Juno Award-winning and internationally acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter and comedian Norman Foote said he can remember the first time he met Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) owner Thor Froslev.
I was sixteen years old, Foote said. I was standing in front of what is now the Brackendale Art Gallery hitchhiking to a lake, when this guy comes along and tells me about his plans to build a tea house, venue and art gallery on the site. I remember thinking, 'Someday, I'm going to play in there.'
Foote is well known for his singing and songwriting talents, offbeat sense of humour and children's performances. He's written for Walt Disney Records, Shari Lewis, and recently wrote a musical version of popular kids' cartoon show Max and Ruby that he got to see performed on Broadway.
He also eventually got his wish, and has been a welcome act at the BAG ever since.
I really do love that place, he said. You really have to respect all that Thor has done in promoting the arts and bringing in quality acts to the community to play, and having a place where artists in the community can play. To be honest, in all my career and all the people I've met in the industry, Thor is the most fascinating guy I know.
Foote returns to the venue on Saturday (April 20) to host and perform at Doin' It For A Song, with The Overcomers (Mario and Anne Iacovone) and the Sea 'T' Sky Big Band.
We do this every few years at the art gallery, Foote said. It's a great opportunity for a bunch of musicians to get together and play their music and we just call it Doin' It For A Song. It's always a big success.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 and available at the BAG and Xocolatl.
Watch Foote sing-
