Palace awakened by Mardi Gras

From left: Mike Emmett, Anne Emmett, Corinne Walsh and Malcolm Houser. (Goodwin photos)

A seldom used venue could be a focal point in downtown Pictou, Camille Davidson says.
Davidson, who operates the Stone Soup Café with her husband Barry Randle, says the Palace Theatre has vastly underutilized potential.
“This needs to be used more,” she said after co-hosting Mardi Gras in the venerable venue. “Pictou has a jewel and they don’t realize it. The more we can bring people to Pictou, the better Pictou does.”
Murray Hill, who grew up in Pictou, said he can attest to what a secret the Palace has been during his lifetime.
“When I was a kid I never heard of the place,” he said. “I was 40 before I knew it existed.”
Yet, in its day the Palace was a place for live theatre and featured a floor that angled upward slightly from the stage.
Not long after the café opened last summer in the building’s ground level mini mall, Davidson thought about hosting events in the Palace, on the second floor.
Cajun dishes were prepared for the nearly 80 guests who attended Mardi Gras wearing costumes and masks of purple, green and gold that are associated with the event.
Local musician David Pos lined up entertainment, which included emcee Shaun McLean, vocalist Janice Alcorn, trumpeter Andrew Alcorn, Al Sutherland on guitar and Danny Sutherland on bass.
Dave Skinner, a drummer and singer remembered best for teaming with the Mason Chapman Band, also took part, as did newcomer and Juno Award winner Sherry Kean.
“I like the Palace’s history,” Davidson said. “It’s warm; it’s elegant and has a nice feel to it. We had a lot of help to make this happen.”
Davidson has considered more events in the Palace, such as a Halloween party, but definitely wants to host a Mardi Gras again.
“Winter gets you down after a while,” she said. “You need something like this to break it up.”