Twilight Tango, part of Episode 5 of the Focus Online Series (Submitted photo/ VDPAC)
Free to watch

Fifth installment of Focus Online Series begins tonight

Mar 18, 2021 | 9:44 AM

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre’s (VDPAC) Focus Online Series continues to gain momentum.

The successful series returns with Episode 5 tonight, featuring three performances of traditional Chinese dance by The Rejoicing Team; classical trio Twilight Tango; and 13 year old singer from Kelowna, Scotty Berg.

Episode 5 airs online for four days only from 12:01 a.m., Thursday, March 18 to midnight, Sunday, March 21. To view is free, with donations gratefully accepted.

Visit www.ticketseller.ca for links and streaming details.

“The FOCUS Online Series has been a major success with over 3,300 views, and has been watched all over the world including China, Japan, England and the USA,” marketing director Camillia Courts stated. “The series has been met by widespread viewer and industry praise for the highly-talented and diverse performers, the technical production values and seamless online accessibility.”

VDPAC launched the series on January 21 as a digital extension of its live, onstage SPOTLIGHT Season, streaming online for free bi-weekly for four days only. The 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 are featured in this first FOCUS Series, hosted by Beach Radio’s Brian Martin.

Artists were pre-recorded in HD video and digital sound in VDPAC’s newly-renovated and upgraded Marie Fleming Studio; or onstage in “safety first” closed sessions at the Performing Arts Centre, with post-production conducted in-house.

Artists are 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.

Online audiences have the option to “Donate” online to help support to the Performing Arts Centre’s continued development of online programming. FOCUS Series streaming episodes are available through links posted on VDPAC’s Ticket Seller box office website at ticketseller.ca and on Facebook (@vdpac) and Instagram (@vernonperformingarts).

To view free one minute featurettes of FOCUS Online Series performers from Episodes 1 to 4, viewers can go online to YouTube and enter “vdpac” in the Search field for VDPAC’s own YouTube channel.

VDPAC recorded a selection of pieces from each of the FOCUS Series artists and based on public and industry response, is exploring a second FOCUS Series. The centre is also exploring a SPOTLIGHT OnLINE Concert platform for streaming live and/or pre-recorded performances, including those originating from other theatres. Watch for further announcements.

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre thanks the following government funders for their generous support: Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of BC through the BC Arts Council and the Regional District of North Okanagan.