City of Powell River councillors were provided an overview of qathet Festival of the Performing Arts and its importance to the community.
At the January 21 committee of the whole meeting, festival representative Cathy Korolek said organizers were appreciative of city council’s continuing support of the oldest cultural event in the region, through qathet Arts Council and its grant-in-aid program.
Pointing to the region being named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2004, Korolek said past festival organizing committee chair Joyce Carlson was at a national community newspaper convention in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, just before the Rotary Club of Powell River became the supporter of the festival. Korolek said the keynote speaker at the convention was deputy prime minister and minister of Canadian heritage Sheila Copps.
“The minister spoke about a new program called Cultural Capitals of Canada, and while listening, Carlson said to herself: ‘that describes Powell River perfectly,’” said Korolek. “When she [Carlson] returned, she met with mayor Stewart Alsgard, who set up a committee to do the hard work of submitting an application. It was successful and Powell River was awarded $250,000, along with the designation.”
Korolek said that during 2004, the festival celebrated its 60th anniversary and was allocated $20,000 to commemorate it.
“With the funds, the festival committee invited back several alumni to perform, including pianist Daniel Chow, and speech arts participant Tom Marcaccini, who became a drama teacher,” said Korolek. “All their expenses were covered as they were living as far away as Toronto.
“Other cultural organizations shared in the funding, including Powell River Academy of Music, which was celebrating a 40th anniversary. Also, a cultural master plan was put together for the city.”
According to Korolek, in 2019, to celebrate its 75th anniversary, a special concert was held to mark the occasion. Past performers were invited to return to the stage, including a group of cellists comprised of PRISMA founder Arthur Arnold, then-MLA Nicholas Simons, and Eli Schweitzer, a regular festival participant who was recommended several times to the Performing Arts BC provincial festival, including the one Powell River hosted in 2015, said Korolek.
“The concert emcee was former mayor Stewart Alsgard, who played piano in the first festival, and with the school band, later,” added Korolek. “In 2024, to mark its 80th anniversary, the festival was honoured to partner with PRISMA to hold another special concert. The Cuore Piano Trio from Poland impressed the audience with their musical abilities.”
Korolek said the organizing committee is working on the 2025 festival, which takes place from February 26 to March 8, when it concludes with the grand concert.
“Registration is underway and we are anticipating another successful event for our community,” said Korolek. “Once again, thank you very much for your continued support of qathet Festival of the Performing Arts.”
Mayor Ron Woznow said all the work that Rotary and the festival organizing committee has done to promote cultural activities is wonderful.
Councillor Rob Southcott offered his thanks, indicating that he was on the festival stage many times when he was a kid, and so were his nephews and his son.
“It’s one of these pieces of glue that holds this amazingly rich cultural community together,” said Southcott. “It’s amazing that it has gone on for so long.
“When I was first involved, it was decades old. I had the impression back then of the heritage. That is an amazing gift for young people.”
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