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A Message from
Deb Tymstra
President,
Performing Arts Burlington |
When Performing Arts Burlington was born, its purpose was to bring a performing arts centre to Burlington. Well, it’s a go - it’s happening!
After several decades and the dedicated efforts of more people than I could possibly list in the space of this column, the future of the centre is assured. It has changed over the last few years, but the detailed design phase now includes a 718-seat main auditorium and a 225-seat studio theatre. The family lobby has been opened up to allow for more light and to better accommodate access from the street to the box office, coat rooms, bars and washrooms. Back of house has been expanded to 10 feet to allow for suitable movement of equipment and performers, and an additional 2,100 sq ft have been added on the second floor for marshalling, rehearsals and warm-ups.
Demolition of the existing police station at the corner of Locust and Elgin streets is slated for this summer, with a shovel in the ground before year end. To track the progress of this project, or to make a donation, you can visit www.burlingtonpac.ca. Regular news bulletins
will also be available by subscribing to the City of Burlington’s webminder service, available at the bottom of the page under the contact tab.
Congratulations to all who have worked tirelessly to breathe life into this project, from advocating to fundraising to advising. Well done!
Volunteers needed for
The success of Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival is a reflection of the Canadian way - a commitment to volunteering and community involvement. That’s how this premier event
has grown to attract more than 190,000 visitors. This year the Festival has confirmed that Kim Mitchell, Matt Dusk and Robert Michaels will be three of many Canadian musical talents performing during the June 12-15 weekend.
Like PAB, the Festival operates as a separate entity from the City of Burlington. Planned by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and more than 70 year-round committee
volunteers, the Festival adds an additional 400+ volunteers to work on various tasks during the weekend. Volunteerism has become the backbone of the Festival and is vital in maintaining and preserving the original initiatives of holding an annual
event with free admission.
Becoming a festival volunteer provides the opportunity to meet new people, get involved in the community and, for high school students, earn required volunteer hours. The Festival
welcomes new volunteers to join committees or just pitch-in on the Festival weekend. Please visit the Festival website, www.soundofmusic.ca, and click on the Volunteer button to find out more.
KooGle Theatre presents...
The KooGle Theatre Company is presenting Couple of Swells, a movie musical revue with four performances during July. The revue stars PAB member Leslie Kay and her husband
Christopher Alan Gray, both appearing with permission from Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. The performances take place at the Central Park Band Shell, beside the Central Library at 7:30 pm on Thursday July 10, 17, 24 and 31. Pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested minimum). For more information see
www.koogletheatre.com or call 905-633-8788.
