2010/11 Entertainment Series LINE-UP & Package Specials

Written by Natalie Labbee on 09 September 2010

September 8, 2010

SOUNDCHECK, LIGHTS, MICS, ACTION!

Nite on the Town Entertainment Series of the Arts (NOTES) announces 2010-11 lineup!

Our Committee is overjoyed to announce our 3rd successful year in bringing performing arts to our Community and to the North Shore! It’s exciting times as we embark on a new year of quality entertainment. We hope that you will agree that it is something that is definitely needed in order to enhance the quality of life we all know and enjoy.

Did you know that the Nite on the Town Entertainment Series (NOTES) is the only Series of it’s kind east of Thunder Bay, with the exception of Geraldton? Over the past three years, our Committee has worked hard to develop a strong partnership with outlying communities such as Thunder Bay, Geraldton, Sioux Lookout, Atikokan, Fort Frances, and Dryden recognized at the provincial and federal funding levels as the “Northwest Presenters” group. This partnership has proved to be a successful venture and commitment to secure block bookings in order to access quality first class entertainment at an affordable price for the region. It has also been an essential component to meet first hand with funding agencies to ensure sustainability; in fact, we have just received $4500 from the Ontario Arts Council; an agency of the Government of Ontario. We are proud of our status as a Series that is envied by many, and our contribution and dedication to bringing these incredible shows to the North Shore continues to be recognized and valued. Many of the performers and their agents may have to Google where we are, but once they get here, they never forget us!

Since 2007, our Committee has been establishing a solid audience base. Depending on the type of show and overall interest in various genres of performances, we have seen audience numbers anywhere from 60 – 250. Given the economic status of our region, we have been fortunate to have attained enough ticket sales at each show to only see a small shortfall in our budget overall, and that is where our commitment to fundraising comes in.

Since becoming Incorporated as a Non-profit Organization in September 2009, the Ontario Arts Council has also provided funding for our Chairperson to attend an annual Showcase: “Ontario Contact”, held in the fall each year in Toronto. It is a perfect networking opportunity and keeps Manitouwadge on the map as a professional series envied by many. Our Chairperson and Tech Director also attend two planning sessions annually in Thunder Bay to meet with funding agencies and our network partners in a continued effort to share ideas concerning funding needs, audience development & retention and marketing strategies.

Fundraising also continues to be of utmost priority for us; in fact, in addition to planning the annual Series, we have also hosted and coordinated several local talent nights, two Cabaret nights during Frosty Days celebrations, and a sold out Holiday Showcase last December which also benefited the Food Bank.

Recently, our Committee also hosted the Salamander Shakespeare Company from Ottawa (which you may have read about right here on OntarioNewsNorth.com (see link below)), who regularly perform at the National Arts Centre. The group was travelling on a True North Tour which took them to over 15 communities from North Bay to Dryden. In addition to performing “Romeo & Juliet” for general audiences, our Committee was also able to secure the performers to provide an interactive acting workshop which provided 20 youth ages 6-13 with the opportunity to learn more about theatre arts and “creating character”. To keep costs down, the actors and their stage manager were billeted within the community for two days and performed their evening show to over 120 people, including several from Marathon. As always, the performers commented on the incomparable hospitality they received during their stay in Manitouwadge, which we pride ourselves on.