[pull_quote align=”right”]Many festivals such as: Peach festival, Friendship Festival, Grape and Wine, Folks Arts, Rose Parade, Canal Days and Marine and Heritage Festival…[/pull_quote]Cultural activities in Niagara: The many and varied multi-cultural groups and celebrations, festivals, local theatres, cultural performances and musical opportunities in Niagara cannot all be listed herein. Musically, Niagara is home to the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Chorus Niagara, Music Niagara and a Niagara Youth Orchestra, to name a few.Niagara has amateur and professional performing companies such as: Carousel Players, Showboat Festival Theatre, Niagara Falls Music Theatre society, Essential Collective Theatre, Thorold Community Theatre, Peninsula Players. Garrison Little Theatre, Port Colborne Operatic Society, Niagara Dance Company, Suitcase in Point Theatre, Stray Theatre,Queen Street theatre area inNiagara Falls and Theatre Beyond Words.
Brock Center for the Performing Arts (celebrating 41 years of operation)
- In 2009/2010 they offered 63 performances and 75 performances in 2010/2011 (professional touring music, theatre, dance, comedy and young audience artists; Theatre in Education Series for students)
- The number of attendees was 25,899 in 2009/2010; and this increased to 29,000 in 2010/2011
- The ticket prices ranged from $5- $69 in 2009-2010; and $5-$75 in 2010/2011
- 14 FREE community outreach events were offered in 2009/2010; and 20 in 2010/2011 (includes pre/post-performance artist chats/discussions, workshops, lecture/demonstrations, master classes)
The Shaw (celebrating 50 years of operation)
- 4 theatres attracted audiences of 261,000 in 2010
- 11 productions were offered, and over 764 performances (from April 7- October 30)
- The Shaw has over 10,500 loyal members and 600 employees in peak season, including 64 actors
- Operating budget for 2011 is $27 million (70% is from earned revenue) accumulated debt retired in 2009
- Ticket prices start at $24 (student special matinees) up to $104 for platinum prices
- 64.5% of attendees are fromCanada; 34.2% from theUSA; and 0.3% from international venues (In 2007, 59.3% were fromCanada/ local; 40.3% from US; and 4% overseas).
- The Shaw Festival Theatre FoundationCanadareports the Shaw as a prominent tourism driver contributing over $100 million in local activity annually.
Source: http://www.shawfest.com/support-the-shaw/corporate/introduction/
Emerging Activity: Brock University and the City of St. Catharines are investing in a new downtown Niagara Arts Centre and the Brock University Marilyn Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. This will provide Niagara with purpose built additional space for professional musicians, singers, actors and dancers in the live performing arts. The project will cost $101 million and is planned to include an 800 seat public concert theatre, 7 performance venues, 1 film venue, and 2 studios.
