Tuesday 21 July 2015

Flatbush Rocks one more time

For the Westlock News

Thunderstruck lead singer Ken Stone belts out an AC/DC classic during the fifth annual Flatbush Rocks music festival held July 18.(Eric Bowling/WN)
 
What may have been the last of the Flatbush Rocks concerts went down with a bang as AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck blew the lid off the Flatbush Community Complex July 18.

Thunderstruck was one of three bands invited back to the popular barnburner along with classic rockers Big Red Shoe and country singer Kory Wlos, from Boyle.

Organizers decided to bring back some of the most popular acts from previous years, but this year was the first year that the concert featured three separate bands — usually the show featured an opening act and a headliner.

“Instead of a huge band coming out with a small opener, we decided to have three bands this year,” said Kandee Stadnyk, who organized the entire event this year,

”It’s just a really nice chance for the farming community to take a break from the stresses of the farm.”

Stadnyk said the concert was the brainchild of a community-wide love of classic rock throughout the Flatbush community.

“I kind of wanted to liven things up and give the community an event that everyone could take part in that wasn’t too far from home,” said Stadnyk.

Concertgoers were also able to camp out at the community complex over the weekend.

The concert, which has brought in acts like April Wine, Honeymoon Suite and Trooper, was up until this year funded by the Flatbush Community Association. However, this year Stadnyk took up the mantle to keep the tradition alive.

“This year my husband and I actually took on the financial responsibility for the concert ourselves, “ said Stadnyk, explaining that the community association was losing money every year the concert was put on.

“It wasn’t great business for them to continue going and losing money,” said Stadnyk. “So my husband and I decided to do it on our own behalf — not with the intention of making money but just to keep it going for one more year and see things went.

“We’re hoping to break even this year. We would really, really like the tradition to continue, but for two people and a few friends, it’s just a lot to do.”

Stadnyk said she is hoping the fun night inspires concertgoers and the community to band together and keep the party alive.

“The best thing about it is seeing everyone have a really good time,” Stadnyk concluded.
 

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