IN THIS ISSUE

Pacific Contact - Online – Register Now!
Dates for Pacific Contact 2009 Announced
Congrats to Pacific Contact Early Bird Winner
Pre-Conference International Presenters Day
Showcase Schedule
In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking
Hilton Hotel at Metrotown - Official Hotel & Conference Centre
Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities
2008 Arts On Tour Website Directory Launched
Job Postings
Member News
Industry News

Pacific Contact 2008 – Register Now! – Just a month from now we’re back for the 32 nd annual Pacific Contact from Friday March 28th to Sunday, March 30th in Vancouver. Thursday, March 27th will be a professional development day with international presenters (see next item). Online Registration and other conference information is available at http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/index.html. Don’t delay, register today!

Dates for 2009 Pacific Contact will be March 27-29th, 2009 at the Hilton Metrotown, Shadbolt Centre For The Arts and Michael J Fox Theatre. Showcase Applications will be available online beginning June 1st, 2008 with a September 15th, 2008 deadline.

Early Bird Draw Winner - Congrats to Lawrie Seligman of Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre, Spruce Grove, Alberta who wins 2 nights free accommodation during Pacific Contact at the conference hotel the Hilton Vancouver–Metrotown.

Pre-Conference - International Presenters Network Day - It is with great pleasure that the BC Touring Council announces a pre-conference day on Thursday, March 27th with distinguished international presenters from Australia, the UK and the United States in a day long event that is focused on bridging gaps, broadening opportunities and building relationships in International performing arts touring. Made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Heritage Trade Routes Program this day-long networking event will be of benefit to all Pacific Contact delegates whether you are an artist, agent, manager or presenter. The expertise and knowledge of our guests from away are diverse. They book Canadian artists in their seasons and series, are engaged in successful and innovative booking and touring programs and are active change agents in their respective communities. Space is limited. Register online at the following link: http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/pdi-detailed.html

Showcase Schedules – and fabulous line-up can be found at the following links
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/mainstage-schedule.html
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/studio-schedule.html

In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking - Networking is one of the greatest opportunities and benefits of attending Pacific Contact. Sometimes it may be on the bus to a showcase or in a workshop or during a meal. Check the schedule At A Glance and get ready for a fun-filled conference http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/pre_schedule.html

In-Conference Workshop - Real-Time In-Time – Saturday March 29th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Respecting your valuable time, BCTC has made a number of changes this year to Pacific Contact. Within a shorter more intensive conference we are experimenting with a new format for delivery of professional development and networking with a new session based on a recent US conference event called The Mosh-Pit. During this 90-minute session conference delegates will have an opportunity to have that all-important key issue or concern you have been longing to hear about or talk about put on the conference tables. Yes, over 90 minutes and with as many as 20 topics. For more details see http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/real-time.html

The Hilton Conference Hotel has kindly extended the BCTC hotel block deadline to Friday, February 29th. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you can book online or call and book your reservation. After Friday, February 29th the hotel will release the rooms we have asked to hold and you will not be able to book at the BCTC rates, IF you can even get a room. The hotel does sell-out of rooms regularly. Here’s the link for information and booking http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/hotel.html

Program Guide Advertising is a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization during Pacific Contact. Final Deadline for advertising copy is March 3rd. Book online at:
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/advertising.html

Sponsorship: Pacific Contact offers a great opportunity to promote and profile your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. By sponsoring Pacific Contact, you make a genuine contribution. Your sponsorship supports a growing regional network of performing arts professionals. A variety of sponsorships are available including coffee breaks, hospitality events including the Awards Dinner and more. Please sign on now at http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2008/sponsorship.html

2008 ArtsOnTour Website Directory Launched – over 300 artist and agency listings with full descriptions, photos, contact information and links. www.artsontour.com

Artists/Agent Members - Have you taken advantage of listing in ArtsOnTour? Your BCTC membership includes a free listing on the website and you can update information year-round. This year the basic listing includes use of photos/logos and no extra charge. The site looks fantastic! Go on, check it out and if you haven’t taken advantage of this member service don’t delay! www.artsontour.com

Jobs - Check the BCTC website for new job postings http://www.bctouring.org/job-opportunities/index.html

MEMBER NEWS

Wilson Durward Retires - After 11 years with the Evergreen Cultural Centre, performing arts manager Wilson Durward will retire at the end of this month. For Evergreen, Wilson programmed a total of eight complete seasons. He was one of the instrumental players in producing the Family Series by recognizing the need for theatre for young audiences. He brought out heavy-weight groups such as musica intima, Dal Richards, Ballet Jorgen, Ballet British Columbia, and some impressive solo artists like Lorne Elliott, Al Simmons, Todd Butler, Chrystal Pite and Margie Gillis to name a few. A long-time member of BCTC, Wilson served on the Board of Directors for BCTC and was active in committee work. On behalf of staff, board and all the members of BCTC we wish Wilson all the best for the future.

Bruce Walkey - BCTC board member representing the North Central region and School District 57 in Prince George has retired. BCTC wishes Bruce all the best in his future endeavours.

BCTC board member Linda Tanaka joins the team of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Linda has worked in the "folk and roots" music industry for the past twenty-five years. She has presented concerts throughout the interior of British Columbia and is the founder of the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival. In her role as artistic director at Salmon Arm, her vision took the festival from a small indoor event to a multi-staged cultural event that gained national prominence. Linda looks forward to her new role as interim artistic director and is excited to be a part of the Vancouver Folk Festival and its rich history. The Festival will soon be announcing its search for a permanent artistic director, replacing Dugg Simpson, who held that post for 12 years. Mr. Simpson's contract ended earlier this year.

BCTC Board member Debora Johns has said farewell after six years as Executive Director of the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, B.C. During her tenure as executive director she helped the facility grow from an empty building with a dream to a thriving, creative, vital facility supported by its community.

INDUSTRY NEWS

BC Budget Speech – announced good news for Arts & Culture sector providing for $105 million for arts & culture projects and in honour of the 150th birthday as a province the creation of a new $150 million BC150 Cultural Fund that will generate approximately $8 million a year. The BC Arts Council, in its official role, will advise government on how this money can best be used to support initiatives in every community - from our smallest communities to our largest cities. Full budget speech can be viewed at http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2008/speech/

Attention Artists!
Saskatchewan Showcase of the Arts 2008 - Calls for Application to Showcase October 30 November 2, 2008, Mae Wilson Theatre, Moose Jaw. Guidelines and an application form are available on the website. For further information or to access the application forms, please refer to the OSAC website at www.osac.sk.ca or contact Kevin Korchinski, Acting Executive Director / Performing Arts Coordinator, 306 - 586-1220 or kevin@osac.sk.ca.
Application deadline is May 2, 2008

Arts Northwest - The deadline for the combined Juried Showcase and Northwest on Tour juried book is approaching quickly. Applications are due Thursday March 6th. The 2008 Juried Showcase will take place at the Northwest Booking Conference October 13-16, 2008 in Eugene, Oregon. Applications are on line at our website http://www.artsnw.org.

CINARS 2008: Call for Showcases Applications - multidisciplinary arts, dance, classical music, world music and theatre, submit your applications now to be part of the CINARS 2008 official programming! Deadline: March 1, 2008. http://www.cinars.org/

Check out the list of contact event dates and deadlines on the BCTC website at http://www.bctouring.org/helpful-links/contact-events.html

Canada Council’s Action Plan 2008-11 is now available online. The Plan describes the program and operational strategies the Council will pursue in the next three years and budgetary information for the upcoming fiscal year (2008-09). The Action Plan, the Strategic Plan and information about the consultations are available on our web site at www.canadacouncil.ca.

JUNO AWARDS COMING TO VANCOUVER IN 2009! - Music BC, the Vancouver Juno Awards Host Organization, has been working hard with the Vancouver Host Committee, the Mayor's office, and the Province of BC, to bring this star-studded event to Vancouver . http://www.junoawards.ca/PDF/20080212.pdf

CITT News - The January-February issue of STAGEWORKS is now available at
http://www.citt.org/newsletter/2008-01.pdf

Are the arts elitist? New report shows that cultural experiences are more important than demographic factors - http://www.hillstrategies.com

Joanna Maratta, Executive Director
BC Touring Council
PO Box 547
Nelson, BC V1L 5R3
T. 250-352-0021 F. 250-352-0027
www.bctouring.org
Pacific Contact 2008 - March 28 - 30, 2008