Saturday, June 16 was the second concert at the Serenity Performing Arts Centre. It began at 7 p.m. and did not end until 10:30.
There was a good crowd attending, especially when one considered what the weather had been like all day. But by evening the rain had stopped, it warmed up, and there was a mild breeze.
First on stage was singer and guitarist Bart Chenuz, accompanied by Doug Fenwick on the guitar. Both live in Clearwater. Chenuz works for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. He also sings at coffee shops. Fenwick owns Clearwater’s Blue Loon Grill with his wife Jeannette. He also sings there.
Chenuz is a great singer and has a soft voice. He was raised in Kimberley and has been singing for 33 years. Some of his songs were quite comical. One was written by Vavenby resident Gary Goodie for his wife. Goodie asked Chenuz to do the music for it. It is called Canadian Girl and is dedicated to all Canadian girls. Chenuz added some of his own words.
Chenuz said that he felt honored to be playing at Serenity. Fenwick felt Shirley was doing a great job and, to support her, the Blue Loon will be doing a link from the new Blue Loon website that is under construction. For more information on Chenuz go to bartchenuz@myspace.
Next on stage were Paul Filek and his band. Filek performed at Serenity two years ago but solo. The band has been together for two years now. Their music was rock and roll at times. The audience got into the music by clapping and singing along. Some of the songs were recognizable as they have often been played on the radio. The band had good body movement while playing and did a great cover of one of the Beatles’ songs.
Filek is the main singer and played two different guitars. One was a Martin acoustic and the other a Peavey electric that he has been playing for just six months. He was born and raised in Kamloops.
Lonny Eagleton played two kinds of guitars as well - the second one a Les Paul from the ‘50s -, the trumpet, and sang backup. He was from Kelowna.
Bass guitarist Jon Baregen (nicknamed Burgundy) is from Ladner.
The drummer Brian Badd was originally from Australia but now lives in Vancouver, as do the rest. He gave some of his drumsticks away as souvenirs.
Filek has been performing for seven years now. He has just released his fourth album called Paper Plains and Spare Change. He is now going in a more “poppy” direction such as Maroon and #5. He had CDs, T-shirts and hats for sale that night.
The audience spent a great evening sitting outside and listening to two wonderful performances. Both Chenuz and Filek were quite comical. Filek was brought back on stage with an encore call from the audience.
The evening ended with the announcement of the winner of the draw sponsored by Kamloops’ Night Out.com. The winner, Wilna Ruttan, won $100 worth of gift certificates for a variety of pubs and restaurants in Kamloops.
The next concert is on Saturday, July 14 at 7 p.m. rain or shine. Performers will be the Kenny Byrka Band, Pauline Kyllonen, and a new up-and-coming country singer, Rachel Ashley. Ashley is Byrka’s daughter and will sing with him.
There will be a concession run by the Log Inn Pub from Avola. For tickets phone Shirley de Vooght at 250-676-9456.