Rural Routes series to bring entertainment to small-town P.E.I.

There will soon be more cultural performances in rural communities across Prince Edward Island year round.

The new Rural Routes concert series will debut in late September with performances by Canadian magician Eric Leclerc.

With money from Canadian Heritage, the Association of Rural Community Halls on P.E.I. teamed up with the Atlantic Presenters Association for the pilot project.

Inspired by Festival of Small Halls

Tanya Gallant of Cameleon Productions said the group was inspired by the popular Festival of Small Halls that takes place on P.E.I. in the summer.

It really creates an excitement and a pride and an appreciation for arts and culture, and they just want to see more of that in the communities year round.– Tanya Gallant

"When the Festival of Small Halls comes to town, it really creates an excitement and a pride and an appreciation for arts and culture, and they just want to see more of that in the communities year round," she said on CBC's Mainstreet.

The focus on Rural Routes will be to teach the venues how to program their own shows, Gallant said. That could include ticketing, negotiating with artists, and networking with presenters from other provinces.

It's all with the goal of bringing more acts to rural communities.

First performance Sept. 30

Leclerc will perform Sept. 30 at Le Bayou at Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean, Oct. 1 at the Milton Community Hall, Oct. 2 in Abram Village and in Deblois, and on Oct. 3 at the St. Peter's Courthouse theatre.

There are no other artists or performances booked at this time, but Gallant said she expects more will be announced in the coming weeks.

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