The Stettler Variety Showcase board needs additional hands to keep meeting its mandate of bringing great entertainment to town at affordable prices.
“The challenge is bringing in quality performers and doing it at the best rate possible,” said board vice-chair Deb Spiller. “We still offer the best deal around.”
Spiller said the board is looking for three additional members, including a technical supervisor who can operate the lighting and sound equipment for the Showcase’s performers.
The board held its annual general meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17 in the basement of the office of the accounting firm Gitzel Krejci Dand Peterson (GKDP).
Board members approved the minutes of last year’s meeting, looked over the financial statement and elected officers for the coming year.
The financial statement, prepared by treasurer Leo Gitzel and audited by GKDP, indicated that the showcase ended this year with a deficit of $9,249, compared with last year’s surplus of $8,359.
Board members attributed the shortfall to a decline in both ticket sales and the showcase’s Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant.
“There’s a lot of reasons our ticket sales are down,” said Beth Lynes, who serves as the showcase’s booking agent.
Rose Fenske, who oversees advertising and promotions, observed that more patrons were opting to attend individual shows, rather than paying for the entire season.
“We have to really evaluate this year what our next year’s going to look like,” Spiller told the board.
Also present at Wednesday’s meeting were chair Ismay Seyer, member-atlarge Jan Wells and current technical supervisor Scott Pfeiffer, who has indicated he intends to step down in January.
Gitzel did not attend the meeting owing to health issues. All current board officers were re-elected, including secretary Melanie White, who is currently on maternity leave. Wells agreed to cover her duties until her return.
Spiller said that potential board candidates should have a love of entertainment, in helping the board to meet its mandate of bringing acts from a variety of genres to Stettler.
Anyone interested in joining the board can contact Rose Fenske at 403-742-3092.
The concert series for the coming year runs from December 2014 to April 2015 at the Performing Arts Centre and features performances by roots musician John Lee Sanders, the Foothills Brass, jazz vocalist Kellylee Evans, stage performer Tomas Kubinek and Celtic pop artist Jimmy Rankin.
The upcoming dinner concert on Nov. 1 at the Stettler Community Hall will feature Bridget Ryan’s Cabaret, a combination of musical and stand-up comedy. Only 375 tickets will be available.
Tickets for the entire season, including the dinner concert, are $110 for adults and $55 for students.
Tickets for the five concert series are $80 for adults and $40 for students. Individual show tickets are also available. Tickets may be purchased at Pfeiffer