Last week I saw a Facebook post that I must share. It came from the Canadian Arts Coalition, which is the largest group of artists, business leaders and volunteers in Canada dedicated to keeping arts on the public agenda. According to the CAC’s website, they believe that “greater public investment in the arts is essential to Canada’s future, and that the high quality of life for which Canada is known depends on a rich, vibrant, and diverse arts and heritage community.”
The post was a thank you to all the volunteers who give their time to make arts and culture happen in our country. It said that 97 million volunteer hours were given last year –the equivalent of 51,000 full-time jobs.
That’s worth celebrating for sure, and a great portion of those volunteer hours keep us inspired, challenged, and entertained in Flin Flon – more than most communities our size in Canada, I would bet.
But you know, if we paid our arts and cultural volunteers for even part of their time, we would realize significant economic benefits for the community in the form of taxes and increased consumer spending. Another statistic shows that every dollar spent on arts and cultural industries generates $6.75 in economic growth.
So celebrate the great work done by volunteers, but think about creating jobs in the arts as well. We know the value of a healthy cultural environment in our town. Imagine what would happen if we had three full-time people working on it.
Holiday happenings
Even with Christmas fast approaching, there’s still no shortage of arts events in Flin Flon over the next two weeks.
Ham Sandwich Theatre presents “Harvey” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 at the RH Channing Auditorium. There are still some tickets available at Northern Rainbow’s End for both evening shows and matinees.
The Wood ’n’ Wire series presents a Christmas event at Johnny’s Social Club on Friday, Dec. 11. It’s called Christmas Stars and Carolling, and will feature many favourite local performers along with the chance to sing along with Johnny’s Anti-social Band. There will be no second night this time! Tickets are $15 at the Orange Toad and patrons may bring their own treats. Show time is 7:30 pm.
Red Moon Road, a roots music trio from Winnipeg, will grace the stage at Johnny’s Social Club on Saturday, Dec. 19.
The concert is the second presentation from the Flin Flon-Cranberry Portage Folk Music Society, who sold out their last show, Leaf Rapids.
Red Moon Road features Sheena Rattai on percussion and keyboard, Daniel Jordan on guitar and mandolin and Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner – yes, they are both named Daniel – on mandolin, banjo, guitar and keyboard, with all three providing vocal harmonies.
The band delivers something more than your usual concert. They are super story-tellers with “wonderfully endearing personalities,” who bridge the gap between performer and audience and leave people feeling moved and just a little happier.
That sounds like a good thing, right before Christmas. Tickets are $20, available at the Orange Toad. Show time is 7 pm. Audience members for Red Moon Rising are invited to bring their own treats to the concert.
