TRAVEL BACK THROUGH TIME in Barkerville

Astaycation can also involve journeying a bit outside your local region — and what is better than travelling back in time?

The Theatre Royal in Barkerville will be opening earlier this year, with previews of its new familyfriendly variety show launching on June 3.

This was made possible due to a generous donation made by Osisko Development and Osisko Gold Royalties, as well as personal contributions that were made by senior Osisko executives, bringing the total to $80,000. This allowed Barkerville to call its performers back to work early for rehearsals and also covers costs for script development, music composition and seasonal salaries for the theatre’s talented musicians.

“Since 1868, the Theatre Royal has been the heart of Barkerville’s gold rush community, sustained by successful and famous gold miners who craved entertainment as a reprieve from the Cariboo’s harsh living and working circumstances,” said Barkerville Historic Town & Park CEO Kate Cox.

“Through their support, Osisko is following in those footsteps by supporting the community’s tourism, arts and culture economy, employing 13 professional historic interpreters, accelerating the growth of ancillary programs and businesses and bringing Barkerville’s magic to an estimated 40,000-plus visitors.”

Added Osisko Development president Chris Lodder: “It is a real pleasure to continue to support Barkerville Historic Town & Park and watch it grow into the diverse, sustainable, economic fabric that has been developing in the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes region of the Cariboo.”

Shows at the Theatre Royal will begin on June 3, with shows each day at 2 p.m. During June only, there will be no shows on Thursdays. Performances will move to seven days a week after the Theatre Royal’s grand opening during the Dominion Day festivities on July 1.

For more information on Theatre Royal and everything else happening in Barkerville, go online to barkerville.ca or call 1-888-994-3332.

An invitation from Kamloops Arts Council marketing manager Rebecca Kurtis to check out all of its creative work:

The Kamloops Arts Council is a registered charitable non-profit organization devoted to the development and enhancement of the arts in the Kamloops area. We support all artists and art organizations and promote cooperation between them, government and business.

We produce high-quality, year-round, low- and no-cost arts programs, arts performances, arts workshops and arts events that help to connect our local community and promote our local talent.

From our popular Art in the Park festival on Canada Day to our galleries and exhibitions featuring local artists in all mediums, the Kamloops Arts Council’s year-round, low- and no-cost arts programs provide opportunities for local visual and performing artists while making the arts accessible to all.

The Kamloops Arts Council is a non-profit organization that services the community members of Kamloops, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. We offer free to low-cost programming for everyone and feature local artists and artisans.

We believe that art changes lives.

We feature local artists and artisans from ages eight to 80, host a series of events for the public during the summer (Art in the Park, Rivertown Players and Children’s Arts Festival) and exhibitions year-round.

Come see the amazing talent of our community at the Kamloops Arts Council. We are the art and soul of the community.