Festival of Words concert features locally grown singer-songwriter Val Halla, live audience

The Saturday night concert is a staple at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, and this year’s event saw a happy return to normalcy as country-rock artist Val Halla took the stage. 

Originally from Regina, Val Halla returned to Saskatchewan during the pandemic and has been playing largely virtual and acoustic shows since — and so she was excited to be back with a full band show in front of a real audience.

“It’s great to [to be back], it's a surge of adrenaline and positivity,” she said. “With online shows, you’re looking into a lens camera [and] there’s no give and take with the audience, and that changes everything.”

It was the band’s first time playing the Mae Wilson Theatre in Moose Jaw, and Val Halla lauded the venue’s classic acoustics and indescribable charm.

 “I love these old theatres, there’s just this history and vibe you get,” she said. “And it’s everything, having people in the seats, having this beautiful venue, having yourself and your instruments amplified over a real PA system and not just, like, you and your buddies in your garage.”

The Festival of Words also live streamed the event for the virtual audience, and Val Halla said she was honoured to have been asked to take part in the festivities for the first time.

“I’m really grateful to be a part of the 25th anniversary, because I’m a big reader myself and I write, and as a songwriter, I was thrilled to be included,” she said.

The Festival continues today with an author reading this morning at 11 a.m., followed by a live panel discussion with local Moose Jaw artists at the Mae Wilson at 1 p.m., wrapping up with a virtual panel on writing inspirations at 3 p.m.