Musical Destinations

A new study recently released, claims that attending live music concerts every two weeks can greatly increase your lifespan. While this particular study was commissioned by a music promoter who one might argue has a vested interest, there’s still the simple truth that music makes people happy, and happy people generally tend to live longer. A longevity that must surely double if you get to travel to a favourite destination, and triple when you realize it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to do so.

If you love live music, or you are just looking to fulfil your bi-weekly quota, here’s a few suggestions for some nearby musical destinations:

Ghostown Blues

While most people get the ghostown aspect of Ghostown Blues

Bed and Breakfast’s name the minute they step onto the property with its pioneer cabins and wagons spread about in ghostown fashion, many don’t know that the “Blues” aspect comes from the many concerts they host. Featuring both an indoor and an outdoor stage they host both hot summer night outdoor concerts and cozy shoulder season concerts in their centralized Lodge, with the added benefit of being able to stay overnight only steps away from the action. With such Juno nominee talent as Little Miss. Higgins, David Gogo, Romi Mayes, and John Wort Hannam having taken to their stage in the past, there’s no shortage of musical expertise in the acts they bring in. Now add in a warm summer evening, a wooden stage for dancing, lawn chairs and a campfire, and you’ve got the perfect mix to bring you closer to that longer life expectancy.

Jasper Lounge and Events Centre

Say the Jasper Hotel to old timers who grew up in and around Maple Creek and they might remember the sideways door installed to stop cowboys from riding their horses in, or the glory days of its coloured past, but today’s Jasper Lounge is a far cry from its historic beginnings. Revived as a place where travellers and residents alike can find honest to goodness entertainment, their musical functions have spread from gothic punk to country twang and everything in between, including some hot new up and comers like

Rob Stewart former front man for the

Mirrors in his first solo tour, and the sophisticated folk sounds of the Big Little

Lions.

For those who like to make their own music, the Jasper Lounge and Events Centre also regularly hosts Open Mic Nights and Karaoke. And who doesn’t get happy when listening to or singing along with karaoke?

Broken Spoke Fine Art Gallery

Fine purveyors of visual arts, the Broken Spoke in Maple Creek has also grown to become a go-to location for those who love the musical arts as well. A unique venue that blends both mediums to perfection, it’s eclectic roster of artists have included the celtic sounds of

Irish Mythen, the foot stompin fun of Twin

Fiddles, and the traditional bluegrass sounds of Matthew Hornell and Andrew Sneddon, with an upcoming concert in November that will feature awardwinning recording artist Jeffrey Straker. When you get music for both your eyes and your ears, you must surely double your return on your happiness investment.

The Resort at Cypress Hills

You never know what you’ll get at The Resort at Cypress Hills when it comes to music. Constantly switching it up from Summer Kick-offs to Dueling Pianos, and summer jams to sad end of summer laments, considering The Resort is many people’s “happy place” to being with, what could be better than enjoying the beautiful surroundings all year round, with music to accompany it? Keep watch for musical interludes throughout the year!

The Elkwater Lake Lodge

Beautiful surroundings and wine usually accompany the musical interests of the Elkwater Lake Lodge. A big feature of their Annual Wine in the Hills, Wine Festival held each October, with music on both the Friday and the Saturday nights of the festival, you’ll also see music dotted throughout the year as date night getaway opportunities, and Christmas party celebrations, ensuring that the Cypress Hills are constantly alive with the sounds of music.

Grotto Gardens

Music can also be a family affair at Grotto Gardens. Located just outside of Maple Creek on the highway up to the Cypress Hills, Grotto Gardens celebrates summer with lots of great musicinspired events from Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to their annual Family Day in August when kids and parents alike can enjoy goat yoga, eat great Saskatoon-inspired baked treats, get their faces painted, and pet all the farmyard animals, all with a live musical soundtrack to accompany the fun.

Music Inspired Events

If looking for a music inspired event, you’ve got plenty all within a short travel distance. From June’s Hills are Alive Festival celebrating the sounds of Metisinspired music in Elkwater and Leader’s Wild West Days with country-rock themed music, to the Grasslander Classic and the Badlands Blast in both the West and East Blocks of Grasslands National Park in July and August respectively, the inspirational Frenchman River Gospel Jamboree in Shaunavon in August, and the poetic country sounds found at Maple Creek’s Cowboy Poetry in September.

If looking to expand your lifespan and your happiness there’s no better way than a musical destination.