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The Music Vault: New Wilcox resident sees value in live concerts

This is a dream of almost two decades for Gary Island, who wanted to have “a listening room” for concerts.

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There’s a little red, white, and blue bungalow on Railway Avenue in Wilcox, facing Highway 39 and fields beyond.

This building used to be a bank, then a coffee shop, then a wellness centre.

When Gary Island moved here in December from Oshawa, Ont., it became his home.

And now, it’s about to have a new incarnation as a music venue.

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This is a dream of almost two decades for Island, who wanted to have “a listening room” for concerts.

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“I had my mind on this idea that I would do that in retirement one day,” said Island, offering a place for people to “listen and maybe learn some new music.”

“I want something different than just going to a bar, watch a band, and most people don’t even pay attention because by the time they get a few drinks in them, it’s almost side noise, I hate to say it.”

The Music Vault was an obvious name for a former credit union: “The bank vault door is still on the doorway for the vault. It’s been retrofitted so … you would never get locked in there.”

Gary Island sits in the front of his home in Wilcox, Saskatchewan on July 18, 2020. Island plans to turn his home into a music venue. The building is an old bank, from which the vault has been preserved. The door of the vault can be seen in the photo. BRANDON HARDER/ Regina Leader-Post
Gary Island sits in the front of his home in Wilcox, Saskatchewan on July 18, 2020. Island plans to turn his home into a music venue. The building is an old bank, from which the vault has been preserved. The door of the vault can be seen in the photo. BRANDON HARDER/ Regina Leader-Post Photo by BRANDON HARDER /Regina Leader-Post

Island’s plan was to launch in April with a concert by Regina blues guitarist Jack Semple. That didn’t pan out due to COVID-19.

With the pandemic still restricting social events, Island is adapting: He’s hosting a 30-ticket parking lot concert next month on a Saturday afternoon, featuring country musician and Wilcox resident Chris Henderson.

“I’m just really looking forward to gathering people, even in a socially distanced environment,” said Henderson. “Music is just one of those things that’s just really easy to throw out there and put a smile on people’s faces and brighten their days.”

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Henderson is also looking forward to having a venue in the town he’s called home for the past three years.

“I’m really excited about the idea of having a venue here. We’re just outside of Regina, so it’s close enough that people could scoot out and take in a show if they would like to. There’s a supportive community here and in the surrounding area, I mean we’ve got Avonlea, Milestone and Rouleau and all these other communities. So I really think that there’s a potential for it to do well,” said Henderson.

“Of course the world’s going to have to open up a little bit in order for it to truly thrive,” he added.

He points to other small-town venues, like The Happy Nun in Forget — where Henderson is also performing in early August.

“It becomes a thing where everybody wants to be involved and support the place. So I’m looking forward to hopefully helping Gary build just that” in Wilcox, Henderson said.

Island spent most of his life in Ontario, and noticed Wilcox on a real-estate listings website.

“The first thing that caught my eye was ‘home of the Notre Dame Hounds,’” Island said of the Athol Murray College’s renowned sports program.

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He saw the property’s affordable price and the “combo place” layout that was perfect to have a concert venue.

In a normal gathering (without distancing), Island figures he could fit 30 people indoors and just under 100 for an outdoor show. His plan is to have about six concerts per year — he is retired, after all, and sees this as a hobby.

Asked if he has a dream list of artists he’d like to host, Island didn’t skip a beat:

“Burton Cummings lives in Moose Jaw,” he quickly pointed out, but added there’s a downside. “Something like that, especially with a venue this size, would he even be interested? … When you talk to promoters and booking agents, there’s so many obstacles …”

Island’s goal is to help artists make money, while putting a bit of cash into his own wallet. He also wants to provide affordable shows for families and people who wouldn’t be able to attend a big concert all the time.

Island said he’s open to having another parking lot show if there are musicians who are interested and could draw a crowd.

Henderson is scheduled to perform Aug. 22 at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot at 501 Railway Ave.

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“The vibe is just come have fun,” said Island. “There’s not going to be any food served, but see some of your neighbours maybe you haven’t seen in a while; take some time to support the local community. … And Chris is a good artist.”

Henderson said he won’t be encouraging anyone to “get up and dance.”

“I really feel like the music community has to take a big responsibility here in order to do things safely” during the pandemic, said Henderson.

“The last thing I want is to have a Chris Henderson concert turn out to be a new super spreader event. So we’re all going to be very careful as we go forward.”

Tickets are $20 for an individual or $65 for a family of four. Contact Gary Island for tickets at 905-242-0505 or e-transfer payment to themusicvault@outlook.com. Bring a chair and your own snacks.

amartin@postmedia.com

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