We are fortunate here in the Shuswap to have a rich cultural scene, but sometimes it’s a feast, other times a veritable famine.
From gallery art, to live theatre, classical music, ballet, opera, hip-hop, country music and probably the best cinema organization in the country, you name it, we seem to get it.
The Shuswap Folk Music Society brings us a world of music, while the film society does the same thing with cinema.
Many other organizations host fun evenings that bring the community together and benefit those in need here at home or abroad.
We get access to world entertainment, as well as a vibrant and growing number of homegrown artists and entertainers.
This past weekend was very quiet on the entertainment circuit – likely because we observed Remembrance Day on Sunday.
This coming Saturday, there are at least four live concerts – all of them worthy of large audiences, all of them competing, not just for dollars, but a chance to share their craft with the community.
This is not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last – unless someone takes on the role of co-ordinating events. Just as importantly, events planners would have to check with the co-ordinator to see if the date they want for their event has already been chosen by someone else.
Monica Kriese, who worked with the Downtown Improvement Association several years ago, remembers a large planning meeting attended by representatives from many community groups, including the Economic Development Corporation and Shuswap Tourism.
She says one of the most important “needs” identified for Salmon Arm was event planning. But, she said nobody had any funding and no one was willing to go looking for it.
More recently – well, if you can call five years recent – Louise Wallace stood before council, giving her final report on the Salmon Arm Centennial.
A member of the organizing committee, Wallace says the number-one recommendation contained in the report was the need, not only for an event co-ordinator, but a data base detailing where organizations could find items such as chairs, tables or other equipment and service providers.
Wallace said prior to and during yearlong centennial celebrations, the committee acted in this capacity, telling organizers what days already had events scheduled and what days were free.
With their growing data base, committee members were also able to tell organizers where to find square tables, round tables, chairs…
Wanting to bring back large events such as Moose Mouse Days and realizing the need for a co-ordinated effort, the District of Sicamous recently advertised a four-month position with a possibility of leading to full time employment.
I think we’re more than ready for an event co-ordinator here too. How do we get one?
