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” |
Bassano Arts Council 