The secret is out and we’ve got even more secrets coming! NEXT FRIDAY – Sept. 21st, 2018 – The Bank Theatre will re-open its doors for Dale’s Friday Coffee House. Everyone knows how much I love this community and we’re so proud to call The Bank Theatre home. The best part of all of this will be that on September 21st, I’m not only sharing the stage with these wonderful performers, but also with all of you!
Let’s show the love for the theatre, keep the music alive, invite your family and friends to come enjoy music and friendship and see all the renovations so far. See ya at The Bank Theatre!!”
Here is the official press release. Written by: Michelle Fortier, media relations for The Bank Theatre.
September 13, 2018 – Leamington – The Bank Theatre will open its doors during a renovation slowdown on Friday, September 21st, beginning with the 11th season return of Dale’s Friday Coffee House!
The Bank Theatre voted unanimously to reopen its doors for a limited time, with limited shows during September, October, November and the first weekend of December. The Bank Theatre has been closed for extensive renovations since November 2017 and will close sometime in December and reopen in the spring/summer 2019.
President Ursula Tiessen said “We’re excited to show our community how far we’ve come with our current building phase! Although we are far from finished, the Board agreed that stakeholders, sponsors, community partners, and our patrons need to know we’re on track to fulfilling the work we’ve set out to do for this revitalization.”
Vice President and Programming Chair John Moran concurred. “Dale’s Friday Coffee House is the perfect night to open the doors to the public. It’s a popular, well-attended series, and the 83rd show. We’re looking at a few things we can do during this renovation break, and there will definitely be surprise events coming that folks won’t want to miss.”
Leamington singer-songwriter Dale Butler, well known as “The Dale” has built a life around his musical passions for over forty years. His parents bought him his first guitar, he performed with a folk band in high school and in college in London, became involved in the coffee house music scene and played the prestigious, long-running London Home County Festival in the eighties.
Dale returned to Essex County and worked as a music store employee, later opening his own well-known and successful music shop. Dale sold the business to semi-retire and to concentrate once again on his originals and performing. He can be found performing as a soloist, duo with wife Judy and with his band Dale Butler and Friends.
Dale has released six albums of original music, and the current album “A Songwriter’s Journey” was released in 2016 to coincide with his appearance at the 3rd Kingsville Folk Music Festival. Dale has had the honour of playing with some of his musical heroes- Valdy, J.P. Cormier and the late Ron Hynes. He is now archiving and recording all of his songs (107) with another album release coming in 2019.
Host, of the popular Dale’s Friday Coffee House, a well-loved, well attended monthly series running September through May, he now shares hosting with radio personality Jan Hall of Folk Roots Radio, who also takes the reins for Dale when he heads off to visit grandchildren or go south for the winter.
Long known for his trademark statement “show the love” Dale practices that mantra. Dale’s love of community is evident in his volunteerism with The Bank Theatre, Kingsville Folk Fest, The Bridge Youth, Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions, performing at senior homes and as a founding father of the Essex Kent Bluegrass Old Time & Folk Music Association, to name a few. He is often found behind the scenes taking pictures, planning events and supporting other performers, venues and series.
Dale’s Friday Coffee House has grown in popularity with loyal patrons coming monthly, rarely missing a show. He is passionate about nurturing the careers of new and up and coming performers and the series boasts performers that are local, national and international, alongside touring and recording acts.
Performers play 3 songs each for an attentive and supportive audience, varying in genre and run the gamut of full band to soloists and feature an encore with the nights line up on stage. This month’s slate features local Essex County performers Dale Butler along with Gord Harwood, Jon Brett, Ty Sharron, Jeff Wilkinson, Michigan singer-songwriter Dave Stratford, and touring recording artists Allison Brown of Windsor and Piper Hayes from Hamilton. The coffee house is also filmed by Quantum Sound Productions Director Gary Glass for YourTv Windsor aired at a later date.
Dale is thrilled and said “Everyone knows how much I love this community and we’re so proud to call The Bank Theatre home. The best part of all of this on September 21st, is not only sharing the stage with these wonderful performers and all of you. Let’s show the love for the theatre, keep the music alive, invite your family and friends to come enjoy music and friendship and see all the renovations so far. See ya at The Bank Theatre!!”
Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10 per person by passing the hat. Proceeds from the show help to support The Bank Theatre fundraising initiatives.
Doors open Friday, September 21 at 6:30pm, show begins at 7 pm at The Bank Theatre, 10 Erie St. S., in Leamington. Upcoming DFCH shows are slated for October 26 and November 23 at The Bank Theatre and December 21st at Knox Presbyterian, 58 Erie St. S., Leamington.
For more information visit www.dalebutlermusic.com and www.banktheatre.com
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