Alaska Highway Road Show – On to Ottawa!
On to Ottawa!
After a successful summer tour, Kathy, Bill, and Allison are heading to Ottawa for two performances at the Canadian War Museum on November 25th. Both shows are FREE, but pre-registration is required for tickets. For more information, check out these links:
- 2:00pm matinee performance of the touring production “Alaska Highway Road Show”
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-alaska-highway-road-show-tickets-39095908916?aff=es2
- 7:30pm performance of “Alaska Highway Detours,” a casual cafe-style format with highlights from the main show and audience interaction.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-alaska-highway-detours-tickets-39096571899?aff=es2
Presented in partnership with the Canadian War Museum, and the Ottawa Public Library
Find the latest updates on the 2017 Alaska Highway Road Show on Facebook
The Alaska Highway Road Show Photo Gallery (Click on a Photo for Full Resolution) – Photos by Tracy Rondeau
The ALASKA HIGHWAY ROAD SHOW
Edmonton to Whitehorse, July 2017
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Alaska Highway Road Show, (AHRS) is a touring celebration marking the occasion of the famous route’s 75th anniversary. The show launches in early July, 2017, at the Provincial Archives of Alberta as part of Edmonton’s Historic Festival. It will then head north, visiting 11 other communities and eventually wrap up in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Performances range from large city performance halls to small spaces in villages like Teslin and Lower Post.
The AHRS celebrates the Trail of ’42 with three artists whose families have a long history in the north. Bill Dolan, Allison Tubman and Kathy Jessup weave together research, family stories, music, artifacts and photographs to present an entertaining look back on the route’s remarkable 75-year history. Raised as “highway kids,” they lend an authentic voice to this ninety-minute tribute concert. Audiences will gain an appreciation of why the Alaska Highway deserves to be Canada’s newest National Historic Site and why truckers and all those who’ve called it home over the years proudly share a special bond. The Trail of ’42 is a remarkable story, and as the Highway reaches its 75th birthday, this is the time to tell it!
THE ARTISTS
Kathy Jessup: Producer-Artistic Director of the AHRS/ Storyteller
Kathy was raised in Fort Nelson, B.C. but now spends much of her time performing nationally and internationally. Highlights include telling stories in Scotland, Iceland, and Africa—and touring Canada from one end to the other, north and south! She currently resides in Edmonton, where she is Artistic Director of the TALES Storytelling Festival. Fortunately, Kathy’s northern roots pull her home every chance she gets. Her family connections to the Alaska Highway date back to its earliest days, and during the 1950’s her parents owned “Lum ‘n’ Abners,” a stopping place at mile 233. For the ROAD SHOW, Kathy features tales of the dramatic challenges that faced Highway construction crews and early residents.
Bill Dolan: Musician
Bill grew up listening to tales told by his father, Frank, one of the early commercial truck drivers on the Alaska Highway. An accomplished musician and former teacher, Bill soon realized these anecdotes were not only entertaining, they were also historical gems. As Bill relates Frank’s memories, audiences get a glimpse in to a dramatic time in Canadian history from a very personal point of view. A life-long highway resident, Bill loves to share these anecdotes along with songs about (and inspired by) the North country. His performing history is varied, with rhythm guitar and vocal roles in several bands over the years. Career Highlights include a lengthy stint at Expo 86 in Vancouver as part of the Northern Showcase stage, and most recently, his original song Trail of ’42 was selected for the Alaska Highway 75th Anniversary commemorative CD.
Allison Tubman: Author
In 2014, Allison’s striking book The McDonalds: The Lives & Legends of a Kaska Dena Family won a silver medal at the IndieFab Awards, and in 2015- another silver medal at the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Since then, she has been hired as a popular speaker at schools, libraries and museums along the Alaska Highway. As one of the few remaining members of her tribe, she is passionate about honouring the legacy left to her. During the AHRS, Allison will share personal artifacts, photographs and memories of her extended family, including those of her great-grandfather, renowned Alaska highway guide Charlie McDonald. Allison’s powerful images take us inside the lives of her ancestors – pre and post Highway- a resilient and self sufficient people, who have lived in the mountains of north eastern B.C. for many generations.
2017 Tour Schedule and Dates
Want to download a poster? Click on the links below to print them and post wherever you can!
Dawson Creek AH Road Show Poster
Fort St. John AH Road Show Poster
| ALASKA HIGHWAY ROAD SHOW | ||
| 2017 90 minute performance – no intermission | ||
| ALBERTA | ||
| Smith | July 3, 7:00 pm | PREVIEW performance – Smith Community Hall Advance ticket sales: sheila.willis@fhnas.ca $10 -cash only- at the door: 1019- 10th (Main) Street |
| Edmonton | July 4 & 5, 7:00 pm | TOUR LAUNCH – Provincial Archives of Alberta (FREE) Limited seating – FREE tickets at: www.eventbrite.ca or call 780-427-1750 |
| Grande Prairie | July 6, 7:00 pm | Grande Prairie Museum Tickets $10 -cash only- in advance from venue: 10329- 101 Avenue Cash only at the door |
| BRITISH COLUMBIA | ||
| Dawson Creek | July 7, 7:00 pm | Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre Tickets $10 -cash only- in advance from venue: 10401 -10 Street Cash only at the door |
| Fort St. John | July 8, 7:30 pm Pre-show and Reception 6:30pm |
North Peace Cultural Centre Tickets $10 + fees. Available online npcc.bc.ca, in advance at Box Office: 10015- 100 Avenue and at the door |
| Fort Nelson | July 9, 7:30 pm | Phoenix Theatre Tickets $10 + fees. Available in advance at venue: 5319 50th Avenue S. Credit card sales: 250-774-2241, and tickets sold at the door |
| Toad River | July 16, 6:30 pm | Toad River Community Hall
Tickets $10 -cash only- at the door. Mile 422, Alaska Highway |
| Lower Post | July 17, 12:30 pm | Matinee performance – Denetia School (FREE) Host: Daylu Dena Council |
| Muncho Lake | July 20, 6:30pm | Northern Rockies Lodge: Dinner-Show (special price applies)
Reserve in advance: http://www.northernrockieslodge.com/roadshow |
| YUKON TERRITORY | ||
| Watson Lake | July 17, 7:00 pm | Morgan Chaddock Community Hall 912 Lake View Avenue Tickets $10 Advance tickets: 867-536-8020 Cash only at the door |
| Teslin | July 18, 1:00 pm | Matinee performance – Tlingit Heritage Centre (FREE) KM 1248, Alaska Highway- watch for signage / Host: Teslin Tlingit Council |
| Whitehorse | July 19, 7:00 pm | MacBride Museum of Yukon History Tickets $10 online www.macbridemuseum.com, in advance at venue: 1124 Front St, by phone 867-667-2709 , and at the door |
Click here for a CBC Daybreak North interview with Allison, Kathy and Bill
Alaska Highway News, July 12, 2017
A huge thank you to the Alaska Highway Road Show Sponsors:
