The 2018 Heartwood Folk Club performances kicked off Oct. 5 at the Nancy Appleby Theatre with a live performance from John Wort Hannam and his band.
The British-born Hannam rocked the night away to an enthusiastic crowd of about 130 during his fourth trip to Athabasca since beginning his singing career 17 years ago.
“I love performing at the Nancy Appleby,” Hannam said. “I love the stage, and feeling like I am being surrounded by by the audience.”
His awards in the music industry include a Canadian Fold Music Award for Album of the Year, a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, a Kerrville Texas New Folk win, as well as being nominated for a Juno for Best Traditional/Roots album.
Hannam, who is based in Lethbridge, said the payment is what keeps coming back.
“I go wherever they pay me,” he said. “I have been slowing down on my performances in recent years, as I do not go out as far now, and I do not go out as often as I used to. Even performing in Alberta can still be a long ways from home, but I would not trade it for anything.”
Event organizer Peter Opryshko said he was very pleased with the turnout during the evening.
“We keep putting on a good show, and people have good taste in music,” Opryshko said. “The John Wort Hannam band performed really well tonight. A few of the audience members dancing to the music in the corner shows just how good the performances are.”
“I not only like people dancing to the music, I encourage it,” Hannam said during the performance.
All in all, Opryshko said it was a really good crowd.
“I think the enthusiasm was shown,” he said. “The band gave a good show when they were here the last time, but at the same time, they gave us a different performance, too. I think it kept the show very interesting.”
The next show will take place Oct. 26, with a performance from Laura Love.
“It’s a return of a performer who was last here at the first show we had back in 1997,” Opryshko said. “I think there will be a lot of people turning out for this one. I think the people who have watched that performance, as well as other who have come to other performances will really enjoy her music.”
What the audience thought
Athabasca County Coun. Larry Armfelt said he has attended the Heartwood concerts with his wife Margaret for many years.
“I do not remember how many years we have attended, but we have had season tickets for some time now,” Armfelt said. “It’s a great show, and this kind of entertainment is always good for the community.”
“I really like the upbeatness of the music,” Margaret Armfelt said. “It always sounds so cheerful.”
Town of Athabasca Coun. Dave Pacholok said the show is good local entertainment.
“Heartwood provides a good service to the town,” Pacholok said. “By having this kind of entertainment coming in, I think it’s a good opportunity to see good local and international talent for a very reasonable price.”
He said the best part is that you do not even need to go to Edmonton to see it.
“My wife and I usually have season tickets, but we have not had them for the last couple of years,” Pacholok said. “But I do enjoy coming. Past bands we have had here included the lead singer of Chilliwack. That was quite a performance.”
Athabasca resident Jean Langley described the show as quite wonderful.
“I have bought a season pass since 2012,” Langley said. “I really love the performances each artist puts on for the community.”
For her friend Marian Moritz, this is the second time she has ever had the opportunity to take in the show.
“I live way down south in Innisfail,” Moritz said. “I think these concerts are amazing, and well worth the long drive to come and watch it. I do not mind the travel, provided it’s not snowing.”
She added that she really liked that Hannam was based out of Alberta.
“That, for me, makes the show even better,” Moritz said. “I really love the stories Hannam tells with his music and lyrics, it’s just really amazing.”
