In a rare Sunday evening occurrence, a live music event was held at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, featuring the music of Scotland, Ontario singer/songwriter Benjamin Dakota Rogers.
“This is the first time I know of (such an event being held at the museum),” said Will Hollingshead, Sault Ste. Marie Museum executive director and chief curator.
“We were approached by the musician’s booking agent. They were travelling through town and wondered if a venue like this would like some live music in it, so I couldn’t say no. I figured we’d give it a shot and see what kind of demographic we could bring in...ticket sales were better than expected.”
Young and middle-aged adults filled the museum’s Discovery Gallery to listen to Rogers songs.
A cash bar and refreshments were available, with several Sault and area vendors on hand with their wares for sale, including the Fishbowl Festival, Twice Removed, Island Oddities, Cultured Club and E & C Art.
“Since it’s turned out like this, with things going smoothly and everyone being happy, I don’t see why we wouldn’t look into doing this again,” Hollingshead said.
Tickets were $15, a portion of the ticket sale proceeds going to Rogers, the rest going to the museum and its programs.
As for Rogers, the singer, 23, told SooToday “I live in the attic at my folks place, I’ve got a little recording studio there. Music is my full-time gig...I do a lot of things involving music, I’ve got a little studio and I do music videos for other people, I tour a lot.”
With a soulful blend of folk and country music, Rogers said he has four albums out (available online through such sources as Spotify), describing his music as “Americana folk, romanticization of things...I write about whatever makes me happy at any given time.”
“It’s super sweet,” said Rogers of the museum as a performing venue.