ESTEVAN — Living Room Live recitals are going to return to Estevan in 2024.
One of the public's favourite classical musical concert programs will once again be held at Creighton Lodge, which allows for a great acoustic and festive but at the same time intimate atmosphere.
While many details are still to be finalized, Nicola Davies, the creator of the Living Room Live concert format, confirmed that the events are coming back. And as they are working things out, they are also hosting a donation drive.
"Before we rebuild tour routes, we need to rebuild funding, so with a lot of plans, timelines and enthusiasm behind us, we are now having a donation drive from May 2 to 13," Davies said in an email to concertgoers. "Reaching our goal of $5,000 will make a significant contribution towards creating and managing nine-plus tours on three-plus routes for fall 2024.
“It will also help fund our application for charitable status so that we are able to offer tax receipts in future. All our spring 2020 artists are excited to try for tour version 2. We're ready to make this happen."
Living Room Live tours follow three routes – southern B.C., northern B.C. and Manitoba-Saskatchewan, on which performers stop in various communities and put on classical concerts on smaller stages. Shirley Andrist of Estevan used to help with organizing local events, but with some recent changes in her life, she announced that Linda Murphy, who helped with concerts before, will now take over the duties when it comes to Living Room Live.
"I certainly like the quality of the music, and I like the classical music aspect. Also, I like the intimacy, [the connection] that develops between the performer and the audience. I really appreciate that," Murphy shared. "It's like a musical date with the performers, and their music choices we probably wouldn't otherwise be able to encounter.
"Another reason why I agreed to come on with Shirley was that Creighton Lodge agreed to be the venue for this. And it's just such a nice pairing; very comfortable, the chairs are comfy, it's an intimate setting and the residents there, they're so kind to share their home with us, share their living room. I just think it's very generous of them. And then they can come in and be part of it if they choose," she added.
Murphy noted that they will probably still work hand in hand with Andrist, and they are looking forward to the Living Room Live getting back on the road and coming to Estevan.
"I do hope that you will plan to support these classical recitals in Estevan and please spread the word for anyone else who is not on our list. Hope to see each and every one of you in 2024," Andrist said in her email.
Andrist noted that once it gets closer to the time of the tour, they would also need a few Living Room Live helpers to set up the chairs in Creighton Lodge, provide something for receptions that follow concerts and provide a bed and breakfast for the performer the day of the event.
If someone wants to be added to the Living Room Live Estevan list for the latest updates, they can contact Murphy at [email protected] or Andrist at [email protected].
For more information about the project or to donate to the drive, visit Living Room Live’s website at livingroomlive.ca/donate.
