Celtic rock group entertains enthusiastic Canora audience

The Canora Arts Council concert at Canora Composite School featured the Derina Harvey Band, a five-member group where everyone hails from Canada’s east coast.

In addition to their wide-ranging musical talents, the band brought a refreshing dose of east coast enthusiasm and humour to just over 100 music fans in attendance in Canora on May 11.

Comments from concertgoers included: “Great entertainment,” “Wonderful, fun and humorous,” and “So enjoyable, great sound.”

“We have been happily touring all over the place, 13 shows in 15 days in Ontario, and now Saskatchewan with 10 shows in 12 days,” said Harvey. “You live in a postcard here in Saskatchewan, are you aware of this? We drive around in this province in our Dodge Caravan, and we’re forever stopping and taking pictures of barns, fields, sunsets and all the other lovely scenery you have here.”

The Derina Harvey Band thoroughly entertained the audience at Canora Composite School on May 11. From left, were: Scott Greene (harmony vocals, electric guitar, banjo), Steve Pinsent (drums), Derina Harvey (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Jessica Blenis (harmony vocals, fiddle, viola) and Ed Smith (harmony vocals, bass, piano).

As the band opened the concert, Harvey encouraged those in attendance to join them for an evening of a musical “Excursion around the Bay” which happened to be the title of their first song, written by Johnny Burke.

She instructed the audience to echo back “Hey” when it came up during the song, and was clearly quite impressed with their enthusiasm.

Portland Town by Schooner Fare was the next number. It was quickly evident that Harvey has a powerful and expressive voice, and is back by a talented and versatile group of musicians. In addition to lead vocals, Harvey also plays acoustic guitar. Other group members are:

Steve Pinsent, drums, who co-founded the group in in 2006 with Harvey; Scott Greene, harmony vocals, electric guitar and banjo, joined in 2009; Ed Smith, harmony vocals, bass and piano, also joined in 2009 and Jessica Blenis, harmony vocals, fiddle, viola, and she joined the group in 2018.

Throughout the evening there was spontan- his final season with the Huskies, Makuoi made it into the starting line-up 25 of the 30 games played. He finished the season averaging 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 53 percent from the field. Makuoi transferred to Tennessee State University for the 202223 season. In his final NCAA season, he started all 32 games averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 22.4 minutes per game while shooting 62 percent from the field. Makuoi lead his team in total rebounds (175), rebounds per game (5.5), total blocks (35), and blocks per game (1.1). In his final year, he set new career-bests with 18 points (Dec 20), and four blocks (Jan 12).

Now stepping up to the pro level Makuoi said he just hopes to bring effort to whatever role he earns with the Rattlers.

“I’m just going to try to bring some energy,” he said. ... I just like playing basketball. Competing is all I want to do, Now my main focus is I want to be a professional basketball player.” eous applause, often in the middle of a song.

The Rattler season begins May 31, hosting the Vancouver Bandits.

The first original Derina Harvey Band song of the concert was Grow, which we all do in different ways, according to Harvey.

She encouraged the audience to continue to support the local music scene.

“Thank you so much for supporting your local entertainment committee and for keeping the lights on,” she said. Continued on Page A5

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