The Civic Centre will host some of Golden’s best musical talent on Saturday, March 14, as Small Town Big Time takes centre stage.
Billed as a festival showcasing Golden’s musical community and talent, the event will have 18 different acts. Varying from solo performers to full-fledged bands, the event will also feature some of the up and coming youth performers.
“My inspiration comes from the community of music in this town, it drives me to want to put on a night like this,” said John Jenkins, who has organized the event through his sound productions company Small Town Sound in partnership with Kicking Horse Culture.
“The music scene is off the hook in Golden and if I can showcase that to help it grow then that’s fantastic.”
Jenkins has been a key member of the musical scene in Golden since he first arrived in 2001. Since then, he has hosted an open mic and jam nights for every year except one and has become well known for the last seven years for organizing the open mic nights at the Wolf’s Den.
It’s Sunday nights at the Wolf’s Den which has the power to bring people together and help grow the music scene, according to Jenkins.
“At the Wolf’s Den on any given night we can have 15 to 20 different performers come and play and it’s really amazing for a town this size,” said Jenkins.
“This event is to help inspire those performers and to give them a reason to get together and practice and really dial in with their group.”
Bringing talent to the big stage of the Civic Centre, with the stage lights and curtains is important to Jenkins.
According to him, it’s a way to reward local performers with the professionalism and theatricality that comes with playing a gig like this, instead of open mic and jam nights.
“Just to come out and see what local talent looks like on the big stage with the lights, it’s an added element,” said Jenkins. “Being able to showcase that and seeing how it call comes together is going to be spectacular.”
It was important for Jenkins to get the youth performers out as well. He reached out to local music teachers to get them involved. In total, he managed to get five different kids to sign on, with each performing a song.
“It’s really important in the community to inspire them and their friends and everyone who’s involved in taking lessons,” said Jenkins. “It’s something different from their regular year-end or mid-year recital, it’s something more to look forward to and work towards.”
The event evolved from a smaller event that used to be held on St. Patrick’s day, which was also organized by Jenkins. This year, he’s looking to take a step forward and grow into something new.
Jita’s Cafe and eleven22 will be providing food for the performers throughout the day to help support the event as well.
The event is $10 and can be paid for at the door.
