by Stephen Dafoe
When the doors of the Morinville Community Cultural Centre open for the next Silver Shoes Pub Night May 14, they will open for an evening of comedic entertainment. The evening will feature a dinner and show by St. Albert performers Peter and Mary, who will be providing a comedy act from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
It’s something organizer Melonie Dziwenka says is a little different than the usual Silver Shoes Pub Night, which traditionally has featured musical entertainment and a dance.
“Sometimes laughter is the best medicine for an evening,” Dziwenka said. “I think the reason to change it up was to provide a different type of night out as not everyone likes to attend dancing events. To try and meet the different needs of seniors I decided to try a comedy night. This provides more variety for the seniors to get out and be actively participating in our community.”
Entertainers Peter and Mary performed at the Morinville Community Library last August. That performance of ventriloquist puppetry, magic, and live music was well received; however, this time around they will be performing for an audience considerably older than one finds at a library summer reading program.
Starting with successful independent careers in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, the duo went on to build a career playing festivals, trade fairs, community concerts, conventions, major resort hotels, and even cruise ships.
The upcoming event is the fifth show for the Town’s Silver Active program and Dziwenka said each of the events has been an almost sell out event.
“I believe the reason for the success is only hosting them twice a year,” she said, adding lower costs, lower volume, and time to socialize has added to the success. “The only reason to try something different was to provide an alternative to those who do not want a dance night, but an evening out. Ole Pub Night is an opportunity to enjoy a sit down meal and entertainment.”
Tickets for the May 14 event are $25 per person. The catered supper will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the 90-minute show will start immediately after.
Organizers say more than half of the 120 tickets for the event are gone.
Those interested in attending can buy tickets at the cultural centre box office or call Melonie Dziwenka at 780-939-7833.
