🌄 Foothills Scoop

👋 Hello Neighbours:
Hello Foothills! This weekend is shaping up to be a cozy one—cloudy Friday, sunshine Saturday, then a brighter Sunday to wrap it up. If you’re looking for something fun (and indoors), we’ve got theatre, comedy, and a few great community meetups across Okotoks, Diamond Valley, and Longview.

✨ In Today’s Edition:
🏛️ Okotoks’ volunteer board openings (and why it matters)
🎭 Two Foothills theatre options to kick off the weekend
🎉 Library nights + a Sunday self-defence session in Diamond Valley

🏛️ Okotoks is recruiting residents for local boards & committees
If you’ve ever wanted to have a direct hand in how the town runs, Okotoks has applications open for residents to serve on boards and committees (think: community priorities, local initiatives, and advisory input that actually shapes decisions). These roles are typically volunteer-based and are one of the most practical ways to get involved beyond showing up at council meetings. If you’ve got experience in governance, community services, business, planning, or just a strong interest in local issues, it’s worth a look. Application deadlines and eligibility details are posted through the Town.

🚒 Diamond Valley Fire Rescue is promoting “safe meet-up locations” at local fire stations
Diamond Valley Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to use designated fire station parking lots as safe meet-up spots—useful for online marketplace exchanges, custody handoffs, or anytime you want a more public, well-lit option. It’s a simple idea that can make everyday errands feel safer, especially during darker winter evenings. The message has been circulating locally online and through their official channels. If you’re someone who regularly does Kijiji/Marketplace pickups, this is a practical one to tuck away.

🎭 A big theatre weekend in the Foothills: Dewdney Players + Erratic Players
Okotoks’ Dewdney Players are in the middle of a special run of The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play—a fun twist on classic storytelling that blends stage performance with old-school radio theatre vibes. Meanwhile, Longview’s Twin Cities Saloon is launching an interactive dinner-theatre mystery, Raiders of the Lost Lemon Mine, where the audience gets pulled into the experience. It’s honestly a great reminder that you don’t need to drive into Calgary for a “real” night out—our local arts scene is doing the work. If you’ve been meaning to support community theatre, this is your nudge.

🎶 A special afternoon of live music in High River: Dana Wylie + Meera Sylvain
This Sunday’s concert at the High River Masonic Hall comes with a big local bragging right—Dana Wylie’s band, Secondhand Dreamcar, was just nominated for Canadian Blues Album of the Year. Dana headlines the show with her signature mix of powerful vocals, sharp songwriting, and multi-instrument talent, performing in an intimate, listener-focused setting. Opening the afternoon is Meera Sylvain, an emerging Northern Alberta artist whose Nashville-recorded release Fool’s Gold blends modern country grit with classic influences. It’s the kind of high-quality, close-up live music experience that reminds you great shows don’t always come with arena lights. If you love discovering (and supporting) exceptional Canadian musicians, this one’s worth circling.

• 🎨 Fun Fridays (Ages 9–12) — Fri, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Okotoks Public Library
Games, crafts, and a “Valentines” theme to kick off the weekend with some tween-friendly fun.

• 👶 Infant Massage (Jan/Feb series) — Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Okotoks Public Library
A calm, guided session for caregivers and little ones (registration required).

• 🎭 Raiders of the Lost Lemon Mine (Dinner Theatre) — Fri, 5:30 p.m., Twin Cities Saloon (Longview)
Interactive mystery dinner theatre kicks off its run—great for a date night with a Foothills twist.

• 🎙️ The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play — Fri, 7:30 p.m., Old Church Theatre (Okotoks)
Dewdney Players bring Gatsby to life in a vintage radio-play format—local theatre at its best.

• 😂 Comedy Night at Hub Town Brewing — Fri, doors 6:00 p.m., show 7:00 p.m., Okotoks
A solid, no-fuss Friday night out: laughs, pints, and a warm room full of locals.

• 🧘 OM Chanting — Sat, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Okotoks Public Library
A drop-in guided OM chanting session with meditation—quiet, grounding, and beginner-friendly.

• 🤖 AI for Seniors — Sat, 1:00–3:00 p.m., Okotoks Public Library
A practical intro to AI tools and how to use them safely day-to-day (registration required).

• 🎙️ The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play (Matinee) — Sat, 2:00 p.m., Old Church Theatre (Okotoks)
Perfect if you want theatre without a late night—same Gatsby magic, daytime slot.

• 🎙️ The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play — Sat, 7:30 p.m., Old Church Theatre (Okotoks)
Saturday night performance for anyone looking for a classic “go out” evening.

• 🥋 Self-Defence — Sun, 2:00–4:00 p.m., Sheep River Library (Diamond Valley)
Situational awareness + hands-on tactics (13+). Pay when registering at the library.

• 🎶 Dana Wylie Live (with Meera Sylvain opening) — Sun, Feb 1, 3:00 p.m. (doors 2:20 p.m.), High River Masonic Hall, 306 4 St SE, High River
Fresh off a Canadian Blues Album of the Year nomination for her band Secondhand Dreamcar, Dana Wylie headlines this intimate afternoon concert, with prairie-rooted songwriter Meera Sylvain opening—tickets are $40 via e-transfer and a few spots are still available.

Fri (Jan 30): Cloudy, highs around 7–8°C, lows near 0°C.
Sat (Jan 31): Plenty of sunshine, highs around 8°C, lows around -4 to -2°C.
Sun (Feb 1): Cloudy then brightening, highs around 7°C, lows near 1–2°C.

• 🔥 “Meet-up spots” for safer exchanges: The Diamond Valley Fire Rescue post about using fire station parking lots as safe meet-up locations has people nodding along—especially Marketplace regulars.
• 🎭 A very Foothills kind of weekend: Between Okotoks and Longview, locals are sharing theatre plans (and loving that it’s all close to home).

That’s your weekend map! If you head out to a show or find a hidden-gem event we should include next week, hit reply and tell me what you loved. And if you’ve got a friend who’s always asking “what’s happening this weekend?”—forward them Foothills Scoop. 😊