Performers grateful to be back at work in Focus Online Series

“We were so excited for Episode 1! It surpassed all our viewership expectations,” marketing director & recording crew member, Camillia Courts, said. “There were people who tuned in from all over Canada, the U.S., Europe and China as well as all over the North Okanagan.”

The FOCUS Online Series is an extension of VDPAC’s live, onstage SPOTLIGHT Season presentations streaming for free online. The bi-weekly series is comprised of seven, 15-25 minute episodes to introduce Okanagan audiences to VDPAC’s new online programming and to showcase the region’s rich established, mid-career & emerging talent.

Twenty-two performing artists will be featured in this first FOCUS series, including the rockabilly band Dixie Fried Hep Katz; the Maritime Kitchen Party; fashion designer Jill Setah; ballroom dancers Heather Stranks & Jens Goerner; emerging singer-songwriter Justin Moore; new wave artist HaidenLaird; popular area band Chipko Jones, and more.

“This is the first time the Performing Arts Centre has produced original online content,” Courts said, “and we are thrilled to be able now to give performing artists in the Okanagan Valley a worldwide platform with a high-quality presentation that truly represents their talent. Who knows where it might lead?”

Hosted by Beach Radio’s Brian Martin, the initial FOCUS Online Series features high-quality HD video, digital sound and technical production that showcases artists in the best possible light.

Artists are pre-recorded in the newly-renovated and upgraded MFH Studio or onstage in “safety first” closed sessions at the Performing Arts Centre, with post-production conducted in-house. Artists are also paid performance fees from VDPAC’s annual presenting grants and supplemental government funding received to help support artists through COVID’s prolonged shutdown of touring and live performances. There is no admission fee for VDPAC’s FOCUS Online Series, however online audiences have the option to “Donate” online to help support to the Performing Arts Centre’s continued development of online programming.

“We need to keep our artists and audiences engaged and connected for the eventual return of live performances,” says VDPAC’s executive director Jim Harding. “But we are also looking to continue developing our online programming to complement our live SPOTLIGHT performances, and to make these opportunities available to other independent and established artists in the region. We now have the recording and live-streaming technical resources and opportunity to do so, and the FOCUS Online Series has already begun to generate that interest.”

Watch Episode 2 of VDPAC’s FOCUS Online Series for free, (running time: 18 minutes) airing from Thursday, Feb. 4 to Sunday, Feb. 7 (midnight) and comment on Facebook or Instagram.

Visit www.ticketseller.ca for links and more event streaming information.

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre thanks the following government funders for their generous support:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Government of B.C. through the B.C. Arts Council and B.C. Touring Council
Warming Up the Act
Regional District of North Okanagan

by Vernon Matters Staff

Performers grateful to be back at work in Focus Online Series

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