Back in May CN Centre entertainment manager Glen Mikkelsen was lamenting the lack of tour musicians and other entertainers on the local concert circuit.
Citing the cost of travel, the high U.S. dollar exchange rate, the 15 per cent refundable Canadian tax on touring artists, and a shortage of skilled production technicians, it was looking like a long dry season devoid of touring artists and Mikkelsen was scratching his head trying to find a way to fill the empty calendar of the 5,971-seat arena adjacent to his office at Exhibition Park.
Now, 2 ½ months later, that Prince George event calendar is looking a lot more full.
“I think it’s just timing, the acts were just kind of waiting to make a decision on if the economic climate seems ready to go back on the road and those decisions were made and we’re just fortunate to be included in some of those decisions,” said Mikkelsen.
“There’s still some hesitancy for some artists who might need to go on the road and for more things to keep coming to Prince George, people just need to support them.”
The turnstiles will be turning starting next weekend with the fourth annual Cariboo Rocks the North, which features 11 bands over three days. April Wine, Chilliwack, Streetheart, Sass Jordan and Powder Blues Band will be part of the classic rock lineup that starts next Friday afternoon at 4:30 in the CN Centre parking lot.
On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Bryan Adams, one of the biggest names in Canadian music history, returns to Prince George for the first time since November 2016. The Vancouver rocker’s biggest single, Everything I Do (I Do It For You) topped the charts in least 19 countries and songs like Run to You, Summer of ’69 and Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman have made him rich and famous. Tickets for his CN Centre are approaching sellout status.
“He’s in Western Canada and then he’s off to South Africa -he’s gone all the world and people can’t take it for granted he’ll come to Prince George because he’s from Vancouver,” said Mikkelsen. “He’s an international artist and we’re lucky to have him.”
Then on Wednesday, Sept. 27, Steel Panther, a comedic glam metal band from Los Angeles known for its profane and humourous lyrics, will make its first Prince George appearance.
On Friday, Oct. 13, Billy Talent will bring its brand of made-in-Mississauga punk/alternative/pop rock to the CN Centre stage, with special guest GOB.
Country music lovers have two dates to mark on their Ocober calendar. On Sunday, Oct 15, Dean Brodie will perform at Vanier Hall, followed on Friday the 20th by Brett Kissell, also at Vanier.
On Monday, Nov. 13, roots/retro rockers The Glorious Sons, the Juno Awards’ choice for album of the year in 2018 and 2020 visit Prince George for the first time from their home base in Kingston, Ont.
For live comedy fans (and who isn’t), PG’s own Alex Mackenzie is bringing his Hungry For Laughs tour to the big arena after planting the seed in previous years at the P.G. Playhouse and P.G. Civic and Convention Centre on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Mikkelsen has at least two more shows for the fall he’s just about to announce and there’s more to come.
The Prince George Cougars are about to start their 30tth season in Prince George and they play the Tri-City Americans in their first home game of the season on Friday, Sept. 22 – the first of 34 home games in 2023-24. The Cougars are expected to be one of the top teams in the WHL this season.
“We’re very excited about the Cougars’ season,” said Mikkelsen. “There’s a lot of anticipation that could be one of those years we may remember for a long time. There’s lots of positivity around the club.
Tickets for all those shows are available at the Tickets North box office at CN Centre or online on the North website.
