Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, January 30, 2025

Vice-President Olaf chaired the meeting.

Olaf circulated a weekly visiting list for Rotarians who plan to visit Rotarian Gerry in the hospital.

This week there was no winner so the prize money will be rolled over again for the next Thursday draw. If you have a Toonie Quest West number remember your number is entered into the weekly draw whether you play or not. Make sure each week you pay your $2 and remember you can always pay in advance. The money each week is halved between the winner and the organisers - Xavier House and Corner Brook Rotary Club.

Rotarian Kathleen introduced the guest speaker Krista Hansen-robitschek the regional manager of the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre. Krista has been at the Arts and Culture Centre for 10 years and the theme of her talk was – “Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose”- The more things change the more they stay the same.  Using this, she talked around the themes of change and how some things are the same but there have also been challenges resulting in renewal.

 Krista began by looking at some of the challenges she has dealt with in the past 10 years including selecting shows that people would wish to attend, dealing with maintaining an old building, and keeping prices much the same. She acknowledged that the younger generation is pulled in many directions. However, she has a good staff and good artists putting on a variety of shows. Her job includes selecting a unique combination of local shows, touring shows and rental clients that will fill the Centre with audiences from Corner Brook and the surrounding area.

 Krista then spoke about the coming shows.  This was most interesting as she talked a little about each show in turn.  Just to list a few of the shows Trans Canada Highwaymen, Kinsmen Variety Show, Rock the Rock Vol 2, Camber Arts Oliver, Hotel California, Atlantic Jazz Night, Comedy-Llusions and Susan Aglukark.

 The Rotary Music Festival hold several sessions at the Arts and Culture Centre as do the local schools for their concerts. She continued by looking at some of the Fall highlights and the 2025 Christmas shows. She noted she is now looking at possible shows for 2027.