Ontario Minister of Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Culture Lisa MacLeod says her portfolio, which includes the music industry, was the first hit, hardest hit, and will take the longest to recover from COVID-19.
Those who perform, produce, or set up live shows have seen first hand how difficult the pandemic can be.
Empire Theatre owner Mark Rashotte says they are in the industry of public assembly.
“We have to pivot. How are we going to do it and that’s when we get into the live streaming part and investing heavily. We had no money coming up but let’s spend a lot of money on extra cameras and switchers etc. I’m happy that we’ve done 60 plus shows since August.”
The Empire Theatre has turned to live streaming concerts as a way to support the arts and the theatre staff.
Local artists, national and even international musicians have graced the stage during the pandemic.
Rashotte says this summer’s festival season will not be happening and it will be similar to last year. He is hopeful however things will slowly start to change.
” I’m hopeful for shows that we had booked in the fall. Some great shows booked with tickets sold already that there are shows we have moved and moved and moved again, to try to stay ahead of where we think it’s going to be be realistic. This could change on a daily basis, but I feel good that probably by November we are going to be in good shape.”
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Empire Theatre owner Mark Rashotte
He says he understands that this is a moving target but the most recent news is tough.
For the next four weeks, live streaming of virtual shows is prohibited, even if the venue is empty.
“All of a sudden we can’t do live streaming or have people in the place anymore. I mean we have 700 seats and we have only been able to have 50 people maximum in the building. We have been doing all of the right things.”
Rashotte added the tough part is that other industry is allowed to have 15 or 25 or 50% capacity.
A link to Belleville’s Empire Theatre is available by CLICKING HERE
Chris Hadfield talking to a sold out Empire Theatre in Belleville (photo: Quinte News)
