Ballet and blueberry jam, “Dirty Catfish” and Abba – the Flin Flon Arts Council has wide-ranging plans for its next season.
Some of the events will be different from traditional Flin Flon entertainment, but Crystal Kolt, cultural coordinator for the Flin Flon Arts Council (FFAC) is confident that there will be interest in the group’s fresh season slate.
“We were teasing each other that our motto should be, ‘Just trust us!’” she said.
“We actually might use that. We’ll always try to bring in something great.”
In putting together the new season, the council looked to the past season and to the future, considering what worked with last year’s performances and what could still grow in Flin Flon.
“With so many things happening in the community, we’re trying to figure out what’s the best way of making people feel like their money is being well spent,” said Kolt.
“This little office is humming all the time with activities and events that are happening here. We’re really proud of that.”
“We’ve had some really grand adventures, I would say, throughout the year.”
One of the things Kolt sees as successful was changing how the group uses the R.H. Channing Auditorium, utilizing a less formal, cabaret-style feel instead of setting up bleachers for events. That approach was used at Arts Council events last season, including at the performance by the Derina Harvey Band on Feb. 22.
“We’ve opened it up so it’s more of a cabaret and dance floor event, more of a community gathering rather than a sit-down and watch event.”
Kolt also voiced her satisfaction with the Ham Sandwich theatre troupe, which held two performances last season and is scheduled for two more in the next year.
“They pulled out all the stops with their shows this year as well. They have that recipe for success and we’re happy to help,” she said.
The FFAC has planned eight different shows throughout late 2017 and 2018. The acts range from a musical tribute to country maven Patsy Cline to a performance by the Toronto-based Ballet Jörgen, to musical theatre to brass bands to the group’s annual Christmas show.
Arguably the most anticipated event on the slate, however, is the Flin Flon Community Choir’s upcoming performance of Mamma Mia!, which will take place at the R.H. Channing Auditorium on May 10, 11 and 12. The announcement of the musical was made on May 5 after La Grande Opéra, just days after the council acquired permission to perform the show.
“We’ve already had people calling us to see when they can get tickets,” said Kolt. Tickets for the show don’t go on sale until November.
The performance of Mamma Mia! in Flin Flon is almost two decades in the making. Kolt had unsuccessfully pursued the rights to perform the musical several times over the years.
“We drive back and forth to Winnipeg. The last three hours or so, I get really tired. That’s when I put on my Mamma Mia! CD on. I had to pull over onto the side of the highway because I burst into tears, going, ‘It’s not fair! We’ll do such a good job with it!’” she said.
Kolt had originally planned to perform The Phantom of the Opera and made an online application to earn the right to perform the show. When the group was unable to get the rights, Kolt saw a recommendation for another show to apply for – Mamma Mia!.
Minutes after sending in an application on a sudden whim, Kolt had the rights.
“I just accidentally saw it at the right moment, it became open to the world at that moment. It’s honestly like a miracle. I was so surprised,” she said.
“I just yelled out, ‘Oh my God. Is this for real? Is this happening?’”
In the meantime, Kolt hopes to expand the Arts Council further in the future – including adding more programming and potentially making Flin Flon’s Culture Days the country’s largest Culture Days event.
“We’re always looking for more money – we need it,” said Kolt.
“That helps keep us support the arts and bring in new productions.”
