18
PL & P
HOTELS LIVE CONCERT AT THE RAMADA PLAZA IN DOWNTOWN CALGARY
THE ONLY
SHOW
IN TOWN
BY MICHAEL RAINE PHOTOS BY LESLIE CYRYNOWSKI , COURTESY OF HOTELS LIVE
Hotels Live has reinvented the concert experience and what a venue looks like with a completely COVID-safe model
Just imagine , you ’ re in a hotel room with a couple friends or your family , there ’ s drinks and food going around , and you ’ re laid out on the bed chatting and laughing and generally having a good time hanging out . Then , you notice it ’ s about to turn seven o ’ clock , so everyone heads out to the room ’ s balcony , drinks and food still in hand , maybe your dog is even tagging along , and from the ground , lights shoot into the sky , video screens tilted in your direction come alive , and the band launches into Elton John ’ s “ Bennie and the Jets .” Your hotel room and balcony has become a private box at the concert .
That one-of-a-kind experience is what Hotels Live has given more than 9,000 concert fans in Alberta since July 1 , 2020 , just one month after the first lockdown . This fresh concert model provides fans with a safe way to experience live bands , DJ shows , comedy sets , and even circus shows , using hotel rooms with balconies overlooking a central pool deck , atrium , or courtyard . The ticket buyers / hotel guests get a night out – and who doesn ’ t want that these days ? – to enjoy live music from their private balcony , have a fun hangout , and head home in the morning . It truly is an
everybody-wins scenario . Fans get the live music and a night out that they ’ ve sorely been missing , the artists get much-needed gigs in a very unique setting , the hotel gets some desperately-needed guests , and the production crew gets some work . And most importantly , it ’ s easily adaptable to even the strictest COVID-19 safety protocols handed down by the provincial government .
“ After eight and a half months , 2,800 hotel rooms sold , and 9,000 people [ who have experienced shows so far ], we have had zero reported cases of COVID-19 transmission from any of our events , according to Alberta Health Services . This is a proven , in-person live entertainment model , which is safe and ready to go right now . We ’ re excited to take this concept right across the country this spring and create a touring network for artists to perform again !” enthuses Rob Cyrynowski , an accomplished Canadian live music industry veteran and president and founder of Hotels Live and Livestar Entertainment Canada . This concept of re-purposing existing hotel pool decks and atriums for live concerts was first brought to Livestar Entertainment Canada by Calgary software and ticketing company Showpass . As a result , Cyrynowski created Hotels Live to promote and produce safe , in-person live events , creating hundreds of jobs for artists , musicians , and production crew , along with the hotel and hospitality sectors . Since July , Hotels Live has produced nearly 50 events , recently surpassing $ 700,000 in gross ticket sales during this pandemic .
“ We just did a Cirque du Soleil-type event last weekend with fire and aerial contortionists and it was quite cool … Our latest discussions have been with ballet and other performing arts and theatre groups . It ’ s going well and we continue to find ways to make it through all the different restrictions that keep coming down the pipe ,” adds Cyrynowski .
To date , most of the musical acts playing the Hotels Live shows have been tribute bands , as they provide the right easy-going , party-type atmosphere that works well in this environment and bring in people who have been craving a fun night of dancing and communal singalongs . Among them have been The Hip Experience , Pink 4reud , BC / DC , Queen Flash , and Elton Rohn ( tributes to the Tragically Hip , Pink Floyd , AC / DC , Queen , and Elton John , respectively , if that wasn ’ t obvious ). For