A second set of artists are taking the stage for Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre鈥檚 FOCUS online series.
The debut series garnered more than 1,200 viewers and rave reviews Jan. 21-24.
The first show featured the talents of Jodie B, Charlotte Backman, Manfred Harter and classic rock duo The Raz.
鈥淲e were so excited for episode one! It surpassed all our viewership expectations,鈥� VDPAC marketing director and recording crew member Camillia Courts said. 鈥淭here were people who tuned in from all over Canada, the U.S., Europe and China as well as all over the North Okanagan.鈥�
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The next episode, Feb. 4-7, features Shaughnessy, Gord Wilson, Melina Schein and Gerry Scholomenko and Neil Fraser.
The FOCUS series is an online extension of VDPAC鈥檚 live, onstage SPOTLIGHT season presentations streaming for free.
The bi-weekly series is comprised of seven, 15 to 25-minute episodes to introduce Okanagan audiences to VDPAC鈥檚 new online programming and showcase the region鈥檚 rich established, mid-career and emerging talent.
Twenty-two performing artists will be featured in this first FOCUS series, including the rockabilly band Dixie Fried Hep Katz, the Maritime Kitchen Party, fashion designer Jill Setah, ballroom dancers Heather Stranks and Jens Goerner, singer-songwriter Justin Moore, new-wave artist HaidenLaird, popular area band Chipko Jones and more.
鈥淭his is the first time the Performing Arts Centre has produced original online content,鈥� Courts said. 鈥淎nd we are thrilled to be able now to give performing artists in the Okanagan Valley a worldwide platform with a high-quality presentation that truly represents their talent. Who knows where it might lead?鈥�
Hosted by Beach Radio鈥檚 Brian Martin, the initial FOCUS Online Series features high-quality HD video, digital sound and technical production that showcases artists in the best possible light. Episodes are kept to accessible running times to allow online viewers multiple opportunities over each episode鈥檚 four-day viewing window. Artists are pre-recorded in the newly-renovated and upgraded MFH Studio or onstage in safety first closed sessions at the Performing Arts Centre, with post-production conducted in-house.
Artists are paid performance fees from VDPAC鈥檚 annual presenting grants and supplemental government funding received to help support artists through COVID-19鈥檚 prolonged shutdown of touring and live concerts.
There is no admission fee for the series, however, online audiences have the option to donate to help support the continued development of online programming.
FOCUS series streaming episodes are available through links posted on VDPAC鈥檚 Ticket Seller box office website at and on Facebook and Instagram.
鈥淲e need to keep our artists and audiences engaged and connected for the eventual return of live performances,鈥� VDPAC鈥檚 executive director Jim Harding said. 鈥淏ut we are also looking to continue developing our online programming to complement our live SPOTLIGHT performances and to make these opportunities available to other independent and established artists in the region. We now have the recording and live-streaming technical resources and opportunity to do so, and the FOCUS Online Series has already begun to generate that interest.鈥�
鈥淓ach FOCUS episode will offer a variety but equally engaging selection of artists,鈥� Courts said. 鈥淲e invite everybody to join us online and help celebrate the artists of the Okanagan Valley.鈥�
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