Like many businesses, the live performance industry continues to take a hard hit in light of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has left many entertainment venues in the dark, including ‘The Centre’ in Dryden.

That’s why the Dryden Entertainment Series will be participating in ‘Light Up Live’ tonight, as they light up the centre in red to raise awareness to the live performance industry.

DES Chair Wendy Wiedenhoft was a gust on the CKDR morning show and explains how the initiative was started.

“This initiative was started by a grassroots organization that was formed to support Canadian live event workers, who are out of work because of COVID-19. It’s a huge industry with a lot of people who make live performances happen. The industry is really appreciative of the support they received from both the government and the public while all of this has been going on. But they really need the assistance to continue because once the pandemic s over, we want the show to go on. So they need to receive in order to stay in business.”

The atrium of ‘The Centre’ will be lit up in red to bring awareness to this initiative from 8-9 p.m tonight.

As a result of COVID-19 the DES has postponed their first three concerts into next season and the rest of the performances remain on hold.

Wiedenhoft says they hopes by participating, it will bring awareness of how the arts have been affected in our community.

“I think by supporting initiatives like this and others it lets our members of parliament know that we are supportive of the arts. It’s such an important part of our culture, not only in Dryden but right across our country. We want to make sure our elected officials understand how much our communities appreciate the arts and want them to continue.”

Wiedenhoft notes they have a loyal DES audience that wants to live performances return to the community, when it’s safe to do so.

If live performances become possible at some point, the DES will not sell season subscriptions but rather tickets on a show by show basis.

Although many things are uncertain with COVID-19 restrictions, DES asks their audience to stay tuned for updates throughout the year.

You can listen to the full interview with Wendy Wiedenhoft below.