Passion8 Magazine September 2013 | Page 54

LIVE saw a good number of theatre performances in Toronto, and went to New York to see “Stomp” and “In the Heights”. In recent years, I haven’t been able to see as many live shows as I like because of time and money. Luckily, I’m still able to see at least one or two live shows a year at minimum. Here are eight reas ons why live entertainment is important. NOTHING COMPARES TO 8 Brings Communities/ Campuses together Local festivals such as Sunfest and the Most of the concerts I’ve been to in my Home County Music and Art Festival are major life have been with my family. Sure, maybe events in London, Ontario. The city is also home they all went just so I could see an artist I to music venues from the APK to Budweiser enjoy, but they all enjoyed the performer Gardens and the Grand Theatre. Of after seeing them live. Seeing live course, this is only a few of the performances in theatre also add “It’s many events and venues in to the memories I share with London, but each of them my family. hard to imagine life brings the community without live entertainment. It’s also great to find out together to celebrate arts and entertainment. Outlets your friend likes a band From music concerts to for local, Canadian, and and/or singer that you international artists are enjoy. Why not go to a theatre, the industry is very concert together? Even provided as well. if he or she is not familiar important and enjoyable University, college, and with who or what you high school campuses are are planning to see, it’s a on all levels.” a great source of performing great way to introduce him arts as well. In addition to or her to new artists or plays. - Emily Stewart annual school plays, there are You also get to make great several concerts and coffee houses memories with each other. to showcase talented students. 6 Friend& AND/ Family Outings Live performances took up a large part of my life. In particular, much of my youth and adolescent years consisted of attending concerts in London. I also 7 Photos by Jayme Campbell New Perspective on Familiar Works There are several plays and musicals written inspired by novels, films, and other media. When Western University staged “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, it provided a different and entertaining perspective on the film of the same name. I also saw the musical adaptation of “Dirty Dancing” and ended up enjoying it more than the original film. 5 Photographs and Memorabilia Alright, perhaps taking pictures is not allowed for theatre. In the case of concerts, it’s a great moment to capture photos. Some of them (okay, maybe most of them) might be blurry and hard to see, but they are a reminder of who you have seen in concert. Purchasing items available at merchandise stands and theatre stores provide just as much benefits. Whether it’s a t-shirt, glow stick, or program book, you end up with a tangible item to bring home. Even the ticket you purchased will bring back nostalgia. With the difference in aesthetics, live theatre provides an alternative perspective on familiar works in other mediums. Watching others take on the roles of beloved characters provides an opportunity to compare different versions. If the previous work was just text alone, it’s a joy to see the stories come to life.