Arts community hoping for increased indoor capacity starting July 1
Phase 3 of B.C.’s re-opening plan scheduled to begin July 1 includes the possibility of increased indoor capacity beyond the 50 people that are currently allowed in venues, but it doesn’t offer specifics.
“We have no sense what the capacity is going to be based on yet, and I believe that we won’t find out until June 29,” said Peter Cathie White, the executive director of the Arts Club Theatre.
The company is staging two small shows this summer, “I, Claudia,” starting in late July, and a musical called “Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story” that opens in early August.
“We have planned for them to have a capacity of 50, which we are hoping will become bigger," said Cathie White. “I will say that doing theatre for an audience of 50 people is not a financial sustainable model.”
It’s also not financially sustainable to play at vaccine clinics, but that’s what a trio from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra did on Thursday. They played Bach and Mozart for people waiting in line for their appointments at the Vancouver Convention Centre site.
“Everyone has been so supportive and sweet. It’s just nice to see people,” said violinist Cassandra Bequary.
During the pandemic the VSO has mostly played to virtual audiences.
“The whole symphony is trying to find creative ways to get out there and find small groups that are safe so we will all be doing as many little pop ups as we can this week and this summer,” said Bequary.
The VSO plans to return to full indoor concerts in the fall. If the province does increase venue capacity, the Arts Club will offer more tickets for its two shows.
“Our first production doesn’t start until July 22 so we have a bit of time to prepare, and we are really hopeful the capacity is increased to a more sustainable level,” said Cathie White, but he added, “We are prepared for anything at this stage.”
Bequary says there is one thing everyone can do to accelerate the return of the city’s vibrant arts scene.
“The higher the vaccination rate, the faster we can bring live music back to Vancouver. So the best way to support the arts is to get your vaccine,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
New York City FC coach repeats denial of allegations he punched a Toronto FC player
New York City FC coach Nick Cushing has repeated his denial of allegations that he punched a Toronto FC player, saying he is shocked and upset at the claim.