It may be a little cliché, but there is literally something for everyone in the jam-packed lineup of entertainment coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
The 2012-13 season features 34 exciting shows in nine different series, says Michael Cade, the cultural centre’s artistic and managing director.
That’s more than a dozen additional performances to be mounted this year.
With that kind of varied and extensive artistic schedule, they’ve become “the largest non-festival presenter” in the province, Cade tells The Progress.
Launching the blockbuster season on Sept. 29 — which coincides with the Cultural Centre’s second anniversary — will consist of a musical celebration with Canadian rockers, The Stampeders.
“This show is really about celebrating classic Canadian rock.”
It also fits in with the overarching goal of ensuring that Chilliwack residents have the “widest possible range of performing arts options” possible, he says.
Four new exciting series are coming this way: the Film Series, Festival Series, Comedy and More Series, and the Music Concert Series, providing a little something for everyone.
Look for super talented theatre performers, musicians, comedians, dance troupes, magicians, and the ever popular children’s theatre shows.
“The 34 shows represent the best entertainment available anywhere. We are thrilled to bring this to Chilliwack,” says Cade.
With strong financial support in the way of grants and sponsors coming on board, they were able to include shows that would otherwise never come to Chilliwack, he points out.
“We’re bringing in shows so people can see wonderful entertainment. At the end of the day, I don’t care if we break even. I just want the largest number of Chilliwack residents to see them.”
He’s talking about the more out there, wacky, and fringe-style offerings, for example, from slam poetry, or a one-man show on cancer.
“This is really the kind of stuff that has never come to Chilliwack before, and some of them are gems that are not for everyone.
Some of these niche-oriented shows will be performed in the smaller, more intimate space of the Rotary Studio Hall with its 150 seats.
“There’s real potential there for making a connection with the audience.”
They specifically sought out the types of performances that might have been missing from the first two seasons when they put together the 2012-13 season.
“It was strong audience support that has allowed us to expand the program,” Cade says.
The average main stage audience last season had 483 people in attendance.
“Now we pretty much have anything anyone wants to see.”
From inspirational classical music and beautiful ballets, and mind blowing magic acts, a U.S. national Broadway touring musical to the fringe festival shows, there really will be something for all tastes.
There are discounts available with series packages. Tickets for all shows will be available through the Centre Box Office after July 26, 2012 or www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca. To subscribe or request a copy of the 2012-2013 Chilliwack Cultural Centre season brochure, please contact the Centre Box Office. For information on the 2012-2013 presentations, including dates and prices, visit www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca
