‘Saturdays at the Sally’ to feature 6 bands

PALMER — As an organization, the Salvation Army has a long musical history.

Lt. Mark Davey said music has been a part of the Salvation Army since the 1860s in London when volunteers there played instruments on street corners to draw in crowds who they could then tell their message about Jesus.

In Palmer, a new musical tradition — Saturdays at the Sally — began two months ago when Salvation Army in the Mat-Su Valley began organizing live music at its building on Evergreen Saturday nights.

“The concert series began in March as a way to provide safe, family friendly fun on Saturday nights,” Davey said, Corps officer of the Salvation Army in the Mat-Su.

The idea is the brainchild of Corps assistant Brian Shimek.

“He thought there was a need for something,” Davey said.

The two men — who also both play music — observed that the Valley is short on places where people younger than 21 can go.

In the first two months, Davey said it’s been easier to get bands than music lovers to come and support the shows. Some weeks, he said attendance has been 85 and other weeks drops to 10 or fewer.

“We’re trying to spread to word that this is a fun thing to do and it does happen on Saturday night,” Davey said.

Featured performers range from folksy and alternative to rock, but Davey said Shimek meets with all of the bands beforehand to make sure their lyrics are family friendly, too.

This Saturday is the biggest show the Sally has staged, thus far.

Six bands will perform from 6 to 11 p.m., Davey said.

Gerygone and Twig, Marching Band Solo and Julia Cannon will rock the house from 6 to 9 p.m., and if there is anything left of the place, Noise Bridge and Conscripts and The Harlequin State will fire up the stage from 9 to 11 p.m., May 18 at the Salvation Army in Palmer, 209 W. Evergreen.

“Word of mouth has been good,” Davey said. “It’s been really fun.”

Admission is free to Saturdays at the Sally, but donations are appreciated to help defray costs. Refreshments also are available for purchase.

Davey said Salvation Army plans to expand its musical offerings this fall when it will begin teaching brass, guitar and choir classes for kids at Kings Lake Camp one evening a week. Shimek will teach brass lessons and Davey will teach guitar. The two will combine to teach the youth choir.

“It’s free to anyone — they just have to show up,” Davey said.

For more information or to sign up to perform, contact Brian Shimek at 745-7079.

Contact managing editor Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.