MPP Piccini Announces Celebrate Ontario Funding to support Westben
Plenty to Celebrate at Westben’s 20th Anniversary
On Saturday July 13, MPP David Piccini announced Celebrate Ontario funding for the Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity through Music.
This is Westben’s 20th Anniversary Season and the announcement took place before a concert of Beethoven and Ravel Piano Trios Concert featuring pianist André Laplante, violinist Mayumi Seiler and cellist Colin Carr. Local chef Ron Csenar offered a gourmet lunch, wine tasting was led by wine expert, Kate More from Prince Edward County’s Huff Estates winery, and Campbellford’s Barb Hobart toasted the “musical ghosts” of Trent Hills.
Westben is a charitable arts organization committed to promoting community vibrancy and enrichment through music theatre production and education, with the vision of being a world-class centre that brings people together through music.
Known as a cultural “lighting rod” in Northumberland County, Westben is more creative than ever and continues to develop leading programming for Ontarians to enjoy.
The Celebrate Ontario grant contributes to Westben’s 2019 enhancement project “Come to Your Senses”: a seven-event initiative that seeks to deepen and broaden the unique appeal of Westben and its area to Visitors. This initiative will foster many new community partnerships, increase tourism, promote lengthier stays and increase tourist spending in the area. Offered during Westben’s six-week summer music festival at the Barn, the initiative enhances the Visitor experience with seven innovative Experiences and Concerts.
“Westben is a cultural lightening rod for our community,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “I am proud to be part of a Government that recognizes the importance of our arts community and I thank the remarkable team at Westben for continuing to offer stellar programming for Ontarians from near and far.”
Quick Facts:
According to the TREIM report, the economic impact on Trent Hills due to Westben’s Concerts at The Barn Festival is more than $700,000 annually.
In 2019, visitor spending is estimated to increase to $800,000 due to this Enhancement. For more information on Westben Centre for Connection and Creativity through Music and its various programs and initiatives, please visit: www.westben.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love