A one-man show that mixes banjo music, humour and a deeply personal account of cancer will travel to 16 Saskatchewan communities this fall, with money raised by the performances staying in the towns and hamlets where the show lands.
Keith Alessi brings Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life to communities across the province between Sept. 17 and Oct. 8 as part of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils’ (OSAC) 2026-27 Performing Arts Season Series. The tour includes a concentrated northern swing through Shellbrook, Melfort, La Ronge, Nipawin and Hudson Bay from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, according to OSAC’s current schedule.
Charitable focus: proceeds remain local
Organizers say the performances are intended to offer professional live theatre to smaller centres while generating money for local groups and projects. Alessi has pledged to donate 100 per cent of his artist fees from the Saskatchewan tour.
“Very unusual,” Taylor said. “In fact, in my 15 years in this role, during which I’ve contracted more than 2,000 performances, this is the first time I’ve ever seen an artist donate 100 per cent of their artist fees from an entire tour.”
That comment came from Skip Taylor, performing arts program manager for OSAC, who described the commitment as exceptional. Taylor said the total amount raised will vary by community and venue, and while he could not offer an exact provincial total, he expects the combined impact to reach into the thousands of dollars.
Local returns: an example from Shellbrook
The northern portion of the tour opens in Shellbrook on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shellbrook Theatre. OSAC says 50 per cent of net proceeds from that performance are earmarked for the Shellbrook Theatre Renovation Project, with the remainder benefitting the Shellbrook & District Arts Council.
The show then moves east to Melfort for a performance at The Historic Post Office on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. OSAC’s schedule confirms those northern dates and venues; further specific allocations of proceeds will vary by stop.
What the tour brings to communities
For smaller venues, a touring production can provide more than an evening of entertainment. Producers and presenters say such visits can:
- raise funds for local arts groups, renovation projects or community initiatives;
- bring professional-level performing arts to audiences who otherwise travel long distances; and
- create opportunities for local volunteers and service groups to engage in ticketing, concessions and promotions.
OSAC operates a provincial circuit of performances designed to serve towns and rural centres across Saskatchewan. The group’s programming helps local arts councils host touring artists and keep ticket revenue flowing to local causes.
Tour schedule highlights
OSAC lists the tour as running from Sept. 17 to Oct. 8, with the northern cluster taking place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5. The schedule confirmed by OSAC specifically names the following northern stops and dates:
| Community | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Shellbrook | Sept. 30 | Shellbrook Theatre |
| Melfort | Oct. 1 | The Historic Post Office |
OSAC’s broader published schedule lists a total of 16 stops across the province; however, specific beneficiary allocations and ticket details differ by community.
For many small centres, the dual benefit of a touring performance—both cultural programming and local fundraising—can be significant. Community presenters say that even modest ticket sales can deliver measurable support when local groups receive the proceeds.
Audience members and local volunteers in towns hosting the tour will determine the final financial outcome. OSAC and local presenters are handling ticketing and distribution of proceeds; people interested in attending should check their local arts council or OSAC’s website for updates and ticket availability.
The tour offers a combination of live music, storytelling about a personal health journey and community-minded fundraising that organisers hope will resonate across the province’s stages and town halls.
