Lineup, new dates announced for Shake the Lake fest
The Conexus Arts Centre is shaking things up by rescheduling its annual two-day classic rock extravaganza.
Shake the Lake will now take place on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, after the outdoor festival was originally scheduled for a week later (Aug. 30-31).
According to Neil Donnelly, CEO of the Conexus Arts Centre, the change was based in part on feedback from customers who preferred that the festival not run on the Labour Day long weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2). That's when the Saskatchewan Roughriders face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the traditional Labour Day Classic.
By moving the festival up a week, it also created further options for securing top musical acts like Saturday night headliner George Thorogood, who wasn't available Aug. 30-31.
“In trying to put together the lineup, I was having a really tough time with those (original) dates,” explained Donnelly. “When
Thorogood came (up) as an option, his only dates were the weekend prior to that. We (contacted) all the acts we had booked at that point. They were all available and accommodating to make the change for us, so we bumped it back to the weekend prior.”
The festival starts off Aug. 23 with a performance by local opener, School of Rock. Alfie Zappacosta will take the stage at 4:30 p.m., followed by Sweet at 5:45 p.m., Streetheart at 7:15 p.m., and Glass Tiger at 9 p.m.
The local opener on Aug. 24 has yet to be determined. Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd will perform at 4:30 p.m., Sass Jordan at 5:45 p.m., Steven Paige at 7:15 p.m. and George Thorogood and the Destroyers at 9 p.m.
The gates open at 3 p.m. on both days of the festival, which takes place outside of the Conexus Arts Centre along Wascana Lake.
“The new dates allow us to showcase an incredible roster of talent, ensuring that fans will have an unforgettable weekend filled with incredible music and memories,” Donnelly said in a news release.
Premium weekend passes and weekend general admission passes will be available for purchase starting this Thursday at noon. There will be a limited number of early bird weekend passes for sale, after which prices increase. Day passes go on sale May 1 at noon.
Tickets and parking passes are available on the Conexus Arts Centre's website and through the box office at 306-525-9999.