Bowling and bonding
Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week kicks off at The Alley
When P.E.I. singer-songwriters are touring, it can be months before they get to see each other again.
So, opportunities to meet or catch up with old friends are often few and far between.
For this reason, Music P.E.I. decided to do something special to kick off Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week in Charlottetown.
They invited their members to an informal night of finger food and bowling at The Alley.
“We thought it would be a fun way to start the event and really put the focus on the artists and the community that’s involved here. So many of us are already working together that we miss the experience of hanging out and celebrating,” says Cynthia MacLeod, Credit Union Music P.E.I. Week manager.
Between talking and sampling pesto squares, pan-seared fish cakes, tourtiere bites and key lime tarts, washed down with their favourite brew, people were having fun on Wednesday evening.
“This is really nice. After being on the road for a couple of months at a time, we don’t get to see friendly faces, so tonight is a great opportunity to do that,” says Caleb Gallant of Ten Strings and a Goat Skin.
Friendship was also on the mind of indie folk artist Maureen Trainor.
“I’m kind of new to the singersongwriter thing, and this is my first official event. So it’s great to get together and meet everybody,” says Trainor, who is recording her first CD with Jon Matthews at the Sound Mill Studio.
Mitchell Gallant agrees. “It’s a chance to talk and mingle. There’s free bowling, which is great. And there are snacks to be had, which is also great,” he says.
Rob Oakie, Music P.E.I.’s executive director, also thinks it’s great. As he watches the relaxing evening unfold, he says the whole reason for bringing music week back to January was to focus on building the music community.
“This is a really informal get together tonight. It’s an opportunity to hang out. That’s the motivation behind it. And, if anyone wants to get up and bowl a little bit, they can.”