Why Serenity?

Funny how a name can create such curiosity and presumptions. I have been asked numerous times, why I use "Serenity", for the name of this beautiful venue. Perhaps it's time to tell part of my story.

My Dad left me this piece of paradise when he passed away in 2001. Forty five acres of ranch land right on the North Thompson River. This ranch has always been home to our family and given each and every one of my sisters & I, a sense of "serene" security. No matter what difficult things were going on in our lives, I can still hear Dad saying, "Don't worry it will be OK." I would always believe him, and it always was. Life happens and as fate would have it... my partner was killed in a vehicle accident in 2003. In all the tragedy of losing Dad and then Sam, goodness started to unfold. Perhaps it was my two angels in heaven at work...:), and one super amazing sister..Love you Colleen!

So it all starts. Becoming Shiloh Gospel Music Festival was the first to ask to hold an event here on just what was bare acreage at the time. Because I never do anything in a small way,..I said, "I'll build a stage!" So, with a few incredible friends and family members, lots of love and laughter, it took us 3 months to build the stage that became an acoustic masterpiece, (yes Kevin..it was in the plans.. ;). The stage was ready, Becoming Shiloh Festival was a huge success and www.becomingshiloh.com continues to hold their festival here every August with extraordinary Christian artists.

Now, the stage was sitting out there in the field that same year, so wonderful and needing more music to be played on it. I thought to help out a young musician friend of my son's, by having him come and busk for an afternoon. David brought with him, Three Guys Folk`n ..a band quickly thrown together for this occasion. Wow...they were so good. **P.S. Two of those boys are now www.duonumbertwo.ca. Their music is absolutely unique and original..go guys..YOU ROCK! Anyway, the moment of "Serenity" for me, when it all became very clear in my mind, was when David sang Neil Young's Heart of Gold. Sitting there in the serene September glow of the sun, I knew I had to share this music, this space.... this serenity, with other music lovers. As I said,... I never do anything in small way, so... I decided to hold one concert a month May through Sept, featuring many genres of music from Folk to Blues to Rock and support the Canadian music scene. Serenity Performing Arts Centre was born. WOW..what a ride on this journey so far going into our third year. Blood, a lot of sweat and a few tears... but it's the incredible music, amazing musicians...new friends and an exceptional team of people that help put it all together that keep me going and I feel so blessed to have them in my life, ... humbled and grateful beyond words.

"Serenity"...is simply a unique and extraordinary place to come to, and just "be" for we never know what the day will bring. It`s so special here that even the eagles sit in the trees along the river to listen! And so the journey continues, with magical music and talent to nourish the soul. Where you actually get to meet the artists. I welcome you to come and discover new music, laugh -it's what keeps us young, and DANCE. It's all about family, friends and a whole lot of FUN!

Lovers of great music and fun, this is the place for you!

Cheers & Sunshine,

Shirley