Leader & District Arts Council Presents THE BROMANTICS 40th Anniversary Sock Hop
By Mallory Cawthra
The Leader & District Arts Council (LDAC) is celebrating their 40th Anniversary on March 12th, by twisting the night away with a Sock Hop themed celebration! Featuring music from The Bromantics, everyone can dance the night away or sit back and soak in nostalgic sounds from the 50’s, infused with a modern flair. “With brilliant brass tones and doo-wop harmonies, The Bromantics keep the audience screaming for more” (thebromantics.com). The Bromantics are a Saskatchewan 6 piece-band who play tribute to music from the 1950’s.
Skip Taylor is the Performing Arts Coordinator for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC), and he said, “The Bromantics Showcased in the Fall of 2019 and were a HUGE hit with our presenters. We subsequently booked a 17-date tour with them!” Costumes are encouraged but not required for the event, so ladies, don your poodle skirts and fellas, grease back your hair! Sock Hops were popular in the 1950’s, where people danced in their socks; street shoes were not allowed on gymnasium dance floors as they scratched the surface.
Reflecting back to the inception of LDAC 40 years ago, a few key events include: on December 3, 1981, a group representing individuals interested in forming a local arts council met with the Executive Director of OSAC. On January 21, 1982, the prepared Constitution and Bylaws were read and adopted, and LDAC was officially ready to bring the Arts to the community. Treena Redman is the President of LDAC and made mention that, “Without the support of OSAC, we would cease to exist. They not only provide funding, but educational opportunities and tools to help the Arts Council prosper.”
LDAC has made many important contributions to the Town of Leader over its 40-year span. For example, in collaboration with OSAC and the Town of Leader, a grand piano was purchased for the community hall in 1990, which is still in use today. They provide annual support for the Sandhills Music Festival and the Leader Dance Competition. In 2013, LDAC was instrumental in bringing the sound system to the community centre and securing the funding for it. In 2021, LDAC created a scholarship fund for a graduate of Leader Composite School who is pursing a post-secondary education in the Arts.
The 40th Anniversary Sock Hop takes place at the Leader Community Centre on March 12th, with doors opening at 6:30 pm. The $45 ticket price includes swing dance lessons starting at 7:00 pm., diner inspired food served all night (fries, hotdogs, popcorn and root beer floats), a selfie photo booth available to strike your best pose, and The Bromantics kicking off the entertainment at 8:00 pm. The bar opens at 6:30 pm (no minors).
Tickets are available at the Town of Leader Office or eventbrite.ca, so dust off your saddle shoes and support this wonderful 40th Anniversary celebration!
