The Fortunate Ones concert saw a full Humboldt and District Gallery house on April 5, sponsored by Causeway Health.
The Humboldt crowd was treated to the Newfoundland duo of Catherine Allan and Andrew James O鈥橞rien鈥檚 folk-pop harmonies with Allan on the keyboard, accordion, and percussion and O鈥橞rien on the guitar and some percussion.
Both say they have been welcomed with open arms to communities across the province, Humboldt included, which was stop number seven on the second leg of their Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils Stars for Saskatchewan tour.
The duo kicked off the first leg of their Saskatchewan tour in Watrous back in October travelling to nine different communities before wrapping it up for the winter. They returned to Saskatchewan for their spring tour starting in Bengough on March 27 for another nine shows, wrapping up in Swift Current on April 12.
Both legs have been very sturdy, laughs O鈥橞rien.
With so many concerts they blend together a little bit, says Allan but some little gems have stood out for them.
Humboldt does seem to be a lively spot, says Allan, and is one of the bigger spots they have been to.
It may be un-Canadian but O鈥橞rien says they have had some excellent cups of coffee in places that are not Tim Hortons while they are on the road.
They have also had great home cooking and that is what stands out, he says.
鈥淭he hospitality is second to none out here. People are so friendly and they鈥檙e very happy that you鈥檝e come.鈥�
Besides putting on shows for grateful people, especially the arts council volunteers who really believe in what they are doing, the weather鈥檚 been an absolute game changer, says O鈥橞rien.
Newfoundland and Labrador has been pummeled by snow over the past few days with Gander, Nfld. receiving 97 cm over 72 hours bringing their new record up to 238 cm of snow in total.
So when O鈥橞rien and Allan say they are glad for the sunshine, they are not kidding.
鈥淣ewfoundland is blocked in ice right now and I鈥檓 walking around in short sleeves.鈥�
Travelling around Saskatchewan and enjoying the sunshine has been the biggest challenge because they only get to be in one place for so long.
Allan and O鈥橞rien met thanks to Allan鈥檚 older brother. Allan was invited to sing with the band but was hesitant thanks to some stage fright.
鈥淎t the time I was only early 20s, so I was like, if I don鈥檛 do it know now I might not ever sing in front of people.鈥�
It is all history from there and that was in 2010, says Allan.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty fateful,鈥� she says.
That wraps up the OSAC鈥檚 Star鈥檚 for Saskatchewan four part concert series. Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery Director, Jennifer Fitzpatrick says that with such positive feedback they are already planning their next concert series for the fall.
