Cottars – Cape Breton – folk Dinner Theatre – Don’t Dress for Dinner |
| 2007-2008
24th year |
Charlie Major – Ontario – countryBrad Johner Christmas Show– Saskatchewan – country
Todd Butler – BC – comedy/music Vannatta – Alberta – country Dinner Theatre – Hot Property |
| 2006-2007
23rd year |
The Nylons – BC – a cappellaJohn Wort Hannam – Alberta – folk
Outerbridges Magical Moments in Time – Ontario –– magic Carlene Friesen – Alberta – country Dinner Theatre – Meet My Husbands |
| 2005-2006
22nd year |
Powder Blues Band – BC – bluesAaron Pritchett – Ontario – country
Rita Chiarelli – Ontario – blues Buccaneers – Alberta – folk Dinner Theatre – Murder on the Rerun |
| 2004-2005
21st year |
Lennie Gallant – Nova Scotia – folkCorb Lund – Alberta – country
Polyjesters – Alberta – folk/swing Murray McLaughlin – Ontario – folk Dinner Theatre |
| 2003 – 2004
20th year |
The Songwriters – Diane Chase, Steve Fox, Duane Steele – Alberta and Ontario – countryA Lewis and Royal Christmas – Alberta – folk
The Norma KcKnight Show – BC – ventriloquist/comedy The Good Brothers – Ontario – country Dinner Theatre – They Went That-a-Way |
| 2002-2003
19th year |
The Songwriters – Lisa Brokop, Steve Fox, Jamie Warren – Sask. And Ontario – countryIts’ Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas! – Chinook Winds Sweet Adelines – Alberta – choral
Nils Ling – The Truth About Marriage – Ontario – humorist/storyteller The Nomads – Alberta – old time rock and roll Extra Concert – Big Bill Morganfield – blues night Dinner Theatre – The Mice Have Been Drinking Again and Aunt Miranda’s Will |
| 2001-2002
18th year |
Michael Kaeshammer – Ontario – boogie-woogie pianoHockey Mom, Hockey Dad – Nova Scotia – theatre
Valdy and Gary Fjellgard – BC – folk and country Dinner Theatre – Bridal Terrorism and Duelling Oakes |
| 2000-2001
17th year |
Western Hospitality Singers – Alberta – barbershop choirJerusalem Ridge – Alberta – bluegrass
New Orleans Connection – Alberta – ragtime, Dixie, jazz Added concert – Ray Bonneville – Ontario – Blues Night Dinner Theatre – When Men are Scarce and The Sisters McIntosh |
| 1999-2000
16th year |
Prairie Tales – Alberta – short filmsThe Arrogant Worms – Ontario – comedy/music
Carlene Friesen – Alberta – country Lorne Elliot – Quebec – comedy Dinner Theatre |
| 1998-1999
15th year |
Gleichen Choir – We Remember – choralStratus – Alberta – pop, folk
Cypher – Nova Scotia – theatre Bending the Bows – Ontario – violin/fiddle Dinner Theatre |
| 1997-1998
14th year |
Laura Vinson – Alberta – aboriginal/countryDon Bryan – BC – ventriloquist
Backstage Broadway – Alberta – Broadway Duet Dinner Theatre – Don’t Misunderstand Me! |
| 1996-1997
13th year |
Brent McAthey – Alberta – countryStreetnix – Saskatchewan – a cappella
Tom Kubinek – Ontario – physical comedy Dinner Theatre – first year to be scheduled in spring – The Odd Couple – Female Version |
| 1995-1996
12th year |
Valdy – BC – folk – last show in the old hall – November 7 – 1995Ian Tyson – not in season – but first event in New Hall – Hall Raisers Fundraiser Event – January 13, 1996
Al Simmons – Ontario – physical comedy – first season show in new hall – January 22 – 1996 The Legends – Elvis, Roy, Marilyn, Neil Diamond – Saskatchewan – tribute show Dinner Theatre – last year scheduled in January – local – Murder in the Wings |
| 1994-1995
11th year |
Jaccee Dallyn – Ontario – country/popWestern Hospitality Chorus – Alberta – barbershop choir
Murray Hatfield – Alberta – magician Dinner Theatre – first local production – Boeing, Boeing! |
| 1993-1994
10th year |
Kahurangi – Hawaii – music/danceEasy T’s – Winnipeg – a cappella
Richard and Deborah Popvich and family – Alberta – vaudeville variety show Dinner Theatre – Ent +5 – Buttons, Bows and a Six Shooter |
| 1992-1993
9th year |
Valdy – BC – folkStratus Musical Comedy Act – Alberta – folk and pop
Lorne Elliot – Quebec – comedian Dinner Theatre – Sid Marty – Sid’s Cafe |
| 1991-1992
8th year |
Jerusalem Ridge – Alberta – bluegrassWestern Hospitality Chorus – Alberta – barbershop choir
Variety Night – Alberta impersonator – Elvis, Roy Orbison, and BC comedian Don Hambley Dinner Theatre – Puff ‘n’ Blow – Sssssibilance! |
| 1990-1991
7th year |
Su Chong Lim – Alberta – ethnic folkMichael Mitchell – Alberta – folk pub night
The Flying Kozaks – Ontario – physical comedy/music Dinner Theatre – Bunkhouse – cowboy poetry/music |
| 1989-1990
6th year |
Kelita – Ontario – countryThe Man With the Horn – Alberta – swing band
The Melloyds – BC – a cappella Dinner Theatre – Al Simmons |
| 1988-1989
5th year |
Kompany! – Alberta – music/danceTrickster – Alberta – physical comedy
The Michael Mitchell Band – Alberta – pub night – folk/Irish Dinner Theatre – OnStage – A Scheme-a-Dream Christmas |
| 1987-1988
4th year |
Murray McLaughlin – Ontario – folkThe Romaniacs – Ontario – ethnic folk
From Here to Insanity – OnStage – theatre Dinner Theatre – On-Stage – Scrooge – the Female Version |
| 1986-1987
3rd year |
New Orleans Connection – Alberta – ragtime, Dixie, jazzAlley Scatz – Alberta – vocal trio
The Wild Colonial Boys – Alberta – folk Dinner Theatre – On-Stage – Bell, Book and Candle |
| 1985-1986
2nd year |
Siding 29: The Government Inspector – Alberta -– operettaTamarack –Ontario – folk
Foothills Brass – Alberta – brass quintet Dinner Theatre – On-Stage – My Husband, The Wife |
| 1984-1985
1st year |
Johnny Thorson – Alberta – vaudevilleJoan MacIsaac – Saskatchewan – folk
Murray Hatfield – Alberta – magic Dinner Theatre – On-Stage Production’s “Nina” |
Bassano Arts Council 