The Power of the Land

The

Co-operative LTD. presents

       A Fundraiser for the Grande Prairie Farmers Market Building Fund

This ground-breaking project partnered local artists with local farmers, local businesses and food enthusiasts. We shared a story with our neighbours about the power of the land and the role we all play in sustaining the connections that enable us to thrive on the planet. We engaged all the senses in a presentation that moved the audience to tears and their feet as they honoured the relationships that have made possible our communities and very existence.

The reviews are in!!! Diana Rinne writes in GP Ink! November 12, 2007

    I had the chance to attend the Power of the Land fundraising event for the Grande Prairie Farmers' Market last week and was absolutely wowed. The show was held at the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre at GPRC and was a combination of music, poetry and visual art all focused around one theme-the power of the land.
    I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but the show worked extremely well. It was paced so that it flowed from one segment to the other seamlessly. Kudos go to director Wayne Ayling for that.
    The brainchild of local singer/songwriter Susan PIcard, Power of the Land featured the talents of The DandyLionesses (Picard, Christine Ayling, Angie Maksymetz and Wendy Coogan), Franz Kratschat, Laurie Johnston, JoAnn Wells, Alexis Kienlen, Dymphny Dronyk and Catherine McLaughlin.
    The audience was completely appreciative of not only the talents but also the message brought to light by this production. The farmers and ranchers of the Peace Country are an integral part of our community. It's a fact that sometimes gets forgotten by those of us caught up in the busy buzz of the city.
    The best part was it was the first concert I've ever been to where I received an indivdually-wrapped carrot at the end of the show! For those of you who don't know, Red Willow Gardens' carrots are really good!
    I'm hoping this might become an annual event, and have hear rumours of a possible tour...but those are just rumours.

Beaverlodge & District News, November 9, 2007 Brenda Jones

    It was a delightful plethora of tastes and sounds. The numbers speak for themselves. Tickets sales for the "Power of the Land" presentation, sponsored by the UFA, brought in over $7500 for the Grande Prairie Farmers' Market.
    Some 300 people attended the benefit concert held November 2 at the Douglas Cardinal Theatre at the Grande Prairie Regional College.
    Although it wasn't a packed out audience, the good-sized crowd was enthusiastic and obviously committed to supporting their local growers. This was evidenced by the standing ovation given to the performers at the end of the evening.
    "The reality is that when you have all original material and local performers, you don't necessarily bring in record crowds," one of the organizers, Susan Picard, explained. "But we were thrilled with the numbers."
    All of the funds raised from the evening go toward the Farmers' Market building fund. The Farmers' Market is presently trying to purchase the building they are located in, so they can continue to stay in the downtown area.
    Various styles of performance celebrated the contributions of local farmers. Photography by local poet, photographer and freelance writer Catherine McLaughlin provided a backdrop for the music by several local groups.
    These included the acoustic folk stylings of The Saskatoon Mountain Pickers, singer/songwriter JoAnn Wells, and the tight harmonic blends of The DandyLinesses who recently released their first CD.
    Poetry contributions wer provided by Dymphny Dronyk who has recently co-edited and published "House of the Blue Skies 2007 Anthology: Writing the Land-Alberta Through its Poets."; Alexis Kienlen, a poet, fiction writer and journalist who has published her first book "She Dreams in REd" and poet/singer Susan PIcard (who is a member of the DandyLionesses).
    The evening ended with a "Tasting the Peace" reception catered by Jeffrey's Cafe Co. A large buffet or foods prepared wtih all local ingredients offered tempting delights for the palate. Audience members had a chance to mingle with local producers and even purchase local products.
    The local farmers represented included Bridgeview Gardens, First Nature Farms, Glendean Farms, Grandview Gardens, Harmony's Way Farms, Pirkers Apiaries, Wildwood Farm, Ridge Valley Colony, Peace Country Milling and Grains, Red willow Gardens, and Smoky Gardens.
    "We still just scratched the surface," Picard told the News. "There are so many other farmers out there that we'd like to celebrate, but we can't do it all at once.
    "Our biggest hope is that the audience left a little more committed to supporting their local food growers," she said.

Come join us...nationally acclaimed eco-artist Peter von Tiesenhausen, Frontenac Publishing House poets Alexis Kienlen and Dymphny Dronyk, recording artists and keynote presenters the DandyLionesses, poet, freelance writer and photographer Catherine McLaughlin and local music legends JoAnn Wells, Franz Kratschat and Laurie Johnston. See, hear, touch, smell and taste the Peace Country as never before with the help of these artists and the kitchen wizardry of Lance Warkentin of Jeffrey's Cafe co. and the local farmers who have supplied him with great produce.