Budget restraints mean a focus on local artists this season, but that doesn't mean a decrease in quality

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As summer rolls in, school rolls out, and everyone begins to find entertainment to fill their free-time, the Riverview Arts Centre might have just what you're looking for.

Providing everything from fiddlers to rock bands and all in between, the Riverview Arts Centre has a full schedule for the 2008/09 year.

The Riverview Arts Centre (RAC) is a place where local and non-local artists come to entertain the Riverview community and surrounding areas.

"The RAC is more than just a theatre," explains Ivan Hicks, president of the centre. He says that the centre has a full-schedule planned for the 2008/09 season but budget restraints have caused a few changes for this season.

"Budgets with arts centres, of course, are a major thing," he points out. "We have had some budgets restraints this past year and because of this our focus on this year is going to be more on Atlantic artists and shows."

"At the RAC, no matter what is going on we all agree on one thing; we're interested in quality entertainment rather than quantity," he says. "Therefore, we are having fewer shows this season compared to last, but more interesting varieties and more reasonable admission."

Ivan explains that the great thing about Riverview is that they certainly support local talent.

"Our focus this year on eastern Canadian artists and shows should bring more people through our doors to the shows," he says. "We've had some great shows this past season, some with good audiences and some with poor audiences, but that happens in the beginning of arts centres anyway.

"There's always some good and some bad. But we're trying our best to get a variety of artists so we get a variety of audiences, too. It's just a matter of getting the word out there."

This upcoming season, the RAC will have new shows and some returnee artists from last season.

"We're really excited about this season," Ivan says. "We have country artists, comedians, public speakers, dramas, and so much more booked." Ivan explains that the Miramichi Kitchen Party is booked again for this year.

"It was a great success last year, even though it took place during a snow storm, and it's really good to have it back again this year."

Other artists booked are Harbour Lights, a three-piece trio, along with Isaac and Blewitt; Ruth Schiller and the Hillsborough Alumni choir; Codiac Community Band, who will be presenting a Christmas concert; CBC's Stan Carew; Elora Festival Singers, a choral group from Ontario; and the Super Fiddler Show, celebrating their 20th anniversary.

"We're still finalizing everything, but brochures should be ready by early September," explains Ivan. "We're really excited about this season, and we want our community to be excited and get involved. The only way an Arts Centre like the RAC can work is when it's supported by its community."

Anyone interested in volunteering in any way to support the centre, or in booking the RAC for the 2008/09 season, you can contact Brad Lane at 386-6170, or Ivan at 386-2996.