Timing of trade show-style fair perfect to get message out

At a time when government funding for the arts is being slashed in B.C., the idea of local groups banding together to demonstrate their value to the community sounds like a smart move.

But Tammy Simon, co-ordinator for this Sunday’s (Sept. 13) first-ever Victoria Arts and Culture Fair, insists the timing of the funding cuts had little to do with her idea to gather local dancers, singers and other artists under one roof for one day.

She moved here from Ontario a couple of years back and was “surprised at how much there was to do and see here, given the size of the city.”

How could anyone, she thought – even diehard culture buffs – come to know the wide range of arts and cultural activities out there?

“I just wanted to get all the arts and cultures organizations under one roof so the public can come and explore what’s available to them,” she said.

The trade-show style venture is being spearheaded by the Victoria Operatic Society, for whom Simon works, and will be held at the Victoria Conference Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Besides a series of booths set up in the Carson Hall, a showcase of live talent will happen in 15-minute spans and spotlight nearly 20 local performing arts groups. More than double that number will be represented at the fair. Attendees can get a taste of everything from flamenco dancing to live theatre to vocal ensembles.

Initially Simon had thoughts of starting small and growing the event next year. The response to her first effort has been nothing short of overwhelming, she said.

She set an Aug. 15 deadline for exhibitors to register and found all but a few spots were taken six weeks before that.

“There’s a real buzz out there and the timing is perfect for it,” Simon said. “What this fair is doing is providing a really positive, energetic view of the arts for the community.”

One of the exhibitors, Ballet Victoria, has built a solid audience base in the region the past several years. That said, vice-president Katherine McGinnis is excited about the opportunity the fair presents for the professional dance company.

“Initially that was my wish, that people would walk away understanding the beauty and emotion of ballet, (despite not having) the opportunity to come to a performance in past,” she said.

While Ballet Victoria dancers won’t be part of the live entertainment snippets, dancers and company representatives will be on hand at their booth to talk about the upcoming season.

While one goal of the fair is to educate the public about what’s out there, the main objective is to help arts and cultural groups sell subscriptions and sign up students.

Who knows? The next Karen Kain, Ken Lavigne or Christopher Plummer might just be cruising down the aisles dreaming of a career in the performing arts.

For more information go to www.vicacf.ca.

editor@oakbaynews.com