The Last Prairie Waltz Celebrates Saskatchewan’s Thriving Music Scene
words and pics by Brooke Anderson
Prince Albert’s music scene has never looked stronger. This past Thursday, Oct. 22nd, the EA Rawlinson Centre welcomed The Last Prairie Waltz, a celebration of music featuring an impressive lineup of local and Saskatchewan-based artists. Producers Heidi Munro and Scott Patrick brought audiences an evening spanning blues, jazz, folk and classic country. Following sold-out performances in Saskatoon and Regina, Prince Albert audiences were more than ready to fill the seats for a night celebrating the province’s musical talent.
Local talent is thriving in Saskatchewan, and The Last Prairie Waltz offered a showcase of just how much talent we have right here at home. Throughout the evening, Munro and Patrick were joined by an impressive roster of Prince Albert musicians, including Rich McFarlane, LJ Tyson, Shania Cabilao, Dennis Adams, Brenner Holash, Doyle Ironstand, Scott Roos, Lauren Lohneis, Dean Kushneryk, Janaya McCallum, Mick Gratias and Paul Lomheim. They were joined by other Saskatchewan artists, including Ross Folkersen, Eliza Doyle and Connor Newton. If you’re from Prince Albert, many of these names will be familiar. Our music scene may be relatively small, but it’s certainly mighty.
Munro and Patrick are well-established names in Saskatchewan’s music community, having worked on numerous projects both individually and together. The Last Prairie Waltz was created as a tribute to The Last Waltz, the legendary farewell concert performed by Canadian-American rock group The Band in 1976. The production celebrates the legacy of that iconic performance and its lasting influence on music, revisiting songs associated with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Dr. John and, of course, The Band. It was also created to highlight original music by some of the artists involved in each local production. Essentially the concert itself was to serve as a giant celebration of the classic elements of the original whilst also tipping the cap with fresh song entries.
Brenner Holash kicked off the evening’s solo performances, showcasing his talents as both a pianist and vocalist. He was followed by Shania Cabilao, whose lovely rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Coyote” demonstrated a natural stage presence. Swaying and moving her arms in time with the music, Cabilao brought an inviting energy to the performance that made it easy for the audience to connect with her.
While Munro, Patrick and the core band worked their way through the evening’s collection of familiar songs, several artists also had the opportunity to showcase original material.
Eliza Doyle, a Juno Award winner as a member of The Dead South, performed her song “Another Round,” offering a reminder of her own artistry and the talent that helped her win Bell Media’s The Next Big Thing contest.
One of the evening’s standout moments for me was LJ Tyson’s “Home on a Rainbow.” Released during Pride Month several years ago, the song shines a light on Tyson’s experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a minority voice in the country music scene. It was a meaningful addition to an evening that celebrated not only musical diversity but also the individual stories and perspectives that make our artistic community so special.
Doyle Ironstand may have been one of the happiest people in the room. Near the end of the show, he called family members just to share a glimpse of the crowd. It was a simple, heartfelt moment that captured something essential about live music: its ability to bring people together and create memories worth sharing. Ironstand also joined Eliza Doyle for a rendition of “Evangeline,” originally recorded by The Band with Emmylou Harris.
Janaya McCallum is another familiar name in Prince Albert, known for her work as a visual artist as well as a singer and fiddle player. Having grown up performing with the Trudel Family Band as well as her folk dup project Jay and Jo that featured herself and her sister Jolissa. McCallum has spent much of her life surrounded by music. That experience was evident in the ease with which she connected with her fellow performers onstage.
Of course, an evening like this wouldn’t be complete without the instrumentalists who brought the arrangements to life. The lineup included Lauren Lohneis on alto and baritone saxophone, Connor Newton on soprano and tenor saxophone, Scott Roos on trumpet, Paul Lomheim on guitar, Dennis Adams on steel guitar, Dean Kushneryk on drums, Ross Folkersen on organ, Brenner Holash on piano and Mick Gratias on bass.
Bringing together so many musicians who don’t necessarily perform with one another regularly can be a challenge, particularly when the rehearsal time is limited. Yet, with just one rehearsal, the ensemble delivered a remarkably cohesive performance. The musicians worked together seamlessly, making the evening feel less like a collection of individual performers and more like one big musical family.
At the end of the night, The Last Prairie Waltz lived up to its name, offering Prince Albert audiences a memorable evening of music, nostalgia and local pride. More than simply a tribute to a legendary concert, it was a celebration of the musicians who continue to shape Saskatchewan’s musical identity.
Prince Albert’s music community is healthy, vibrant and flourishing. If Thursday’s performance was any indication, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the future of our homegrown talent.
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