Daysland Palace Theatre
www.DaysArts.ca
When the Daysland Palace Theatre went dark in the late 1990s, its future looked uncertain. The building sat empty for three years, its oncevibrant glow dimming with each passing season. But for a group of determined residents, led by what would become the Daysland and District Cultural Arts Society, closing the curtain for good was not an option.
“We were formed in 1999 with the mandate to operate and maintain the Daysland Palace Theater,” says Sharon Eshpeter, current chair of the Society. “The building had been left empty for years.
It was deteriorating. We knew that if we didn’t step in, we could lose it forever.”
What followed is a story that could only unfold in rural Alberta. It is a story of a community rolling up its sleeves to protect its cultural heart.
Restoring More Than a Building
The early work was gritty, unglamorous, and essential. Volunteers scrubbed, repaired, painted, mended, and coaxed the weary theatre back to life. The original seats stayed. The original projectors stayed. Even the old popcorn machine, worn but faithful, stayed.
By November 1999, the Palace Theatre flickered back to life with its first screening under new stewardship.
But very quickly, the Society realized the building could be more than a movie house.
“We decided it could be a multipurpose venue,” Sharon explains. “We built a stage, we brought in live concerts, plays, talent shows. Anything we could imagine, we found a way to make happen.”
A Mission Rooted in Local Pride
From the beginning, the organization embraced a clear philosophy. Rural does not mean limited.
“One of our goals was to bring the arts to a rural setting,” Sharon says. “Just because we live in the country doesn’t mean we’re bumpkins.”
The Society made young people central to this mission. The theatre quickly became a home for youth dance classes, school drama productions, summer arts programs, and special screenings curated just for students.
“We wanted them to feel ownership,” Sharon explains. “To see this place as theirs.”
It worked. A generation of local children grew up performing under the Palace lights or sitting wide-eyed in its red velvet seats.
Programming That Reflects a Whole Community
Today, the Palace Theatre is one of the most versatile venues in Flagstaff County. For nine months of the year, it continues its regular movie schedule. But its calendar reaches far beyond film.
Professional concert series, amateur drama productions, weddings, birthday parties, community screenings, and Stanley Cup finals have all found a home on its stage and screen.
“We’re open to new ideas,” Sharon Eshpeter says. “If it’s possible, we’ll find a way to do it.”
This creative flexibility has made the theatre a cultural anchor. Patrons routinely come from both Flagstaff and eastern Camrose County.
The Power of Arts in Rural Life
To Sharon, the impact of the arts is simple and profound.
“Sports are important. Reading is important. But the arts feed the soul. They enrich your life and make everything else better.”
She sees that enrichment in real time. Just last year, the theatre hosted Becoming the Beatles: Unplugged, a performance that nearly filled the house.
“People laughed. They reminisced. They learned things they didn’t know. For a little while, they forgot about the rat race and the worries. They left feeling better than when they came in.”
In a world that moves fast, the Palace Theatre offers a kind of cultural refuge. Two hours, where life slows down and something beautiful fills the room.
Built and Sustained by Volunteers
If the Palace is a cultural beacon, volunteers are its power source.
From the board to the concession to the projection booth, every role is performed by community members. A local 4-H club even helps run the concession. Volunteers select films, plan programming, run sound and lights, and manage events. They fundraise tirelessly.
Their efforts are not symbolic. They have kept the theatre alive.
“We sold 20-dollar ticket packages to raise money to get started,” Sharon explains. “When we needed to replace the seats, the community raised 65,000 dollars. They have supported us from day one.”
That support is not just financial. It is emotional. It is generational. And it signals something important. What happens here matters.
A Stage for Local Talent and New Experiences
The Palace hosts not only touring performers but also local talent. Daysland’s own musicians, dancers, storytellers, and comedians have stepped into the spotlight during community talent shows.
“The talent here is incredible,” Sharon says. “Kids want to see real dancing on the stage. Parents want to see their children perform. These moments matter.”
The concert series itself is not defined by a particular genre. Instead, it seeks to stretch audiences.
“People ask why we don’t just do country,” Sharon says. “Because you can get country everywhere around here. We want to broaden horizons. We have even had the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Where else in rural Alberta can you see a symphony?”
Looking Ahead to the Next 25 Years
As the Daysland Palace Theatre enters its 25th year under the Society’s care, the focus turns to the future.
“If the theatre is going to remain, we have to engage our youth,” Sharon says. “We need the next generation to carry this on because it has value.”
The vision is simple but ambitious. More programming. More audiences. More age groups. More impact. And above all, another 25 years of keeping culture close to home.
“We can do things here,” Sharon says firmly. “We don’t have to go someplace else. It is not a Herculean feat. It is vision, willingness, and community. And we have that.”
Visit daysarts.ca for information on movies and the 2025-26 Concert Series.
