Only the name has changed — the music is as great as ever.
The Great Plains will be in concert at the Mex Pub on March 4 as featured guests of the 1st Tuesday Fundraisers.
Many may also know them as Darrel and Saskia Delaronde, a dynamic duo that has toured extensively across Canada, sharing their Prairie roots music with themes of Canadian places, lifestyle, history and heroes.
To receive the 1st Tuesday donations from the door this month, the duo has chosen Lilli House. Lilli is an outreach for women and children who are escaping domestic violence and abusive situations.
Darrel and Saskia were each building their own musical career as solo artists when their paths first crossed.
Saskia is a self-proclaimed New-Age, alto-soprano, Celtic, folk, roots, singer, who happens to be Dutch and has been known to yodel.
Darrel is a Métis songwriter pursuing a life-long passion of surrounding himself with guitars, and who has spent many years on the road as a lead guitarist.
The merging of their musical talents has been a delight to their fans and supporters, weaving their distinct musical styles, friendship, and enthusiasm.
Darrel and Saskia’s albums include Laura’s Kitchen, Burlap and Binder Twine, Sailing Saskatchewan and their latest release, Songbirds.
They have been nominated for Album of the Year, Aboriginal Artist of the Year (times three), as well as Songwriter of the Year in Saskatchewan. Over the past several years, they have toured extensively with Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Gary Fjellgaard and are polished performers who genuinely enjoy their audiences and the connections they make along the way.
“We were very pleased to find a date, as Darrel and Saskia are on the road so much,” says organizer Judy Wing.
“People may not realize it, but we have Darrel and Saskia to thank for planting the seed to host these monthly fundraising events. Years ago, they had recorded a compilation Christmas album with other artists from the B.C. Interior.
“Each year, the participating artists put on a concert wherever they happen to be and sell the CD to raise money for their local food bank. The year we met Darrel and Saskia, they asked Bruce (Wing) and I to join them in their annual concert.
“We were very inspired by that initiative. The following December we approached Roy Tai, owner of the Mex Pub, about hosting our own events.
“The support of the Mex sponsorship, the talent of local musicians, and the generosity of the audience members has helped it to evolve into a monthly series that supports a wide variety of local charities.”
This month, the charity being supported is Lilli House, a resource funded through the Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS) that offers a wide range of support programs to Comox Valley women as they take steps to have healthier lives.
These programs include support for detox and recovery from addiction, recovery from violence, women’s counselling, and parenting support as well as shelter and nutritious meals. It offers a place of safety for women and children to make the transition from harmful circumstances to more peaceful, balanced lives.
The evening on March 4 starts at 7:30 with a short opening set by Judy and Bruce Wing, with The Great Plains to follow. Admission is by donation at the Mex Pub on Ryan Road.
For more information about the Great Plains, visit www.thegreatplains.ca. To learn more about Lilli House, visit www.cvts.ca/lilli-house.
— 1st Tuesday Fundraisers
