Arts on 817 fall concert series cancelled
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
Arts on 817 was all set to debut their Season 4 fall concert series on Oct. 17 but they’ve since had to cancel the first three shows of the season due to Alberta Health Services (AHS) protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic and limitations on inside gatherings.
Cancelling the first part of the series was a decision made by the Arts on 817 committee and was “made with heavy hearts but with the well-being of our audience in mind,” said Carolyn Steeves, artistic director of Arts on 817.
The concerts, which usually take place with a fall and winter series in the Strathmore United Church, were not feasible to hold this fall due to a maximum audience of 28 people being allowed in the church at a time, rules on cohorts and social distancing.
“We were also worried about the health of our concert artists and their ability to travel in Canada, and in the case of the Fretless, internationally,” said Steeves, who added that Strathmore United Church currently remains closed to all in-person church services and events such as the Arts on 817 concert series.
So far, Arts on 817 have held three concert series, playing a total of 14 concerts for arts enthusiasts to enjoy. The final concert in Season 3, Strathmore’s Emerging Artists, had to be cancelled last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic and gathering restrictions.
The first three concerts debuting Season 4 cancelled this fall were Bouey-Doucet on Oct. 17, The Fretless on Nov. 7 and GhostBoy Christmas on Dec. 5. The committee hopes to feature the cancelled artists later in the season should restrictions be lifted and concerts again be viable.
Should AHS protocols for COVID-19 ease enough to host concerts in the new year, three acts are scheduled to kick off the 2021 winter concert series: Cabot Crossing on Feb. 6, Slocan Ramblers on March 13 and the Strathmore High School Collage on May 1. The feasibility of hosting the remaining three concerts in the new year will be reassessed later this fall. Should the concerts still be held this season, tickets will be sold for concerts individually.
“We were so proud of Season 4. It was a great mix of amazing concerts and we certainly are hoping we can offer the artists when the time is right,” said Steeves. The Arts on 817 committee wants to “ensure the safety of our audience (and) we want our loyal patrons to be able to enjoy the incredible performances we offer without concern.”