We will miss you, Steve

Memorial Concert for Steve Slade – an invitation from Steve’s Family

The family of Steve Slade is hosting a memorial concert and open jam in his memory on Sunday, July 7th at Lepage Park (Wood St & 3rd Ave) in downtown Whitehorse from 4:00pm to 6:30pm.

It feels fitting to remember Steve at Lepage, where he co-founded Arts in the Park almost 30 years ago. It will be an open jam, and anyone is welcome to bring a song, a story, or a moment of quiet reflection to honour Steve and his contributions to music in the Territory. Yukon Historical and Museums Association has generously donated the park rental, Music Yukon has donated the gear rental and sound technicians, and Java Connection is providing coffee for everyone. There will be a backing band, as well as instruments/microphones for anyone who wants them. We’re asking those who are able to bring some small snack to share, and/or an extra chair. Everyone is welcome to play, listen, or speak as they wish.

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All my friends and my companions,

All my lovers, true and false,
All my children, all my love ones,

All the favoured, all the lost,
There was a sweet soft summer rain that was fallin’

But it was dry beneath that tree,
They were standin’ there, smiling,
Lookin’ like heaven to me.

Steve Slade – I Believe in Love

With heavy hearts, Music Yukon and the Arts in the Park team share in the grief felt throughout our community with the passing of Steve Slade. As one of the co-founders of Arts in the Park, he played an integral role in showcasing the Yukon’s artistic talent to a downtown Whitehorse audience every summer for decades. Steve was a strong advocate for music education. If he wasn’t teaching in town, you may have crossed paths with him in the communities where he’d create songs with students, or in Carcross, where he’d set up shop to share his instruments with travelling guests, or play for patrons at the Surly Bird Saloon. We reminisce about the impact he had on the many festival producers, sound technicians, artists, and aspiring interns of Arts in the Park over the years, who all have their own story to tell of the legendary (and self proclaimed seldom seen) Steve Slade.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and everyone impacted by this loss. We take comfort in knowing the values he strongly supported for musicians, artists, and students remain at the forefront of our community. Safe travels, Steve.And, as he always said to close out a show, take care of each other.