The city of Thompson partnered with the Mall Of The Arts to dazzle the community with the Christmas spirit, brining in an audience and present a spectacular Christmas Show featuring the captivating band, Red Moon Road.
The event took place at the Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC), providing a wonderful opportunity for all members of the community to attend this festive occasion free of charge.
In addition to the musical festivities, the Mall Of The Arts took the initiative to coordinate a delightful array of Children’s Activities in a designated Multipurpose room. This thoughtful planning allowed parents and adults to fully enjoy the concert experience while their children were engaged in creative and entertaining activities. Young ones had the chance to immerse themselves in painting, crafting Christmas cards, and even singing karaoke, all under supervised care, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for the entire family.
The Mall Of The Arts' ability to present such a remarkable musical event for free was made possible through a generous grant from the Thompson Neighborhood Renewal Corporation (TNRC). This support highlights the importance of community funding in facilitating cultural events, and encouraging residents to experience art and music without the burden of cost. Though the event was free, attendees were warmly welcomed to make donations, with all proceeds benefiting Swim North Community, reinforcing the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
The evening opened with a heartwarming Children’s Sing-Along performed by the Thompson Community Choir, setting a festive tone for the night. Following this joyful introduction, Red Moon Road took the stage, a band that has truly come into their own through extensive touring both across North America and abroad. With a remarkable history of over 1,000 live performances since their inception in 2012, the trio has evolved from their acoustic folk origins into a dynamic musical entity. Their current sound beautifully blends Sheena Rattai’s powerful and emotive vocals with rich pop harmonies, accompanied by intricate arrangements featuring percussion, banjo, slide guitar, and synths.
Building on the success of their chart-topping album, *Sorrows and Glories*, which was also long-listed for the prestigious Polaris Prize, Red Moon Road is eagerly anticipated to release their upcoming single, *Say It Again*. This new anthem aims to poignantly challenge the soulless rhetoric often perpetuated by those in positions of power, making it not only a musical offering but a strong statement as well.
Expressing their gratitude, Daniel Jordan shared, “It’s amazing to travel, and we’ve gotten to go places that we probably wouldn’t have been able to afford if it hadn’t been for the fact that we were going to play music and that can be as far as Switzerland and Scotland or it can be going up to Churchill for the first time. So it’s always amazing where the job will take you. Music is such a vast builder of community and experience”.
This concert marks a significant moment, as it is the first time Red Moon Road has graced Thompson with their live performance in over a decade. Following this memorable evening, the band has set their sights on Flin Flon, along with several other sold-out shows, effectively wrapping up their Christmas concert series for the year.
The band’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable, having traveled internationally for as long as 15 years, showcasing their dedication to their craft. The trio consists of the talented Sheena Rattai, as well as Daniel Jordan and Daniel Péloquin-Hopfner, each contributing their unique talents to the band’s sound.
Additionally, he expressed heartfelt thanks to Andria from the Mall of the Arts and the Thompson community for the effort invested in making this event a reality. “We were very grateful to Andria from the Mall of the Arts, and also so grateful to Thompson for bringing us up, we know its hard to get something going but we really appreciate the work they put into this event. We hope that Thomson will support the work that those folks are doing to make arts and culture happen in Thompson. We really value that, we think it’s important” Jordan concluded.
The collaboration between the City of Thompson and the Mall Of The Arts for the Christmas Show featuring Red Moon Road was a resounding success, bringing joy, music, and community spirit together in a remarkable celebration. This event not only showcased the incredible talent of the band but also highlighted the importance of accessible cultural experiences for all residents. With thoughtful planning for children’s activities and a focus on community engagement, the evening left a lasting impression, reinforcing the belief that music and art can truly unite people, especially during the festive holiday season.
