LIVERPOOL, QC, Dec. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament (South Shore-St. Margaret's), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Astor Theatre Society in Liverpool.
"I am pleased that our Government has provided financial support to enhance the Astor Theatre, the oldest performing arts venue in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Keddy. "Audiences living in or visiting the South Shore of Nova Scotia will soon enjoy an improved cultural experience at this venerable and historic theatre."
Funding will support an upgrade to the Astor Theatre's sound and lighting systems and the installation of digital projection equipment with a screen. Artists will have a better facility to create and present live performances, and the Theatre will be able to show more screenings of independent films. In addition to offering theatre, dance, music, film, and educational arts programs, the Astor Theatre also serves as a rehearsal facility for local arts groups and schools.
"Our Government recognizes the importance of arts and culture in our communities, which is why we are pleased to support organizations such as the Astor Theatre Society," said Minister Glover. "With these new upgrades, the Astor Theatre will continue to make a valuable cultural and economic contribution to this region of Nova Scotia."
"The Astor Theatre Society is very thankful to the Government of Canada for its contribution to this project," said Chris Ball, Manager of the Astor Theatre. "Since 1908, movies have been an important part of life in Liverpool and now, as the oldest movie theatre in Canada, we are thrilled to continue this tradition. More and more, Canadian artists are including multi-media in their performances, which meant we could not present them. Now we will be able to engage a wider and more diverse group of Canadian performers and bring them to our community. Thanks to the Canadian Heritage, we are opening a new chapter in the life of the Astor Theatre and what we can offer to our patrons."
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $50,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentations or exhibitions. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.
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SOURCE: Canadian Heritage
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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