Get ready for a howling good time at the annual Freaker's Ball
By Boundary Sentinel
Get your costumes ready for a ghoulishly fun time at the annual Freaker’s Ball! This local tradition is a fund raising dance renowned as the best Halloween party in town. Part of the fun at the Freaker’s is the chance to win great prizes for creative costumes, enjoy catered appetizers throughout the night, and, of course, dancing the night away. Les Folles Jambettes Cancan Troupe, recipients of a 2011 volunteer award from the City of Grand Forks, is busy again hosting the popular Ball on Saturday, Oct. 29. They are finished their busy show season and won’t be dancing on Halloween this time though! To change things up this year, Roxy, a band based in Nelson who has been rocking audiences throughout the Kootenays for the past three years, will be serving up the dance tunes. This five piece band, fronted by female singer Rease Warner, covers a broad range of tunes by artists such as Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers, The Police, U2, The Eagles, and many more. The band jokingly refers to their style as “R & D” – recognizable and danceable! The band features two guitarists, Darren Mahe and Roger Luscombe who masterfully support each others’ playing, sharing the complex rhythms, scorching solos and occasional slide work. Mahe, a music instructor for Selkirk College, has traveled extensively across western Canada, playing in clubs and opening for acts such as Trooper, Prism, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mahe has played with guest clinicians such as bassist Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani and Steve Vai) and drummer Pat Mastelotto from King Crimson. Luscombe has been an electric blues guitarist, an acoustic guitar player, percussionist, and also a student of Mahe’s for years. Driving the band’s rhythm is Don Walker who, after 20 years traveling the world as a drummer, vocalist, and band leader on Princess Cruise ships, has settled in Nelson and is very much in demand as a session player and soundman when not playing with Roxy. Walker sings some lead vocals with the band, and, along with Mahe, joins Rease in lots of three-part harmonies. Completing the rhythm section is Dave Scanlan, who has played bass in many hard- working duos, trios, and larger bands throughout the Kootenays. He also plays acoustic guitar, and is a singer/songwriter who performs occasionally when not busy with the band.
Eat, drink and be scary at the Freaker’s Ball on Saturday, Oct. 29th at the Grand Forks Wildlife Hall. The doors open at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at: Thistle Pot Gifts and The Source in Grand Forks and at Huckleberry Mountain Market in Christina Lake.
