Event of the Week: Open the Door for Three

2016-06-30

Nova Scotia’s Celtic Music Interpretive Centre Celebrates 10 Years with Concert Featuring Open the Door for Three

Fans of traditional Irish music were treated to a special concert by Open the Door for Three at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique, Nova Scotia. The June 9th concert was a big moment for the Centre, and Open the Door for Three acted as, according to the Centre’s Allan Dewar, “an opening event celebrating our 10th anniversary.”

The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre’s dedication to Celtic music is stated in its mission statement; “to collect, preserve, and promote the traditional Celtic music of Cape Breton Island through Education, Research and Performance.” Celtic music is a large part of Cape Breton Island’s identity, and the Centre allows visitors “an in-depth look into the history, culture, and music of Cape Breton Island.” The Centre was deemed the “Official Celtic Music Centre of Nova Scotia” in 2013 by Nova Scotia’s legislature. The Centre is a non-profit, and is supported not only through donations from the community, but through The Celtic Music Centre Endowment Fund.

Open the Door for Three fits right into the Centre’s focus. The group members, Kieran O’Hare, Pat Broaders, and Liz Knowles, are described on their website as “veterans and mainstays of the Irish music scene around the world,” with such acts like Cherish the Ladies, Riverdance, The New York Pops, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Groban, and more in their collective resume.

Dewar stated that the concert, as well as Open the Door for Three’s performance, were huge successes. “The concert sold out…we were able to sell most of the tickets in advance,” wrote Dewar. “Our venue provides an intimate setting for various types of shows and having an Irish Traditional band of their stature in this room was nothing short of amazing.”

So how did they sell out the event? Through social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter. “A Facebook event with invitees was primary, along with sharing via other pages we operate,” stated Dewar. There were also posters placed on the Centre’s community bulletin boards, as well as radio and newspaper notices thanks to 101.5 The Hawk, 98.9 XFM, local papers The Casket, and The Port Hawkesbury Reporter. The most traditional of promotional tools was also used; word of mouth. “The radio interviews on the local traditional music shows and Facebook seemed to have the greatest feedback and results,” wrote Dewar.

The event celebrated the Centre’s love for Celtic music and culture, but it also helped Open the Door for Three gain new fans. “The best part for us was knowing the calibre of talent onstage,” wrote Dewar. “Some locals are shy about trying new bands and traditional music from outside the area. We are proud that we helped expose the band to some very engaged listeners and made numerous new fans for a return visit someday.”

Do you have a musical event like this down the pike for your organisation? Dewar states that selling tickets in advance is the way to go. “If you are planning an event such as this, I would strongly encourage having tickets printed and selling seats in advance.  Having professional tickets adds credibility to the event and allows a lot of cross promotion with other stakeholders and media outlets,” wrote Dewar. “Take the time to have everything planned well ahead of the show and give the audience a sample of what they may expect at the concert in a way that will encourage them to buy their tickets early and not be left without a seat for the concert.”