A sampling of Sunday’s performances included a capella, improvisational comedy, a Bollywood dance crew and some good ol’ rock n’ roll. Improv troupe The Freudian Slips enjoyed their first experience of the new stage.
“There’s a lot of space and also a lot of seats available, which I don’t think I’ve come across,” says Taylor Shewchuk, one of the Slips. “That opens up some possibilities.”
“I’ve only played inside the Effie Arts Collective, so to be playing in a much bigger theater is amazing,” explains Blake Hogg, another Slip.
Aaron Shufletoski, who hosted the evening’s festivities, owns Effie Arts Collective. He is happy to see the new venue open and hopes it will help build the audience base for shows in the city.
“Sometimes it seems like Kamloops is the ‘I have to work tomorrow’ town. It’s very hard to get out and enjoy [the arts]”, says Sufletoski. “There are a lot of other things going on in Kamloops, like the outdoors or sports, so anyone who loves the arts should go and buy tickets to shows, no matter where or what they are. Experience new things. Don’t wait until your favorite band comes to town — go see new bands, go see that game you know nothing about.”
With the 27th annual Kamloops Film Festival kicking off later this week, audiences won’t get to see the scene in action until Thursday afternoon (March 2).
