My musical taste is about as colourful as a box of Crayola crayons. I have an equally unhealthy obsession with Madonna and Tracy Chapman, more Roxette albums than I should probably admit, CCR, Billy Idol, Green Day, George Harrison, Prince, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, and the likes of local acts such as Effect & Cause and 18 Rabbit all have a steady rotation on my Ipod.

That being said there is a special place in my heart reserved for Folk music.

I don’t know if I really had a choice whether or not to love it, you see I attended my first Folk Festival while I was still in the womb.

Growing up our home was constantly filled with the sounds of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Joan Baez, and The Band. The later was best heard through the original recording of their final concert “The Last Waltz”.

My grandfather had purchased the original album for my mom in 1977 and as a result I have a lot of childhood memories associated with that three-box set of vinyl.

The Last Waltz was “the final” concert by Canadian rock group, The Band, held at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco in 1976. Along with The Band, featured guest appearances were included by: Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, and Ron Wood. These moments were captured on film through the lens of Martin Scorsese.

Although perhaps not as epic as the original concert, the reenactment concert in Onanole will provide some lasting memories for those who attend.

On Thursday, July 22, some of the best musicians in Westman will gather together to recreate The Last Waltz. The idea for the concert came from the minds of Cam McKillop and Murray Evans as a result of the Route 10 Jam Sessions at the Sonics Festival in Onanole.

Although Evans claims that “the idea of re-creating the Last Waltz isn’t entirely original. But we have so many players living in the Clear Lake area; either seasonal or full time, we thought we could utilize some of them for a big show. The Last Waltz had such musical diversity that we thought this would be better than just another jam session.”

With such big shoes to fill, “the ‘casting’ was done more as a wish list. Some of the members physically resemble their characters and some were ‘alternate universe’ ideas. Alana Levandoski as Dylan is a real coup, as is Cam’s 16-year-old son Colton doing Mannish Boy, originally sung by Muddy Waters. We realized there was no better picks for those two performers.” Levandoski is of course a well-known Manitoba roots singer/songwriter who use to call Kelwood home.

Murray Evans, of The Dust Poets and journalistic writer of worldly travels, will be portraying bass man Rick Danco. Cam McKillop, a seasoned player who has performed in numerous local and touring bands, will be none other than guitar god Eric Clapton. Filling the keys of Garth Hudson is Dave Oakey, who is the keyboard player for Big Dyck Cadillac. Iain Edye (aka Whittaker) a regular on the Clear Lake jam sessions will be sitting behind the kit as he takes on the essence of Levon Helm.

Rounding up the members of the group are the new kids on the block so to speak. Logan McKillop is a fantastic guitarist from the Onanole area. His musical skills are already gaining a big reputation around Westman and he is sure to shine as Robbie Robertson. Joining Logan is his good friend Andrei Dandridge-Evancio. He is a classically trained pianist and will use those skills as he takes on the role of Richard Manuel.

When asked the motivation behind the concert Evans gave the best possible answer, “we’re doing this for fun. Musicians love a challenge and hopefully the audience will be in it for fun as well”. I am certain with the line up and material in store no one will leave disappointed.

Perhaps the only way that is possible is if you don’t get a ticket. As this is a licensed event tickets will only be sold in advance through Poor Michael’s Bookshop in Onanole, 848 0336. Tickets are $16.

The concert is being held at the Onanole Rec Centre in Onanole.

Starring as The Band:

Logan McKillop as Robbie Robertson; Murray D. Evans as Rick Danko; Iain Edye as Levon Helm; Andrei Dandridge-Evancio as Richard Manuel; Dave Oakey as Garth Hudson; Cam McKillop as Eric Clapton. Featuring: Alana Levandoski as Bob Dylan; Martin Finnie as Neil Young; Katy Slimmon as Joni Mitchell; John Webber as Van Morrison; Alyse McKillop as Emmylou Harris; Don Kille as Ronnie Hawkins; Dave Oakey as Dr. John; Colton McKillop as Muddy Waters; Don Sullivan as Ringo Starr; Patrick Sullivan as Ron Wood; Dave McArther as Paul Butterfield. Special Guests: Tom Mathews - fiddle; Richard Golletz - accordion; Ron Thomas - accordion;A valon Shavers - ukulele.