A Sunset Ridge resident is connecting world-class musicians with Cochrane community members by being a volunteer host for Home Routes. 

The national not-for-profit arts organization, Home Routes was formed in February of 2007 as a way to create new performance opportunities for French and English speaking musicians and audiences in rural, remote and urban, communities across Canada via volunteer hosts.

Gretchen Albers says her partner was first introduced to the concept of Home Routes while working up in Fort McMurray and shares when they moved to Cochrane they decided to look into whether a host already existed here. "Apparently there was a Cochrane host years ago and that person reached out and contacted us and said I am glad you are looking at doing this again."

Part of the Heartland Ramble tour, this is the first year the couple has hosted the concert series which consists of concerts hosted between the months of September to April (with no shows in December and January). The shows are all acoustic and feature a variety of musical genres but in a very intimate setting. "

"People can either buy a season pass or they can buy per concert and it is $20 per adult (children under 12 are free) and it goes directly to the musician which we pay directly that night."

Twin Peaks are tomorrow evening's 7 pm performers.

This Monday is the third concert Albers has hosted and shares they can fit anywhere between 40 and 50 music lovers pretty comfortably in their residence. "We have been getting in the ballpark around 25 so we would really like to double the attendance because it is better for the musician. The more bodies that are there it is better for them and worth their while."

Albers says it is a casual setting and once they slide the couch out of the way, they set up chairs and host the show on their main floor. Attendees are invited to bring a snack, beverage of their choice and even childcare is covered if required. "We pretty much pack it in but we would like to get the word out a little more and build the community with people who are really into seeing live music and going to a house concert to see them."

Figuring it will take about a year to build up an email list of interested concert-goers, Albers says you can contact her and be placed on the list by contacting her at gretchen_albers@hotmail.com

"I think people just need to come once and see how it is set up and realize it is a real professional musician doing a show and even though it casual setting, that is kind of the magic of it. It is a new concept for a lot of people so I think they just need to come and try it out."

The concerts usually run a couple hours in duration with a mixture of weeknight and weekend dates. If you would like to find out more about tomorrow night's (November 26) performance by British Columbia award-winning gals, Twin Peaks, go HERE. 

"I think it is a good community builder and just the fact that it's an option. They are all really good acts but maybe someone that you wouldn't think of listening to."

Artists will generally sell CDs at their performance and Gretchen says while they don't necessarily sell tickets in advance (as of now) they ask you to RSVP HERE.