Alixandra Cowman (left), Amy Burks, Joel Stephanson, Lauren de Graaf, Bill Hamm, Ryan Schroeder, and Nathan Schmidt will get your toes tapping in Cotton Patch Gospel, playing until August 24 at Rosebud Theatre. The musical retells the story of Jesus in 20th century rural Georgia and is filled with great songs and laughs.

    Rosebud Theatre said thank you last week to those who tirelessly battled the flooding in Southern Alberta.
    On Thursday evening, Rosebud Theatre invited emergency responders and city staff from Calgary, and members of the Carbon, Rosebud, Rockyford, and Standard Fire Departments to see Cotton Patch Gospel.
    Among those who attended was Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
    “It’s fantastic. I’ve been wanting to come for over ten years and I’m excited to finally come out. The talent is incredible, the harmonies are tight, and the acting is great,” said Nenshi. “I’m happy to be here, especially with my colleagues from the city. The theatre was kind enough to invite people, who have been working really hard with the flood, to have a night out with their families. It was so generous of them,” “It’s terrific. We’ve got some of our firefighters, police officers, emergency services, and social services.”
    The show was a toe-tapping  bluegrass retelling of the life of Jesus, set in  20th century rural Georgia. The show stars Amy Burks, Alixandra Cowman, Lauren de Graaf, Bill Hamm, Nathan Schmidt, Ryan Schroeder, and Joel Stephanson as a band telling the story of Jesus.
    Each band member takes upon different roles as the story progresses. For example, Burks might be representing one of the 12 apostles one moment and then the corrupt Governor of Georgia the next. Luckily, the story usually makes it clear who is who as things move along.
    The best part of the show is undoubtedly the music, which was written by Harry Chapin, writer of “Cat’s in the Cradle.” The songs range from the humerous to the moving, and each is expertly performed by the band on stage.
    Another highlight is the humour interspersed throughout the show, which comes from transposing the story of Jesus to a modern setting.
    However, through the music and the jokes, the message rings out loud and clear.
    Cotton Patch Gospel is still running at Rosebud Theatre until August 24.

    A new skateboard park in Drumheller is moving closer to becoming a reality.
    At the July 29 meeting of Town Council, a delegation from the Drumheller Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts (DASE) outlined their plans and requested the Town grant them the use of the land north of the fountain and west of the Aquaplex.
    In total, the piece of land, a grassy area where both tourists and locals congregate for picnics and recreation, amounts to roughly 10,000 square feet.
    During the next meeting of Town Council, scheduled for August 26, Council will decide the fate of the skatepark, though in the past, the Town has supported the choice of location.
    “In principle, the Town has already given approval for that site with our in-kind work, but for a formal request for decision we have some more work to do before it can be presented to Council. What we ask is to work through administration and bring back a formal document. Then we can make a decision,” said Mayor Terry Yemen.
    During the meeting concerns were raised about how crowded the Spray Park area currently is and a skatepark would exacerbate the situation. DASE feels it won’t be a problem.
    “We’ve stood on the site a number of times throughout the day... at this point, we feel we can interface all the different areas nicely. There are definitely concerns. When we put things to the public we want to make sure we are progressing,” said Brooke Christensen, president of DASE.

Brooke Christensen, right, president of the Drumheller Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts, and Trevor Morgan, of New Line Skateparks, present their plans to build a new skatepark in Drumheller. DASE is hoping to build the skatepark north of the fountain and west of the Aquaplex.

    The goal is to build a concrete park that compliments the surrounding area and terrain. To do that, DASE has retained New Line Skateparks to design the park. New Line has built roughly 25 parks throughout Canada, the closest being Airdrie.
    “We want to make each site unique to the community. From our perspective, it is a suitable site. At the top  of the list (of requirements) you want to have visibility and accessibility, which this site certainly provides,” said Trevor Morgan, representing New Line Skateparks.
    So far, DASE has raised $295,000, out of a goal of $500,000 for construction. Earlier this year, DASE, in conjunction with the Town of Drumheller, were unsuccessful in two grant applicaions. They have reapplied and are hoping to receive $125,000 in grants.
    DASE feels building a skatepark is an essential piece in Drumheller’s recreation offerings.
    “Our current lack of facilities in town for youth to participate in action sports like this is not a good thing. It leads to people skateboarding in not the best places, like in front of businesses, churches, or community buildings,” said Christensen. “We’re a committed group of skateboarders...we’ve come together to try to promote the sport of skateboarding. It’s not just skateboarding, skateparks are open to all sorts of other sports, like rollerblades and BMX.”
    DASE estimates there are between 200 and 300 residents who skateboard, rollerblade, or BMX regularly and more would take up the hobbies should a proper facility be built.