A couple who recently moved to Turner Valley is inviting families to kick up their heels for a good cause next weekend.
Matthew and Marlee Heesing, who moved to town in February, are hosting an Old Time Family Dance with music by The Gates Family Band at the Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall Sept. 10 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Matthew is the student minister at the United Church in the Valley and Marlee is a member of The Gates Family Band. Marlee has been performing waltz, polka and two-step tunes with her family, who lives in Edmonton, since she was a teenager and is excited to reunite with them this weekend. In addition to Marlee, the band consists of Troy and Braden Gates and family friend Glen Nott. Marlee said The Gates Family Band hasn’t performed together as often as they used to since her twin brother became a full-time musician and her recent move to Turner Valley.
“It was my favourite thing to do, playing music for people,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun and a good way to bring the community together.”
Marlee plays the fiddle and keyboards, her brother and father play fiddle and a family friend plays bass.
“It brings everyone together and everyone has lots of fun,” she said.
Marlee expects the same will happen in Turner Valley this weekend.
“We thought this might be a neat way to bring the community together with music,” she said. “We are really excited to bring some fiddle music here and encourage the young and old alike to come out and have fun. It’s a reunion of sorts for us.”
The Old Time Family Dance is an opportunity for all ages to enjoy a night out together, said Marlee.
“It’s really neat to see young people and seniors dancing together and teaching each other how to dance,” she said. “Sometimes we have the younger kids who play fiddle bring their fiddle and join in.”
The main focus of the Old Time Family Dance is get the community together, Marlee said, while the fundraiser component is a bonus.
Money raised from ticket sales will support various community programs through the United Church in the Valley including subsidizing the rental fee for the Oilfields Food Bank, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts who use the church basement and sponsoring a refugee family in partnership with other United Churches across the region, said Matthew.
Recently, the church donated $4,000 to residents impacted by the fires in Fort McMurray last spring.
“That’s just a taste of the ministries we do,” he said. “Monday to Friday we are booked. It’s all what supports the community, engages the community and brings the community together.”
Matthew said he’s grateful to the community for supporting their fundraising initiatives, whether it’s through concerts, dinners or other events.
“It will keep those ministries going and perhaps spark some new ones,” he said. “We all have our eyes and ears to the ground seeing what are the needs of the community, what gifts we have and what talents we can share. It’s a small but mighty church.”
Tickets to the Old Time Family Dance cost $15, while children 16 and under are free. Tickets are available at the United Church in the Valley and Coyote Moon Cantina and Espresso Bar in Turner Valley, Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond or by calling 403-933-2167.
