News Leader News
ARTSNOW BEGINS PERFORMING ARTIST ASSESSMENT
Do you want to be part of a community performing arts group?
The ArtsNow committee, under the umbrella of Princeton Community Arts Council, has an opportunity to apply for funding for a local group under the Spirit of BC Legacy Now initiative.
Arts Council President Dawn Johnson, who chairs the ArtsNow committee, told the News Leader the committee plans a public meeting on November 24 to find out how many local people would like to participate in a performing arts group.
"People think of theatre as actors but there is a lot more to it than acting," Johnson said. "We will need people who can run sound systems, design and build sets, provide music, manage stage lighting, do sound effects, take care of promotion, manage the budget, make costumes, and be directors of stage productions."
The meeting on November 24, to be held at the Skills Centre, will be to assess the pool of talent available in the community.
"We will be looking for people who want to act, who know about sound and lighting systems, musicians, dancers, comedians, directors, artists interested in set design, stage managers and anybody who is in any way interested in performing arts," Johnson said. "You do not have to be expert or experienced in stage performances. Our project is to train people so the community will have a legacy of people capable of training others."
The goal of the project is to launch a performing arts company that will be sustainable well into the future. If enough people are interested, the committee will go ahead with finding funding partners for the project.
"There is no point in going after grants if the community is not interested," Johnson commented. "However, the survey we did in August showed us there are a lot of people who want to be involved in performing arts productions. We will be asking these people to give us their names. To be successful in our grant applications, we need to have detailed information about how many, and exactly who, is interested in forming a community performing arts group."
If the application is successful, there will be money for workshops run by professionals, and there will be money for materials such as sets, costumes, and other materials.
"We cannot build a theatre, but we can hire professionals to teach people what to do and how to do it," Johnson explained. "We are counting on Riverside School having a proper stage and seating for a theatre. This is an ongoing dream of the Arts Council."
If a performing arts group comes forward, the first major production under the Legacy Now grant will be linked to Princeton's 150th anniversary, which takes place in 2010.
"Local people will write and perform a production celebrating our own history and the history of the valley," Johnson stated. łThis production can be used in 2010 to attract interest in our area as well as provide a foundation for our local celebrations. We will have thousands of people coming to British Columbia for the Olympics, and we can offer them something to see when the games are over."
Look for forthcoming advertising of the meeting. Johnson hints there may be a well-known performer as a special guest.
FALL FAIR HONOURS VOLUNTEERS
Princeton & District Agricultural Fall Fair Association hosted an appreciation dinner on October 23 for volunteers and sponsors. It was an "awesome" buffet, with more than enough for twice the number who attended.Drew Nordquist provided music, and the cooks of the Fair Association presented the roast beef, turkey, vegetables and an array of salads.
After dinner, President Jody Woodford presented certificates of appreciation to volunteers and sponsors who were present, thanking them for their support of the 2005 fair. John Bey presented a certificate to the president for her outstanding work for the fair.
After presentations and clean-up, the younger members of the organization stayed on to enjoy the music and socializing.
Certificates for sponsors and volunteers who were not present are being distributed by Fall Fair members.
