AMY JANZEN

For those of us  old enough to remember a time before CD burners and iTunes, MuchMusic’s annual Big Shiny Tunes compilations were the closest thing we could get to a custom playlist. And no Big Shiny Tunes compilation has more plays than the 1997 sophomore edition.

Selling 300,000 albums, the first compilation merely acted as a springboard for Big Shiny Tunes 2, which sold a staggering 1,000,000 units.

The sophomore compilation featured songs from Radiohead, Third Eye Blind, Bran Van 3000, The Chemical Brothers and Saskatoon’s own Wide Mouth Mason, among others. It was a must-own for every kid growing up in the 90s.

It’s no surprise that the Broadway Theatre felt the album would be perfect for this year’s “One Week for the Broadway” fundraising event. The theatre is hosting a Big Shiny Tunes 2 concert Nov. 27, along with other fundraising events, with hopes of attracting a younger generation of members to the venue.

“Memberships are dropping and I don’t think people understand that memberships are what keep a community-owned theatre running,” said local actor and radio host Heather Morrison, who will host the event.

“We wanted to raise awareness that we are community-owned and we also wanted to raise the memberships particularly in the younger age demographics.”

The evening will be packed with a collection of 90s entertainment intended to mimic the eclectic mix on the CD, though Morrison admits that only 10 of the album’s 18 songs will be played throughout the evening. The playlist for the night includes her favourite from the album, Blur’s “Song 2.”

The concert will showcase local artists 911 Turbo, Jeans Boots, the Classy Chassys, Carrie Catherine, Kirby Criddle and, Morrison says, a couple of newly-formed bands including one featuring city councilor Mairin Lowen.

Local actors Paige Goodman and Ed Mendez will perform scenes from 90s TV shows and slam poet Isaac Bond will perform a spoken word version of one of the songs.

Jeanette Stewart, a.k.a. Jeans Boots, will perform with mock German techno group 911 Turbo.

It’s a “brilliant idea for a show,” she said. “There’s a lot of memories connected to the songs… but not specific memories, more so a feeling of nostalgia that takes over your entire body.”

Although her experience with 911 Turbo is limited to “crazy forest dance parties at Ness Creek and even crazier telephone interviews,” Stewart hopes that their combined energy will provide a lot of fun for everyone.

The theatre hopes to raise $60,000 over the fundraising campaign in order to help fund their transition to digital cinema.

PotashCorp agreed to match all donations and sales during the “One Week for Broadway” events.

“Big Shiny Tunes 2 in Concert” takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 27 and is free for all members of the Broadway Theatre. Memberships are $20 and can be purchased at the theatre.

Other events of the theatre’s fundraising week include musicians Alpha Yaya Diallo on Nov. 23 and Little Miss Higgins Nov. 30.

—
Drawing thing: Samantha Braun/The Sheaf