Gala show fit for royalty

CBC News
May 20, 2005

SASKATOON – People are calling the star-studded Lieutenant Governor's Centennial Gala the party of the century.

The biggest star of all, the Queen, sat regally watching the show from a special box.

The stage was a spectacular display of light and colour, with dozens of dancers on the stage at times.

Traditional First Nations dancers, modern dancers, colourful Ukrainian dancers, and ballet dancers all shared the stage for a visually stunning dance routine.

The audience was wowed by the performances, from the classical music of the Amati quartet, to the rich blues tones of Regina singer Dione Taylor.

It was an eclectic mix of artists, and featured some of Saskatchewan's own royalty. Shirley Douglas, made a stirring speech about her father, Tommy Douglas, and paid tribute to the pioneers who helped to build Saskatchewan.

Andrea Menard, Brad Johner, Megan Lane, and Theresa Sokyrka sang Saskatchewan's centennial song with the help of hundreds of choir members.

Brent Butt sang a different sort of song about how nothing rhymes with Saskatchewan, which drew applause from the Queen.

He also made jokes very dear to the comic sensibility of this province.

"Can you believe Saskatchewan is a hundred years old? Well, when you drive on the roads you can. No problem there."

The final routine was a medley tribute to Joni Mitchell, who was in the crowd but did not sing. Different singers took centre stage to showcase Mitchell's song writing ability, as huge paintings of the artist were projected on a screen behind them.

All the singers and performers took to the stage at the end of the show singing Mitchell's "From Both Sides Now."

But the show was not quite over. There was one last royal number: the Queen took to the stage to shake hands with the performers, before she left for Regina.