About

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 Bassano Community Players offer a fun comedy play for entertainment!

The Arts Council continues to receive funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and from Canadian Heritage. 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 government of Canada continues to support our arts council through the Canadian Heritage CAPF Grants. We are extremely grateful for the grants we receive to continue to offer the performing arts live in our little town!

Bassano Arts Council is a member of the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta which hosts a Showcase Conference each year, and the members of Bassano Arts Council attend this Showcase for networking, professional development, and 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, Jan at 403-641-2484 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
2022 – 2023

39th  Year

Outdoor Concerts in summer of 2022: Michaela Sheedy, Larry Vannata, Matt Masters, Wagonstage Theatre, The Broken Smoke Duo

The Abrams – Ontario – original country

A Classic Country Christmas with Lisa Brokop – Saskatchewan, Nashville – country

Kenny Hess – Fernie, BC – The Songs That Wrote Country Music

Russell deCarle Trio – Ontario – Western Swing

Dinner Theatre – Drinking Habits Two

2021-2022

38th Year

Outdoor Concerts in summer of 2021: Jamie Allenach, Red Hot Hayseeds, Lyndsay Butler, Marcus Trummer, Rutster

Hotel California – Ontario – Original Eagles Tribute Band

A Horizon Ridge Christmas – Alberta – folk

When You’re Smiling – Tim Tamashiro – Calgary – salute to the Rat Pack

John Wort Hannam – Lethbridge – roots, folk

The Carolines – Edmonton – classic country

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 – BC – roots/blues/rock

Tom Phillips and the DTs – Calgary – 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 – Country

Christmas 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 – country

The 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 – country

Ennis 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 – country

The 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 – country

Brad 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 – country

The 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 – country

Jason 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 – country

Cod 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 – folk

Christmas 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 band

Songwriters 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 blues

Gord 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 – country

Brad 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 cappella

John 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 – blues

Aaron Pritchett – Ontario – country

Rita Chiarelli – Ontario – blues

Buccaneers – Alberta – folk

Dinner Theatre – Murder on the Rerun

2004-2005

21st year

Lennie Gallant – Nova Scotia – folk

Corb 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 – country

A 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 – country

Its’ 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 piano

Hockey 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 choir

Jerusalem 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 films

The Arrogant Worms – Ontario – comedy/music

Carlene Friesen – Alberta – country

Lorne Elliot – Quebec – comedy

Dinner Theatre

1998-1999

15th year

Gleichen Choir – We Remember – choral

Stratus – Alberta – pop, folk

Cypher – Nova Scotia – theatre

Bending the Bows – Ontario – violin/fiddle

Dinner Theatre

1997-1998

14th year

Laura Vinson – Alberta – aboriginal/country

Don Bryan – BC – ventriloquist

Backstage Broadway – Alberta – Broadway Duet

Dinner Theatre – Don’t Misunderstand Me!

1996-1997

13th year

Brent McAthey – Alberta – country

Streetnix – 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 – 1995

Ian 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/pop

Western Hospitality Chorus – Alberta – barbershop choir

Murray Hatfield – Alberta – magician

Dinner Theatre – first local production with Bassano Community Players – Boeing, Boeing!

1993-1994

10th year

Kahurangi – Hawaii – music/dance

Easy 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 – folk

Stratus 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 – bluegrass

Western 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 folk

Michael Mitchell – Alberta – folk pub night

The Flying Kozaks – Ontario – physical comedy/music

Dinner Theatre – Bunkhouse – cowboy poetry/music

1989-1990

6th year

Kelita – Ontario – country

The Man With the Horn – Alberta – swing band

The Melloyds – BC – a cappella

Dinner Theatre – Al Simmons

1988-1989

5th year

Kompany! – Alberta – music/dance

Trickster – 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 – folk

The 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 – operetta

Tamarack –Ontario – folk

Foothills Brass – Alberta – brass quintet

Dinner Theatre – On-Stage – My Husband, The Wife

1984-1985

1st year

Johnny Thorson – Alberta – vaudeville

Joan MacIsaac – Saskatchewan – folk

Murray Hatfield – Alberta – magic

Dinner Theatre – On-Stage Production’s “Nina