A number of Manitouwadge residents have been asking me about this year’s  Nite on the Town Entertainment Series (NOTES) and I feel that I should let everyone know what is going on.

The series for this year is not operating as it has in the past.  We have no grants to cover expenses but we have lined up Valdi on Sept 21 and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in November.  However if an act is coming through,  I will do my best to let everyone know and try to secure a one night show for our town.  The cost for these shows, should they occur,  will be variable.

The committee, made up of myself, Natalie Labbee, and Suzanne Matheson, has tried to keep things going,  however Natalie has relocated for work and her departure will make things more difficult.  I would like to thank Nat for all her hard work in auditioning and obtaining artists for our concert series [From the Editor: that is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to the work by Natalie for the series; she has fed the artists great homemade meals, arranged their accommodations, worked to keep media and corporate sponsors involved and to make the most of what each had to contribute, tirelessly promoted the series in Manitouwadge and in neighbouring communities and MUCH more!]

Realistically, our audience has been dwindling as fewer people avail themselves of our entertainments.  Last spring we tried a fundraiser using local entertainers but the audience was quite small, and therefore the funds raised were insufficient to meet our needs.

Expenses to run a concert here include the performance fees, hotels and meals for the artists. Administration expenses include paper, ink, stamps, and ticket printing,  and travel expenses to go to ‘Contact’ in Southern Ontario to audition artists for our series.   The NOTES board receives no compensation, nor do the technical personnel. Our thanks to Superior-Greenstone District School Board for the use of the high school auditorium for the cost of liability insurance.

We usually receive grants from a couple of government departments to assist us financially,  but they require time to prepare submissions and to send end of series reports that include audience numbers and finances.  Sometimes we are able to get local sponsors to help.

Our town has been very fortunate to get performances from people like The Rankin Family, Serena Ryder, Royal Wood, Shy-Anne Hovorka,  and others.  All of our performers come through at less cost than in larger centres.  To see a concert at the Community Auditorium in Thunder Bay ranges anywhere from $60 to $150 while we have been able to keep costs  if to the people of Manitouwadge at $25 for the past 2 years.

We are so fortunate to have an auditorium in our high school that ranks acoustically as one of the best in Northern Ontario, and it would be nice to continue using it.  Unfortunately it is too big for the audience that come to our shows.  Performing to 60 people in a 300 seat auditorium is discouraging to performers.

In order to get back into the series business,  we need to generate more money locally as the government grants only assist with about 20% of our expenses.  If Manitouwadge wants a music series that it can depend on, we need financial commitments from local people and businesses.  I estimate that if we could get a continuous commitment for series tickets at $150.00 from 100 people,  we could put on a series.  That amounts to $30 per concert.  Until that happens we cannot run a series.  Such individual commitments and business commitments for sponsorship along with the government grants would make a new series possible.

I hope this gives everyone a realistic view of our entertainment possibilities  and answers some of your questions.  Help with operations would also be appreciated.  You can contact me atphilmint@shaw.ca

Remember to mark September 21 as Valdi day.  Come out and support this great Canadian artist.  We have 260 seats to fill!

Phil Minty, Technical Director

Night on the Town Entertainment Entertainment Series, Manitouwadge