These Grannies have Rhythm! New Outreach Exhibit at the Prestige
Did you know that Rossland had a washboard band for almost twenty years? Our brand new outreach exhibit, They’ve Got Rhythm, They’ve Got Music! The Story of the Rebekah Rhythms explores some of Rossland’s most entertaining musical history.
The Rebekah Rhythms, fondly known as the “Granny Band”, formed in 1983. Known for their homemade instruments, the group performed around Rossland until 2001. Whether they were easing through “On Top of Old Smokey” or having some fun playing the “Chicken Dance,” one thing for sure is that these grannies had rhythm!
Listeners dancing at a Rebekah Rhythms performance at Kiro Manor, circa 1985-1990
Rebekah Rhythms performance, circa 1985-1990
Liz Mack presented the initial idea for the Rebekah Rhythms to the Deborah Rebekah’s resident musician Edith McCuiag in 1982. Liz saw a similar band at a wedding and thought it would be fun to have a similar group. Edith loved the idea and quickly arranged a group of her fellow Deborah Rebekah Lodge #13 members. The group had their debut performance in 1983.
The original group had ten members that made and played a variety of instruments - the only thing they didn’t make was Edith’s piano! From traditional washboards to a bedpan banjo, the instruments always made for an exciting show. For costumes, the group made aprons and bonnets out of green or pink checkered material, earning them the nickname the Granny Band. The group had their last performance in 2001. Throughout their history, there were a total of fifteen members of the Rebekah Rhythms.
They’ve Got Rhythm, They’ve Got Music! features instruments, costumes, and photographs from the Rebekah Rhythms that were donated to the RMDC by the Deborah Rebekah Lodge #13 that operated in Rossland for over 120 years.
They’ve Got Rhythm, They’ve Got Music! is on location at the Rossland Prestige Mountain Resort until April 2024.
