The Capitol Centre’s winter concert series not only aims to help local performers but also gives a glimpse into what post-pandemic shows may look like.
“Our local musicians during this pandemic, have lost almost all of their usual opportunities to showcase themselves and make money,” explained Caroline Parnell-Barry, marketing director for the Capitol Centre. “We’re happy that we’ve been able to come up with as many ways as is feasible for us to be able to continue putting out shows and supporting artists.”
Before the pandemic, a free-to-watch online performance would have been unthinkable for the Capitol Centre.
“We were able to tap into a little bit of funding to better equip our theatre to do online streaming shows with better cameras and things like that,” said Parnell-Barry.
With enhanced streaming capabilities in place, Parnell-Barry thinks the theatre will continue to utilize them even when people return to its seats.
“I think moving forward, there’s going to be a really interesting hybrid of opportunities for theatres,” she noted. “It’s a fabulous alternative right now and a great add-on to live shows.”
The Centre’s winter concert series is somewhat uncommon for theatres in Ontario. Parnell-Barry says the Capitol Centre is one of a handful of theatres in the province attempting to offer any programming.
Theatres in Brampton, Kingston, Oakville and Ottawa have all been able to offer virtual shows of some description throughout the pandemic, making up a small fraction of theatres in Ontario.
Parnell-Barry also says the importance of creative arts as a whole has been particularly highlighted by the pandemic.
“If you don’t think you value art, music and theatre, try getting through this pandemic without tapping into any of that,” she said. “It’s what’s saved people, I think, in many ways,”
The winter concert series will be live-streamed on the Capitol Centre’s Facebook page on February 23, March 2 and March 9 with two artists being featured per night.
