CANMORE – Few were surprised when the Canmore Alternative Metal and Punk Festival’s summer date was postponed, but organizers say the show’s status of being rescheduled this year is uncertain.
The indoor festival had 13 acts scheduled to appear July 25 at artsPlace for its sophomore event and promoters hope health regulations ease later this year to allow maximum fan capacity at the venue.
“I’d love to put it on [this year], but it just depends on what the government tells us what we can do,” said Kasey Suchowersky of Banff’s Beauty in Chaos Productions, one of the co-promoters.
“If things only continue to be at half-capacity then we probably won’t because it won’t make enough revenue to afford it.”
The maximum capacity is 250 at artsPlace and about 50 tickets would be reserved for the acts, leaving 200 available. Last year, Suchowersky said about 160 tickets were sold for the inaugural music event, which made a small profit after paying bands and staff at artsPlace, among other expenses.
“Unless things open up fully and we can do it properly, it’ll probably have to wait until next year,” Suchowersky said. “COVID-19 has been a hit for the music scene here, and Calgary, and everywhere.”
Suchowersky, and co-promoters Pitworthy Promotions of Banff and Momentsfest Productions of Siksika Nation are optimistic about regulations easing in the fall, which currently has dates available at the venue.
All theatre programming at artsPlace is cancelled until September and there isn’t an official plan for fall yet.
“We will be working on theatre programming for the fall,” said artsPlace spokesperson Paula Krupa.
“We'll continue monitoring the guidelines and the directions from Alberta Health Services, but at this time we don’t have a plan for the fall yet.”
The 12 bands and one solo artist originally scheduled to appear at the festival’s second show were made up of local and national acts such as Kyle Pullan, Hammerdrone, Wilt, All The Time Everywhere, No More Moments, Human Stain, Fjell Thyngor, BAWANG, Tea & Biscuits, Panic Station, Hyperia, SNUG, and Regal Foul.
