Big acts help community venues thrive

Dartmouth is playing host to some big entertainment this summer.

On July 31 rock legends Journey will be playing at Alderney Landing’s outdoor waterfront stage.

This is the biggest show to date at Alderney Landing.

“The volunteer board of directors and staff are thrilled to land this show,” said Bea McGregor, executive director of Alderney Landing. “I’m looking forward to hosting the event and having the promoters Evenko say, let’s do this again and who can we bring next to Alderney Landing, and that working with the staff at Alderney Landing was seamless. And to hear once again from artists who say we loved playing for Dartmouth, it was an electric sold out crowd with wonderful hospitality and a fantastic stage overlooking the harbour.”

McGregor said it is important for Alderney Landing to bring in larger successful events that are ticketed, in order to support all the free community cultural programming that they deliver through the year in their theatre, market, gallery and outdoor venues.

“If this is the end result, Alderney Landing has an opportunity to bring in even more shows. What do we require? People to come out to the show. This is great for the entire community.”

Alderney Landing is a community cultural facility that supports the people of Dartmouth. Last year, the small team of staff and more than 500 volunteers hosted 522 events, engaging 300,000 people, that helped over 140 charities raise funds. The Farmer’s Market hired 200 local musicians and incubated 12 new businesses now thriving in HRM.

Big events like Journey help them do their work year round, said McGregor.

“Evenko is one of the biggest promoters east of Montreal. There are very few local promoters in the industry that will bring in large shows, so it is imperative that the public come out to support this show at Alderney Landing. Lets show the promoters that if they bring it to Dartmouth, we will attend.”

Alderney Landing has delivered other events this summer that have proven it is a professional gathering place. McGregor hopes that Journey will be another success for them.

“We are fortunate to have excellent partners in the event industry that deliver terrific events, such as the July 18 Bastid’s BBQ and the upcoming Kiwanis Mother Goose Festival on Aug. 1, Natal Day’s Bell Aliant Natal Day Festival Concert featuring David Myles, Mo, Kenny, Gary Beals and Kim Harris also on Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m.”

And this year the Dutch Mason Blues Festival is back in Dartmouth.

“We are stoked to have the Dutch Mason Blues Festival come back to Alderney Landing, the birth place of this festival. The Friday, Aug. 7 lineup includes The Legendary Powder Blues, Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, Angel Forrest and Charlie A’Court. On Saturday, Aug. 8 there will be a live in concert by Rick Vito and the Myles Goodwin Band, Matt Minglewood and Christine Campbell. On Sunday, Aug. 9 Janiva Magness, Tinley Ellis, Johnny Cox and John Campbelljohn are just a few more of the great performers this year. And RV parking is now accommodated by Kings Wharf.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt and James Cotton will be appearing at the Sportsplex on Aug. 8.

A full schedule can be found online at dutchmason.com/festival

From Aug. 19 to the 23 Canada’s only multi-arts festival featuring culturally-diverse and aboriginal artists will take place at Alderney Landing.

“It is called the Prismatic Arts Festival and there will be many spectacular performances in theatre, dance, music, spoken word, visual arts and media arts by artists from across Canada.”

Over the years, Journey has earned multiple accolades, including 19 Top 40 singles; producing 25 Gold and Platinum albums and receiving a Diamond certification for its Greatest Hits album, marking U.S. sales in excess of 15 million. In 2011, they drew nearly a million fans to their Eclipse World Tour and were awarded the prestigious Legend Of Live Award at the Billboard Touring Awards in honour of their significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business and in acknowledgement of their commitment to the fans and the art of performing live.

Tickets for the band, whose major hits include Don’t Stop Believin’, Separate Ways and Open Arms, are on sale for $75.50 at the Alderney Landing box office, or at Ticketpro.ca at 1-888-311-9090.