Conseil des Arts de Hearst will be launching a new artistic season next week.
The unveiling of the 2020-21 season will take place on Aug. 27 at Espace Hearst Community Pavilion.
The event will kick off at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Camping Royale show performed by Toronto-based dancing company Corpus. The show will be performed outdoors.
“We wanted to offer to the people from Hearst an opportunity to get out and do something because there haven’t been many events organized since March,” said Valérie Picard, executive and artistic director at Conseil des Arts de Hearst. “All of the social distancing regulations will be in place but because this is an exterior show, we can have up to 100 people.”
For the new season, which runs from October to June, the non-profit charity has prepared over 20 events including projects that will be presented in schools.
“We touch on different artistic disciplines. There’s going to be dance, theatre, music, visual arts. We’re also going to be presenting a diversity in genres. So, for music shows we have people presenting their art from different cultures, different types (of music) either folk, rock, country, pop,” Picard said.
“It’s going to be a fun season despite the restrictions that are in place.”
All of the new shows this season will be held inside and there will be a limit of 50 people per show. Wearing masks will be mandatory indoors and hand sanitizing stations will be available. People from different households or social circles will also be asked to keep physical distancing.
Most shows will be live streamed for those who don’t feel comfortable attending in-person, Picard said.
“I’m just as excited as any other season launch. We really need to get used to our new reality because I don’t’ think we’ll be living as we were before. So, we’re very excited to put forth a full season and we hope that people will participate either in-person or online. And we look really forward to seeing people again,” she said.
Conseil’s building, Place des Arts de Hearst, was also sold to the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario last year. As the building is undergoing some renovations, the non-profit, which is now leasing the location, will be opening up its new spaces to the public this fall.
“A few changes have been made to the show hall, very minor changes, and our art gallery has been transformed completely,” Picard said. “It’s owned by the school now and we rent from them but it still remains an artistic space.”
Those interested in attending the event next week can reserve a spot for $2 online or by calling 514-569-1316.
