Live Kicks will return for the 2020-21 season, with Kicking Horse Culture announcing a fall line-up of five acts.
The acts are all local or B.C. based, with three of the fan favourite Golden performers from Summer Kicks returning and two B.C. touring acts.
Shows are scheduled to start on Friday, Oct. 9, with Ricky Diamonds and will conclude on Friday, Dec. 11, with Retrofied. John McLachlan, Buddy Wackett & The Floorwalkers and Mike Delamont.
Other shows take place Oct. 23, Nov. 13 and Nov 26.
“It’s important we support local artists, who can’t tour right now, there’s no options for them to go anywhere with everyone hunkering down,” said Bill Usher, creative director at Kicking Horse Culture.
“We’re in the business of brining people together, socially, but we’re going to be physically distanced.”
The series will be building off the success of Summer Kicks, with some COVID safe adjustments as the entertainment heads indoors.
With seating capped at 50 people, per provincial COVID guidelines, there will be two shows a night.
Each show will be approximately an hour, with no intermissions.
READ MORE: Retrofied to entertain on Canada Day
Seating will be cabaret style with four people per table, who will remain in their bubbles for the duration of the performance.
Each table appropriately spaced out for proper physical distancing.
Usher says that they are asking people to wear a mask while entering the Civic Centre and while on the move, as the entry way and hallways can get bottle necked and congested.
“When you’re seated for the show, you can slide your mask down or take it off, since you’ll be socializing with your bubble,” said Usher.
“But we are asking everybody wear a mask.”
Among other protections will be contact tracing.
Usher also says they are working out on how to safely have a bar, with options like pre-ordering or table service being considered to avoid congestion at the bar.
Usher says he thought it was important to have live performances during COVID, as earlier efforts for streaming couldn’t quite capture the magic of being there in person.
“People’s average time on a stream was about three minutes, it just wasn’t catching the audience,” said Usher, referencing data that was accumulated by a network of creative directors across the country.
“There’s nothing like that live show on stage and having the audience engaged with the artists, instead of sitting on a couch at home with one friend and you’re both on your phone.”
Tickets will be selling at the Art Gallery of Golden for $20, with members paying $15.
They will be on sale for the first show starting on Oct. 1 and can also be purchased over the phone at 250-344-6186.
