British Columbians are more likely to participate in arts and cultural events than other Canadians. That may seem like a sweeping statement, and statistical proof is not always a reflection of what might actually be the truth of what is happening in our community. Not being a pure mathematician, I don't always believe what the numbers say. But I am willing to support this particular statistic. This info was gleaned by a recent report from Hill Strategies Research and found on the Alliance for Arts website.
The Alliance, based in Vancouver, is an amazing arts advocacy organization. I can't always find all the information I might want on the website, but the search always gleans some interesting factoids. Like 70.9 per cent of B.C. residents attended performing arts event or a cultural festival.
I believe. I mean, did you see the crowds at Surrey's Fusion Festival?
The Alliance also has a professional development series with workshops of importance to artists and to arts, culture and heritage organizations. The 2014 Fall Workshop Series will include such topics as applying for B.C. Arts Council grants, digital marketing strategies, a social media intensive and understanding legalities around email and direct marketing.
With the new anti-spam legislation, it would be great to attend a workshop that would help us understand this electronic communication. Check the Alliance for Arts website; the workshops haven't been posted yet, but are coming soon.
Last week, I mentioned that arts and culture organizations, groups or individuals could still get involved in B.C. Culture Days, held from Sept. 26 to 28. Alliance for Arts is coordinating this event. It will be huge, and inclusive.
You - or your group or organizations - can still participate in Culture Days. And here is the correct person and phone number to contact. Sorry, what was printed last week had slight errors - and not my fault (for once). Ah, but the great thing about having an error is that you get to repeat the information. After all, it seems as if we have to contact at least another 29.1 per cent of B.C. residents.
The correct name of the contact is Nazanin Shoja (not Nazabin), and the correct phone number to contact Ms. Shoja is 604-681-3535 (local 214), or email culturedays@allianceforarts.com. Not sure if you have a worthy idea for culture days? Visit Culturedays.ca.
While 43.5 per cent of British Columbians attend theatre, it seems like the hot summer weather has helped boost this number for Theatre Under the Stars. Due to overwhelming demand, Theatre Under the Stars' productions of Shrek: The Musical and Legally Blonde: The Musical will each extend their run by one week. These seven newly added performances will see both shows continue at Stanley Park's picturesque Malkin Bowl (on alternating evenings) through to Aug. 30. This groundbreaking announcement marks the first time in
TUTS' more than 70-year history that such a holdover has occurred. Numbers, when applied to box office receipts, definitely do not lie. For tickets, call the box office (604-696-4295) or go online to Tuts.ca.
Keep up the good work, all you fans of arts and culture. It is fantastic that just under half of the residents in this province do go to live theatre performances and enjoy classical music more than other Canadians. But, according to the report, a whopping 89.1 per cent of us watched a movie. And sure, a good movie has artistic merit. But sometimes it is just more rewarding to get out and mix and mingle.
Don't forget "The Party on the Pier" with the Powder Blues Band on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 7 to 10 p.m. This party/festival is designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the White Rock Pier, and the $100 ticket price will help support the arts on the Semiahmoo Peninsula. This party does count as a cultural event. Besides swelling the stats on participation at arts and cultural events, it is just downright fun. Nothing wrong with that.