performing arts

Another edition of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts is approaching.

The annual event will begin on March 26th and end on April 24th.

Competitions for all ages will be held in the areas of piano, vocal, instrumental, drama and the speech arts.

President Marie Brady says anyone wanting to enter has until 12 noon on Monday, March 2nd, to register.

“People can enter using our online forms from our website,” says Brady.

“Also on the website, there are downloadable and fillable forms that they can complete, and they can email those to us, or they can put them in the post, as long as they’re postmarked by March 2nd, then we’ll accept the entries.”

The cost to enter is $10 for each solo entry, $15 for a duet and $20 for a group of three or more.

“Those fees haven’t changed since 2016. They’re really quite low. (Compared to) Thunder Bay and other areas that have festivals, we are the lowest for the entry fees.”

The festival has been showcasing local talent since the late 1930s.

It was halted during the outbreak of the Second World War and during the COVID pandemic.

The number of participants has wavered over the years.

Last year, there were over 275 performances involving almost 500 contestants.

Brady says the festival offers participants many benefits.

“First and foremost, the students get a third-party adjudication,” says Brady.

“That’s important for their growth in the arts. What can I try for next year, or what could I do better? It’s your same teacher from week to week telling you to do this or that, but it’s a third party, you know, giving you some advice.”

Brady says it also helps them build confidence when performing in front of others.

“It’s important to be able to get up in front of people and be able to perform or speak or do whatever it is. It’s a type of communication skill.”

Brady says the festival also awards bursaries and scholarships to students furthering their education in the performing arts.

The festival has seen thousands of performers, young and old, perform their talents over its existence.

For some, it has been a springboard to furthering their talents.

“We have lots of students who have gone on to study theatre arts at university and perform there.”

This year’s syllabus can be found on the festival website. You can also find the registration forms. Click here.

Festival organizers are also welcome donations to help cover costs and volunteers to assist during the events.

Anyone interested in lending a hand can contact Maureen Hakkala at 274-1034.