Arts patron Noreen Rustad believes the line up for next season’s Performing Arts Series of world-renowned musicians coming to Knox Performance Centre and the Prince George Playhouse is so great it will tempt her daughters to visit Prince George more often come this fall.
The lineup of celebrated International and Canadian artists set to perform in Prince George beginning in September and taking place throughout the winter and spring are a showcase of artistic excellence and cultural diversity, said Eli Klasner, executive director at the Prince George & District Community Arts Council (CAC).
Partnering with Trinity United Prince George (TUPG) this is the third season for the Performing Arts Series that was announced Wednesday, July 16 at the Community Arts Council’s Studio 2880.
“I am very impressed with the quality of performers they have coming here,” Rustad said.
“I was just saying to Margaret (Jones-Bricker, CAC board president) that I can’t believe our little community is going to get people who are world renown actually coming here. The upside of that is that my daughters, Tammy and Kathleen, enjoy classical music and I have high hopes to get them both to come up a couple of times to visit in order to take in these performances. This is phenomenal and I commend the Community Arts Council for their efforts.”
When the Knox Performance Centre opened in 2023 it opened the doors to more showcases suited for a mid-size venue of 300 seats and has the most up-to-date performance lighting and sound system in Northern BC, Klasner said.
Then the City of Prince George asked the Community Arts Council to take over the management of the Prince George Playhouse that has most recently seen some much-needed repairs and upgrades, he added.
“In those couple of years we’ve done something really magical here in Prince George,” Klasner said.
“We have created an amazing opportunity and developed new performing arts opportunities, events, concerts. Even helping lead the way to bring in some amazing performers from out of town and we’ve given new life to all the local community groups who focus on performing arts to give them wonderful new venues so I am quite proud of the work we’ve done and the partnerships and collaborations we’ve developed along the way.”
“Bringing these performers to Prince George reflects our commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of our community,” said Rev. Dr. Bob Fillier, lead minister at Trinity United Prince George.
“This season, we’re offering audiences a chance to experience stories and sounds from across the country and around the world, right here in our own city.”
Shelby Richardson, CAC performing arts program manager, said they are thrilled to continue building on the success of the Performing Arts Series.
“Each show has been carefully selected to reflect diverse genres and perspectives, ensuring something for everyone while highlighting the creative spirit that thrives in Prince George,” Richardson said.
“I think the lineup is really eclectic and it’s got everything that I could ever dream of being able to see here in Prince George," Klasner said.
In addition to featured productions, a variety of workshops and community engagement opportunities will be offered throughout the season.
Klasner took the time to talk about donor packages that would target the facilities themselves rather than the series itself.
“We are looking for people and businesses that want to help us out keeping these buildings open,” Klasner said. “Neither one of these facilities gets direct funding subsidies from anywhere. We have to keep these buildings going based on rental income and whatever little profit we can make from these performances as well. We thank the City of Prince George for keeping the lights on and the furnace running at that Playhouse throughout the year. That’s great.”
This year any funds from donor and corporate sponsors will be dedicated to keeping the buildings open, doing any upgrades and improvements as needed, Klasner added.
“And when you throw your money behind these two facilities I want you to keep in mind that you are helping out all the community arts groups that are using those buildings,” Klasner said.
Mayor Simon Yu attended the announcement and marveled at the talented entertainers that will grace the Prince George venues’ stages.
Yu said he saw Jon Kimura Parker when he was just starting out and is pleased to have the opportunity to see him perform in Prince George in October. Yu was wondering how that came about.
When Richardson reached out to Parker’s representatives to make the request for him to perform in Prince George it inspired a musical tour that will take place throughout BC.
“And that wasn’t in the books until we spoke with them about him coming to PG,” Richardson smiled.
“And that’s pretty exciting.”
Yu congratulated the Community Arts Council and Trinity United Prince George on the line p of performances.
“You have done a fantastic job,” Yu said.
“I think we need to promote each other. We are all ambassadors and when people come from all over the world — investors — I can schedule some of their visits with some of these performances and perhaps we could get some big corporate sponsorship. I think this is what is needed. I think we can do a lot of things and the work is always ongoing.”
During the Performing Arts Series announcement the presentation was set in video form showcasing each upcoming show.
KNOX PRESENTS SEASON (Presented by TUPG)
All performances at Knox Performance Centre
- Jake’s Gift – October 25, 7:30 p.m.
- Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Project – January 24, 7:30 p.m.
- Rum Ragged: Traditional Newfoundland Folk Songs – April 24, 7:30 p.m.
THE PLAYHOUSE SESSIONS (Presented by the CAC)
All performances at Prince George Playhouse
- Jon Kimura Parker in Concert & Inauguration of restored Bechstein Piano– October 29, 7 p.m.
- Ballet Kelowna's Macbeth – March 7, 7 p.m.
- Jonelle Sills: A Night at the Opera – May 9, 7 p.m.
THE PERFORMING ARTS SERIES (Presented by TUPG & CAC)
- Becoming the Beatles – September 27, 7:30 p.m., Knox Performance Centre
- Delhi 2 Dublin – April 16, 7 p.m., Knox Performance Centre
For tickets for performances at Prince George Playhouse visit www.PrinceGeorgePlayhouse.ca.
For tickets for performances at Knox Performance Centre visit www.KnoxCentre.ca.
Season ticket packages for a 20 per cent discount are available through Sept. 27.
