Plans are in the works to bring a series of classical music concerts to Char’s Landing through membership subscriptions and with the help of a renowned impresario.
George Zukerman is a Canadian bassoonist based in White Rock who is dedicated to helping small communities organize classical concert series. Zukerman is currently the artistic director of the White Rock Concert Series that he founded in 1956.
After meeting with Char Patterson, Zukerman was sure that Char’s Landing was the perfect venue to deliver classical concerts to the Alberni Valley.
“Classical music is alive and well and can come to Port Alberni. In fact, in the ’70’s and ’80’s there was a very active overture concert society here in town, it had 600 subscribers,” Zukerman said.
Through memberships, subscribers will have the chance to attend at least three classical concerts a year at Char’s of world-class calibre.
Zukerman said the program could feature well-known Canadian artists such as The Bergmann Piano duo, The Borealis String Quartet, Janelle and Friends, The Canadian Guitar Quartet, Ian Parker and André Laplante and The Poulenc Wind Trio, among others.
Char’s Landing has a capacity of 150 and Zukerman thinks it will easily sell that many memberships in the first year.
“Chars Landing is absolutely perfect for such a thing,” Zukerman said. “It’s a perfect venue, it’s an achievable target...and it’s getting known as a place in town where concerts can and should be held.”
Zukerman and Patterson met through members of the Alberni Arts Council.
“They’ve come here to propose something that could save Char’s,” Patterson said. “It will give me a dedicated, committed audience who will pre-pay for three concerts of world class calibre.”
Patterson plans to hold a public meeting in early September to highlight details for the classical concert series.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com