Rock’n August is that carefree summer gathering that allows folks to reminisce about Elvis and Fats Domino, sock hops and chrome-studded cars.
One of the most anticipated events is the third annual Rock’n August Music Festival, a nostalgic road trip to some of the big names from the ’60s to the ’80s.
This year’s festival concert features Kim Mitchell, Kenny Shields and Streetheart and Prism at Servus Credit Union Place on Friday, Aug. 15.
Underneath the entertainment sparkle, Rock’n August organizers are dedicating this event as a fundraiser for the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
“I anticipate doing well this year,” said Rock’n August chair Mike Howes. “The lineup is as good or better than last year.”
Kim Mitchell released a new live video entitled Thoughts from Kim in May 2014. Currently a radio show host for CILQ-FM in Toronto, he led the Max Webster rock band and launched a successful solo career with eight studio albums under his belt. Five hit platinum status.
Ain’t Life Amazing (2007) was his last solo album. Although Mitchell hasn’t released any fresh original songs, he continues to be a big draw on the festival circuit.
“I’ve never seen him, but I understand he has lots of energy and draws a lot of people,” said Howes.
He recalls attending the 2012 Saskatoon Brier where crowds were turned away from Mitchell’s sellout concert.
Another throwback that captured the hearts of Canadians was Kenny Shields and Streetheart, the prairie band that hit gold status with their hybrid cover version of Under My Thumb.
“It’s a band most people like and can sing a lot of words to their songs. And they fit in with the Rock’n August theme.”
West Coast band Prism is a pop-rock band that generated a surreal vibe and garnered a fair bit of notoriety across the country. Their 1979 Armageddon single hit No. 23 on the charts.
However, the band made history after its single Spaceship Superstar was chosen as the wakeup call for Space Shuttle Discovery crew members.
Howes noted the concert festival has grown a great deal in the last three years. The first year 550 people attended. Last year, Rock’n August sold more than 1,900 tickets. This year organizers hope to break the previous record.
Tickets for the concert range from $39 to $59 plus fees. Visit ticketmaster.ca.
Preview
Kim Mitchell, Kenny Shields, Streetheart and Prism<br />Rock’n August Music Festival<br />Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.<br />Servus Credit Union Place<br />400 Campbell Rd.
Volunteers needed
To make the event a success, organizers need more volunteers as ticket sellers, ticket takers, button sellers, count room attendants, ushers and crowd control security.<br />Anyone who would like to volunteer can email [email protected] or telephone Mike Howes at 780-699-4539.
