CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The staff at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown is working on potential programming for the summer.
It goes without saying things won’t look like they normally do.
There is no bringing back the Charlottetown Festival for 2020 but ideas are being bounced around as to what is possible, while adhering to public health restrictions.
“There’s a few projects being bandied around a bit but it’s far too soon to speak to any of them," said Fraser McCallum, communications manager for the centre.
The festival would normally see about 100,000 people go through the building during the course of the season, but everything changed in mid-March and not long after that all of the planned programming got thrown out the window.
However, McCallum thinks there will be some announcements in the next week or two about what could go forward.
“There is talk about doing something with Anne (but) what shape it would take and whether it’s a small or large (production) is just too early to say.’’
- Fraser McCallum
The centre is giving some thought to hosting an open-air concert series on the outdoor stage where the Young Company typically performs.
“We’ve been talking a little bit about ... singer-songwriter thing twice a week around happy hour with some live music. We’re going through the due diligence right now of exploring what we can do. We’ve got staff and we’ve got time and support."
There have been a variety of rumours floating on social media the past few weeks of a production involving Anne of Green Gables: The Musical.
The rumours have suggested everything from holding some type of one-off show on the stage at the Brackley Drive-In and broadcasting it on the big screens or a similar type arrangement at the Charlottetown Event Grounds.
McCallum wouldn’t comment on those specific rumours but he didn’t rule out something could be in the works.
“There is talk about doing something with Anne (but) what shape it would take and whether it’s a small or large (production) is just too early to say."
Regardless, McCallum said the centre is very eager to see what is possible.
“I’m really curious to see what the legacy (from this year) is and maybe even what sticks going forward."
Meanwhile, other parts of the centre are up and running.
The art gallery recently reopened and art camps are scheduled for July and August and are filling up.
