Annual Victoria Music Festival Sings The Blues!
Aug 26, 2010
(News Release) VICTORIA – With no additional cash sponsorships, the Vancouver Island Blues Bash will be cancelled in 2011!
The Victoria Jazz Society is reaching out to the Victoria business community and the general public in search of potential sponsorship and donations for the Vancouver Island Blues Bash. With the current changes to the application criteria for the B.C. Government’s “Community Gaming Grant”, the VJS and its programs will not qualify for any future funding. The Vancouver Island Blues Bash will face its final year in 2010 with no ongoing corporate cash sponsorships and this anticipated loss of financial support from the Provincial Government.
Current supporters of the 16th Annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash (Sept 4-6) include government grantors: Canadian Heritage, Province of British Columbia (Community Gaming Grant), The City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Corporate sponsors include: Times Colonist, 100.3 The “Q”, Arbutus RV & Marine Sales LTD., Hotel Grand Pacific, Pacific Audio Works and Big Rock Brewery.
Darryl Mar, Executive/Artistic Director of the Victoria Jazz Society states “The reality is that the 2010 festival will be the last for the Vancouver Island Blues Bash without a significant cash sponsorship for next year’s festival. With the anticipated loss of funding in future years from the province’s Community Gaming Grant and the lack of cash sponsorships, the Vancouver Island Blues Bash will be facing a funding deficit of $15,000 for the 2011 festival. As the Vancouver Island Blues Bash breaks even in a good year, cancelling this festival in the future is the only viable alternative if cash sponsorships cannot be secured.”
With the demise of many festivals and arts events province-wide, the Victoria Jazz Society believes that it is important to sustain this favorite event of many Victorians and visitors to our city, as it is the longest running festival on Vancouver Island which presents blues in all its forms in a multi-day format. Over 15,000 people attend the Vancouver Island Blues Bash annually.
The VJS will be holding a fundraising effort to replace the anticipated $15,000 loss prior to the festival, by looking for corporate sponsors as well as donations from individuals to sustain current levels of programming for the 2011 Vancouver Island Blues Bash.
For further information about possible sponsorships please contact the VJS at 250-388-4423.