Sponsors play a large part in the success of Huntsville's popular year-round arts festival

(The following Trumpeter column originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Feb. 27, 2008.)

By Bruce Gowan

Large community events do not achieve success through the efforts of any one individual or group. While there is normally one main driving force, success is usually the result of a partnership of supporting players, each contributing their efforts and expertise to achieve the desired results.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts has prospered since its inception in 1993 and provides a perfect example of this idea of combined synergies. Over the years, a wide range of concerned citizens, both year-round and seasonal, have given their time and energy by serving on the board of directors and setting the direction for the organization.

Where would we be without the efforts of hundreds of backstage and front-of-house volunteers, especially in our early Deerhurst and Grandview days, when physical labour was part of the events? The support of our sponsors over the years has also been essential. As our programming has evolved, their support for the choices made has been an encouragement to those making the selections, and many have shown their support through personal financial donations.

In the arts, as in many other areas of life, money makes the world go round. With this in mind, it can be argued that the role of corporate sponsorship has been one of the most significant contributors to the festival’s current status. What is a corporate sponsor, why do they sponsor, and who is normally involved? These are all good questions, and there is no single answer to any of them.

Corporate sponsors are normally businesses within the community. At times they are businesses located outside of our area with some interest in the Huntsville area, either personal or economic. More recently there have been individuals who have stepped forward to sponsor festival concerts, knowing that their support is assisting the organization achieve its goals. In many cases sponsorships are settled in cash, but often they can be offset partially or fully with the supply of services, such as food and lodging for the artists, contra deals through various media, or donations of items to the May Marche fundraiser.

Some businesses sponsor for marketing reasons, knowing that the festival’s 50,000 brochures are distributed across the region and to certain other places across the province. Web linkages are becoming more important to many businesses’ overall marketing strategy and the festival’s site is regularly visited and reviewed. Identification from the stage and recognition in the lobby of the theatre goes a long way to link the sponsoring business as both a supporter of the arts and also the community.

Bruce Gowan is currently the vice president of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and has been an active member of the board of directors and a backstage volunteer for many years.

A number of local businesses have established partnerships with primary suppliers to co-sponsor performance evenings, providing a social setting to strengthen the overall relationship. Over the years companies from outside of Huntsville have linked festival sponsorships in with corporate retreats and conventions, using their complimentary tickets to allow executive and staff to enjoy the shows.

In the simplest form, many firms sponsor the festival because they know that it is a valuable community asset, one more feature that makes our community unique and attractive to visitors and residents alike.

Matching up sponsors and artists is always a challenge. Individuals and businesses normally want to be associated with an arts offering that meets with their tastes and reflects their business interests. Some are very interested in meeting the artist personally, another perk that comes with the package. There are a few that have no preference, but the fact we have an eclectic program has allowed us to satisfy most tastes.

Sponsorships and co-sponsorships range from $1,000 up to $5,000 and vary depending on the artist and the prominence of the evening. Last year, a Patron’s Program was started to allow businesses to support the festival, and receive certain sponsorship benefits, for a donation of $750. Over the next few weeks the festival’s 2008 program will be rolled out and sponsorships secured. If you see yourself or your business being involved in this program send an e-mail to info@huntsvillefestival.on.ca for further information.

Black Umfolosi group captivates audiences

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Feb. 13, 2008.)

Zimbabwe-based performers likened to the acclaimed South African group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

By Gillian Brunette

Black Umfolosi is an internationally acclaimed harmonic a capella singing and traditional African dance group based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Their dynamic, colourful performances showcase the traditional dancing styles of the southern African region, as well as the more contemporary styles and movements they have personally developed.

Likened to Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa, Black Umfolosi tours extensively from their homeland to the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia, Europe, Canada and the United States.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts brings Black Umfolosi to the Algonquin Theatre on Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m.

GUMBOOTERS: Black Umfolosi, Zimbabwe’s favourite a capella and traditional African dance group, appears at the Algonquin Theatre on March 1. Tickets are $25.

Black Umfolosi was first formed in March 1982 at the George Silundika Primary School in Ntabazinduna. This was a new boarding school without facilities to entertain children during weekends. One evening, around the campfire, children started singing community songs. This was enjoyed so much by both the children and school staff that the formation of a school choir was put forward.

On March 15, 1982, those who attended the school were put on a register and a rehearsal schedule was put in place. About 35 students were involved.

The following year, the school relocated to a town 57 kilometres west of Bulawayo, where the choir continued to sing under the direction of Jupitor Jonz. It was through him that the name Black Umfolosi was chosen from a long list of suggestions.

The name is taken from a river in Natal province of South Africa. Rivers are important to the African way of life, providing water to animals, birds, plants and people. It was decided that Black Umfolosi would reach people with the same positive effect.

The school played a big role in the formation of the group, providing transport for the first Black Umfolosi trips to nearby schools for performances.

The group, much loved around the world, offers its sweet sounds of a capella with marvellous harmonies, gospel singing, plus captivating dancing, including the gumboot dancing of South Africa. Black Umfolosi delivers a performance with fun and joyful enthusiasm. These bare-torsoed, hard-hatted performers never fail to captivate their audiences and encourage them on to the stage to join in the performance.

“There is no doubt that anyone interested in the shimmering vocal harmonies and compulsive rhythms which characterize South African vocal harmony groups will be mesmerized by Black Umfolosi,” noted a review in Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald.

Tickets for Black Umfolosi are $25 for adults and $15 for youth under 18, plus GST, and are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.

Festival launches survey on its website

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Feb. 6, 2008.)

Information on what patrons would like to see will help in determining future programming for the festival

By Gillian Brunette

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts celebrates its 16th anniversary this year and, in order to continue to provide exciting entertainment, education and economic development for the Huntsville area, the festival board is asking for the public’s input.

To that end, a simple and user-friendly survey has been drawn up and is available on the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.

The survey will also be sent to approximately 770 patrons who have registered their e-mail addresses through the festival site.

“We will probably run the survey for three months initially and during that time we will monitor the response numbers for further promotion,” said Ron Baker, HFA board director.

To access the survey, go to the festival website and click on the link. The information gathered will not be used for any purpose other than to gather information from existing patrons and the public at large.

Two responses per e-mail address will be accepted in order to ensure the required balance of opinion. To thank participants for their input there will be a draw, from among those who respond, for two tickets to the show of their choice in the 2008 season. Some of the questions asked in the survey include:

•Do you consider yourself an area resident or visitor?

•What is the postal code of your primary residence?

•Approximately, how many times during the HFA’s summer season have you attended shows at the Algonquin Theatre?

•In general, were you satisfied with these events?

•Do you feel that ticket prices at the Algonquin Theatre are generally a good value?

•What are your primary entertainment interests?

The festival board is also asking those who participate in the survey to please mention it to their friends, or forward it to other patrons and ask them to participate.

“The more people providing input the more accurate our assessment of the community will be. This is their festival. Making their voice heard matters to the festival’s future direction and its continuing importance to Huntsville,” said Baker.

Click this link to go directly to the survey.

Algonquin Theatre has financially rewarding year, thanks in part to festival shows

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Feb. 6, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

In budgetary terms Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre had a very good year in 2007.

While it operates at a deficit of $159,000, the theatre finished the year with a deficit of $121,000, more than $38,000 better than forecast.

To put that into perspective, Parry Sound’s Charles W. Stockey Centre has been fraught with financial woes and recently proposed a 2008 operating budget of $425,000.

“The financial success can be attributed to a great economy in 2007 and to some very popular programming. This resulted in many sold-out shows, bringing in excess revenues,” said Algonquin Theatre facilities manager Karin Terziano. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts experienced one of its best summer seasons ever, with 16 sold-out performances and many others in the 75 per cent range, said Terziano.

“They added a jazz festival in early August, which was also well received.” Adding to the financial success and community enjoyment were a number of community-based plays, Terziano said.

“Plays such as Fiddler on the Roof, Sexy Laundry, Dinosaurs and Dreams, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Christmas Carol played to almost 5,000 patrons.”

The Algonquin Theatre has proven over the past three years to be a community theatre in every sense of the word, said Terziano.

“Local talent and professional shows graced the Algonquin stage on 126 occasions in 2007.”

She continued: “Of course, the financial success of the theatre would never be possible without the volunteers who, based on those 126 performances, contributed over 8,000 hours in unpaid labour.” Looking ahead at 2008 Terziano said she is expecting about the same level of programming as last year.

“We have got four plays here in the first five months, which is a little more than normal, and while Theatre Muskoka will not operate in Huntsville this summer, the festival of the arts has programmed more shows in August than they usually do.” Also expected to bring in the crowds is the much-anticipated new show from Women Fully Clothed.

“There is a lot of excitement and anticipation around the theatre about the premiere of a brand new show. Women Fully Clothed were here in August 2006 and 2007 and they were so impressed with our theatre and the town that they decided to write their new show and premiere it here.”

The new show (which is still to be named), featuring a cast of five renowned Canadian comedy artists, will preview Aug. 20 to 23.

“If the Huntsville Festival of the Arts brings in performances that were as popular as last year, it will translate into another good summer financially,” said Terziano.

“The better a show sells the better we do, as the theatre is rented on a per-ticket-sold pricing system unlike some centres which have a flat-rate rental. A good economy also helps, of course, as people have more disposable income.”

Proposed for the fall of 2008 is a new children’s entertainment series, which will be a first for the Algonquin. Also continuing are the seniors’ Smile Theatre series. These one-hour matinee musicals are becoming increasingly popular. There are three more performances left in the current season, with The Great Farini on stage Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

The theatre brochure for January to June is available at the theatre and various outlets around town.

PLEASE NOTE: Huntsville Festival of the Arts spring shows are listed in the Algonquin Theatre January-June brochure.

Nothing is more exciting than watching a live performance, says HFA director

(The following Trumpeter column originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Jan. 30, 2008.)

By Helena Renwick

My experiences with theatre production and front of house have been a part of my life for many years, and there is really nothing as exhilarating as watching a live performance.

My years at Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall in Toronto allowed me to see many musical greats such as the late Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and the Toronto Symphony, to name a few. Even as front of house manager of the Algonquin Theatre, still nothing compares to the thrill of a live performance.

We are very fortunate to have the Huntsville Festival of the Arts in Huntsville. As a new member of the board, I can’t help but get excited about the preparation for the 2008 season. When I left the theatre to spend more time with my family, I felt as though I still wanted to contribute to the festival. By way of the board and specifically on the education committee, I have been able to fulfill this desire.

NOT BORED: Helena Renwick joined the Huntsville Festival of the Arts board of directors in 2007 and is taking a particularly active role as a member of the education committee.

All three of my children have been exposed to the arts, indirectly because of my time at the theatre and directly by a conscious choice of taking them to various performances. My youngest, Iain, still talks about Splash H2O, which we saw last summer.

Imagine a world without the arts. No dance, music or theatre. What would our culture be? The importance of art in a child’s education is undeniable; however, art education is on a decline and it is often up to the parents to be art educators.

Art has proven to keep children in school, provide motivation, and help children better understand the world in which they live. Thus, parents must be equipped with the tools to expose their children to the arts. Art is a universal language that has stretched over several generations and cultures. Often the best record we have of the past is the art that has been left behind. Visual arts, drama, literature and music enhance the awareness as well as the understanding of other cultures, both past and present, thus enabling children to better understand and communicate with others.

Children learn to appreciate the diversity amongst others. One of the best ways for a parent to expose children to art is through live performance of theatre, dance and music. Through the Huntsville festival, parents can take their children to concerts and plays and also experience the wonder of the Fringe Festival, the Arts Walk and Arts Splash.

Experience those performances with them. They are live and they are real. They get children thinking and talking and they will come away with new thoughts and ideas, their minds open.

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts is waiting for you.

Pro musicians recreate Pink Floyd’s classic album, note for note, on stage Feb. 9

(The following article originally appeared in The Huntsville Forester on Jan. 16, 2008.)

By Gillian Brunette

Pink Floyd fans and music obsessives are in for a real treat when the Huntsville Festival of the Arts brings Classic Albums Live’s Dark Side of the Moon to the Algonquin Theatre Feb. 9.

Classic Albums Live is comprised of musicians hired to perform classic albums note for note, cut for cut, in a live show in the order the tracks appear on both sides of the original album.

Classic Albums Live performs all over North America with a repertoire of some 30 albums. These include the Eagles’ Hotel California, Wings’ Band on the Run, the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Queen’s Night at the Opera and Bob Marley’s Legend, to name just a few.

The founder of Classic Albums is Toronto musician and producer Craig Martin. He hires musicians for each specific show, which tour across Canada and the United States.

ON THE DARK SIDE: Craig Martin, founder of Classic Albums Live, brings top professional musicians to play Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at the Algonquin Theatre on Feb. 9.

Pink Floyd’s classic vinyl The Dark Side of the Moon, featuring an iconic refracting prism cover, is a concept album by the British progressive rock band. It was released in 1973 and is notable for its use of musique concrète and philosophical lyrics, something that would eventually become a trademark of Pink Floyd’s music.

The album was a landmark in rock music, as it featured radio-friendly songs such as Money, Time, Us and Them, and Brain Damage/Eclipse.

The Dark Side of the Moon, widely hailed by many critics and fans as Pink Floyd’s magnum opus and definitive album, explores the nature of the human experience. For example, Time deals with growing older and the overwhelmingly fast approach of death. Money deals with materialism and contains tongue-in-cheek lyrics and wealth-related sound effects.

The Dark Side of the Moon spent 741 consecutive weeks (14 years) on the USA-based Billboard 200 album chart, the longest duration in history. It is also the fifth highest selling album globally of all time, selling more than 40 million units.

Other album facts include:

•Dark Side has sold approximately 34 million copies worldwide.

•The album hit number one on the U.S. charts for one week in 1973.

•The album is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being on the charts longer than any other album in history.

•The music and lyrics for the entire album were written during a seven-week period when the band was preparing for a tour and desperately wanted to premier new material.

•The album was first performed live at the Dome in Brighton, England, on Jan. 20, 1972.

Classic Albums Live will faithfully reproduce The Dark Side of the Moon. It will be an experience that is sure to be rewarding, something that will stay with you and something you’ll seek out in the future.

For more information, go to www.classicalbumslive.com or check out an interview with the group’s founder at http://www.classicalbumslive.com/pages/newsarchive/newsfall2007.html. Tickets for The Dark Side of the Moon are $28 for adults and $18 for youth, plus GST, and available at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.