Submitted by ARTSPRING
Addressing a keen audience last Thursday, executive and artistic director Howard Jang unveiled ArtSpring’s new 2024/25 season, a year he promises will be “one of the most culturally diverse, captivating and colourful yet” with a record 36 ArtSpring Presents performances from artists across B.C., Canada and the world.
Five luxurious Met Opera broadcasts, a few surprise concerts, and a never-before-seen exhibition of the private art and global artifact collection of Robert and Birgit Bateman round out this remarkably robust program.
Advance ticket sales got underway for members yesterday, with tickets going live online and to the general public Tuesday, Sept.10. ArtSpring welcomes back Island Savings Wealth Management as its season partner, with Country Grocer also receiving applause for its support of the $5 Youth Program, an initiative to help students and families with children access world-class performances more easily.
After a successful 25th-anniversary season, including the five-day community arts festival, a record-breaking Treasure Fair and ArtSpring achieving its million-dollar Endowment Fund goal in the 11th hour, the new season marks a fresh direction informed by community outreach.
“Last season, we consulted our patrons, our local artistic community, and the island population about our programming and our role,” said Jang. “We’ve been listening, engaging and looking to pilot some exciting new ideas, while continuing to celebrate the classic repertoire that has been our foundation.”
Choice and contrast was identified as the theme. A beautiful performance by young classical pianist/soprano Rachel Fenlon shares the season with Indigenous B.C. hip-hop sensation Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Shakespeare’s As You Like It gets a very radical retelling in the season opener, as does the fast-paced Juliet, A Revenge Comedy, yet string quartets Borealis and Penderecki keep music history and technique alive and well.
From presenting Dave Brubeck jazz to the Haitian afro-funk of Wesli, spoken word superstar Shane Koyczan to Ballet Victoria’s Frankenstein, stand-up comedian Julie Kim to the Banff Mountain Film Festival screening, ArtSpring is seeking to expand its genres and audience range.
“There is more for young people, more comedy and theatre, more fun,” said Kirsten Bolton, communications manager. “But in listening to older patrons’ concerns, we’ve also moved to many more afternoon concerts so that battling dark nights and bad weather isn’t an inhibitor to coming to a great show.”
ArtSpring’s Theatre Angel Program also received attention at the Aug. 29 launch event, with backers including Island Savings, Windsor Plywood, Salt Spring Foundation and individual donors being noted for their support. The stigma-free program puts 20 seats aside per ArtSpring Presents performance for only $15 to any community member facing economic barriers.
ArtSpring’s regular prices have not been increased.