PASTURE PRIME...

by Rufus Spaulding:

It is our general consensus that it feels good to be back on the Canadian prairies; a part of the world that holds a special place in our collective hearts. As Tallulah once wrote in a postcard, "there's something edifying about stepping out on a sunny afternoon and watching it rain on the next town over."

(photo by Serena McCarroll)

Our base of operations is presently All Citizens, in quiet Bruno, Saskatchewan. This is our first visit since our intrepid impresario's goodwill mission over a year ago. Alliances are being forged, plans are being hatched, good times are being had.

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All Citizens is many things to many people. To some, the storefront itself is an art installation on Bruno's Main Street; to others, it's the only place in town to get espresso; to a few, it's the only place this side of Saskatoon to buy zines, indie crafts, and art; and to fewer still, it is and art gallery. Lately, it's also Canada's smallest music venue.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

Last night, after afternoon of unflattery, the Misanthrope Specialty Company Orchestra had the good fortune of opening for Toronto's Great Bloomers. The locals tell us it was the most raucous affair they've had in Bruno since the Cherry Festival. The audience had cleared most of the chairs out of the shop for the Bloomers' second set, and piled them outside to accommodate some stomp-dancing.

(photo by Becky Johnson)

There is much more to be said about All Citizens and the town of Bruno than we have time for here. We hope to write something more in depth sooner than later -- but in the meantime, if ever you find yourselves rolling through these parts, we urge you to stop by the shop and have a visit with Tyler, it's curator and co-creator. He's a soft-spoken man with much to tell.

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