Each of Orillia’s live-music venues has carved out a niche, and the Orillia Opera House has found success in its own.
While it is known mostly for its live theatre, the Opera House also hosts comedy shows, dance competitions and live music.
The addition of newer venues in town, such as St. Paul’s Centre’s sanctuary-turned-concert hall and the Geneva Event Centre, has not hurt business at the Opera House, said general manager Wendy Fairbairn.
“Rentals have steadily increased over the past four years and we’ve seen a large increase in the number of people coming through our doors,” she said.
Four additional dance companies have booked the Opera House for their year-end recitals, she added.
Having come from the Toronto area, where music venues are not in short supply, Fairbairn has been pleased to watch Orillia’s entertainment options expand.
“I’m happy with the way Orillia is growing as a cultural hub,” she said. “The more music and the more activity that’s cultural, the more it grows.”
The venues often complement one another, too, with the Opera House box office often selling tickets for shows at St. Paul’s.
“It’s a good collaboration,” Fairbairn said.
The Opera House tries not to book acts that are similar to, or of the same genre as, those performing elsewhere in town at the same time.
She said having plenty of options for live entertainment “makes us become a more vibrant community.”
This past weekend was proof. Between the Roots North Music Festival (held at multiple venues) and the Embrace Dance Competition at the Opera House, Orillia got to show off all it has to offer. Fairbairn estimated up to 7,500 people were at the Opera House over the course of the three-day competition.
The Opera House recently announced four upcoming concerts, and they fit in with that “niche” Fairbairn was talking about, which includes tribute acts. Classic Albums Live will bring Pink Floyd's The Wall to town May 4. Elton John tribute artist Elton Rohn will be at the Opera House May 10. Lunch at Allen's (Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas) will return May 13. To close out the month, Opera House regulars The Barra MacNeils will be there May 31.
For more information about these and other shows, visit orilliaoperahouse.ca.
