The lasting effects of the pandemic are hitting the live performing arts hard and one organization says ticket says for some New Westminster performances are struggling badly.
With ticket sales reaching less than 50% of pre-pandemic levels on a good day, the Vancouver Chamber Music Society faces a big dilemma. In the 2019-2020 season, the Vancouver Chamber Music Society received overwhelmingly positive feedback in the expansion of their suburban outreach concerts series to include New Westminster, Delta, and Coquitlam in addition to their already thriving West Vancouver and North Vancouver series.
According to Artistic Director Kevin Park, the first season of the New Westminster Series was a test drive to gather public interest for a continuing series.
“The reaction was beyond our expectation,” says Park, “Gary Hoffman’s concert was highly anticipated. It sold over half the capacity of the venue two months ahead of the performance.”
The onslaught of the pandemic in March 2020 put a cold stop to this momentum including postponing Gary Hoffman’s awaited concert. As the society restarted a series in Fall 2021, the series’ potential was recognized by support from major public sectors including the Province of BC and the Canada Council for the Arts and also individual donors and surrounding businesses. However, despite enthusiastic applause and well-wishes from grateful audiences, empty seats tell a different story.
Will New Westminster residents prove their enthusiasm at the two upcoming concerts featuring an internationally renowned violinist and cellist?
April 10th – Up and coming superstar violinist, Jinjoo Cho, will present a virtuosic program, “Devil’s Violin” featuring compositions by Debussy, Saint- Saëns, and Ysaÿe. The Times Argus describes Jinjoo’s artistry as having “undeniable charisma and depth… intense lyricism and heartfelt tenderness.” Jinjoo has proven her technical and artistic skills as 1st Prize Winner of the world’s most prestigious competitions such as the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.
May 1st – Long-awaited Gary Hoffman will finally present his Beethoven tribute featuring the master composer’s complete cello and piano sonatas. Originally hailing from Vancouver, Gary is considered one of the greatest cellists of today. His style is characterized by “fullness of sound, instrumental mastery and exceptional artistic sensibility”.
If New Westminster residents want the best of the classical world in the accessibility of your hometown, it’s up to them to fill the Anvil Centre theatre. Get a ticket for you and a friend for just $38 a person or $20 for students. Tickets are available online, over the phone, and at the door.
