The gala première of Loretta Macklam's film, For the Love of Gospel Rock, was a smashing success when it screened Aug. 8 to a sold-out house at the Heritage Playhouse, presented by the Green Films Series.
There was a lot of love in the air that night, said organizer Judith Hammill, coming from those concerned with the fate of the Rock and area.
The program itself was warmly received, from Wes Nahanee's beautifully appropriate welcome from the Squamish elders, to the surprisingly engaging older film contextualized by Laurie Miller, to the brief but pointed message from the Friends of Gospel Rock Society, to Macklam's first film, Forever Lost. With fine emceeing by the Green Films' Gayle Neilson, the event drew new audience and raised funds that will help defray the cost of film production.
The evening went without a hitch. The giant new screen and brand-new, state-of-the-art projection equipment, which this audience was the first to enjoy, performed brilliantly, thanks to Billie Carroll. Catherine McManus, among other volunteer bakers, had made chocolate pecan pies, butter tart pies and ponderosa cakes - the latter from original Rockette Maryanne West's recipe - helping to raise even more funds from a bake sale. An art sale of Gospel Rock-themed works by seven local artists raised money as well.
Macklam introduced For the Love of Gospel Rock, explaining her motivation for making the film. She spoke eloquently, right from the heart, which is where she operates from and where this film was born.
The film was received with much enthusiasm and appreciative laughter. At the end, Macklam invited the "stars" of the film onto the stage with her - Rick O'Neill, LeeAnn Johnson, Dan Bouman, Barry Janyk, Lola Westell, Suzanne Senger, Katie Janyk and George Smith (missing were Matthew Lovegrove, Cheri Le Page, Susan Rule, Dale Petersen and Catherine McManus) along with chief videographer and editor Veronica Alice.
- Submitted
