Taking it to the planet

After their first Islander Day meet and greet was such a huge success last year, members of Islanders By Choice Alliance (IBCA) wanted to expand the highly-social event.

“Having one party didn’t seem inclusive enough. So, we thought, let’s have a few parties. Then it snowballed into let’s have parties across the Island simultaneously,” says Heather Wilson, executive producer of P.E.I.’s Biggest Kitchen Party, taking place on Feb. 20.

However, she found herself in a bit of a quandary.

How could she reach out to the 661 members of the alliance — many of whom were living in different places around the world — as well as anyone else who would want to attend?

“Last year we had comments on our Facebook page from people who missed the event, saying they would have loved to attend because they loved the Island,” says Wilson.

“Some were planning to move here. Others were working out west. Still others were summer visitors. This year we wanted to include them as well.”

So, after much thought and discussion with service provider BellAlliant, members decided to live stream three of the main venues — Murphy’s Community Centre in Charlottetown, Credit Union Place, Summerside and the Black Rafter Lounge in Souris. 

“Using video cameras at each location, we’re putting it on the Internet. That way everyone all over the world could join in the celebrations,” Wilson says, adding the planning committee decided to turn the formal meet-and-greet into a relaxing kitchen party.

“It’s P.E.I. culture. What better way to bring everyone together than through music?” Wilson says.

Board member Patrick Kinnear is thrilled with the large number of emails he’s getting about the event. In addition to the streamed kitchen parties, there are confirmed events happening in Morell, Tyne Valley, Murray River, O’Leary and Tignish. There’s even a related house party in B.C.

“It’s overwhelming. We’ve received messages from people all over the world telling us how great this thing is,” says Kinnear, adding  the live steaming event is sponsored by BellAliant. “We’re inviting people to use Twitter or Facebook to interact with each other. We’re also providing a live link that will be available to participants on the day of the kitchen party on the website (peikitchenparty.ca).”

Each venue will have a camera and projector so people there and online will be able to view what’s happening, says Charlottetown co-ordinator Margie Villard. “People can add to the excitement of what they’re seeing by sending along videos of P.E.I. that will be shown during the kitchen party.”

For the Charlottetown party, comedian Francois Weber will be master of ceremonies; musical acts include Ten Strings and Goat Skin, Kelley Mooney and Amanda Rae Gallant. A newcomer to P.E.I.’s music scene, Gallant is pumped.

“It’s a great way to get some exposure,” says the singer-songwriter, whose musical repertoire ranges from the 1950s to present day. I’ll sing some blues, some pop and a little classic rock. I’ll also bring a little bit of glamour and flair to the show,” she says.

In Summerside, the host is singer-songwriter Gordon Belsher. The lineup includes Richard Wood, Johnny Oliver, Wally Young, Allan Sonier and Taylor Sonier, Johnny Ross, the College of Piping, Eric Payne, Jennifer Carson, the Reel School of Dance and the Judy MacLean Dancers.

“It’s going to be a toe-tapping good time, a high-energy event,” says Carrie MacLean, organizer of the Summerside show with Mel-anie Bailey and Belinda Woods.

In Souris, Melvin Ford will host the celebrations with entertainers Mary Chaisson and Lem Chaisson, Billy White, Peggy Clinton and Lester Stubbert, Pam Grant and Sasha Bruce, Christa Young and Sharon Winters and JJ Chiasson and guests.  The show is creating a huge vibe in her community, says Joeanne Roche, Souris organizer.

“Donnie Aitken tells us that the Black Rafter Lounge can hold 220 people, and we’re pretty positive we’re going to fill it,” says Roche adding that everyone attending the Souris party is asked to bring along a non-perishable food item for the food bank.