North Shore businesses, arts groups gear up for summer as restrictions ease

When Canadian music legend Jim Byrnes takes his smoky version of the Blues to the Kay Meek stage next week, he’ll bring along something extra special for the performance: a live audience.

Byrnes’ three-night gig at the West Vancouver theatre, June 24-26, will mark the first time since November 2020 that an in-person audience has been allowed in the performance space under B.C.’s public health rules.

But next week, up to 50 people will get to hear the musical licks of Byrnes and pianist Simon Kendall live in the 500-seat theatre.

Originally scheduled for three nights in February, Byrnes’ live performance had to be repeatedly postponed, said Rob Gloor, executive director of the Kay Meek Centre.

Being able to have an audience back for the first time in person is a turning point and “such a big deal,” he said.

B.C. eases into Stage 2 of gradual reopening

The resumption of limited audiences is one of the changes made possible with the B.C. government’s announcement Monday that the province is now moving into the second stage of its gradual reopening.

Among the changes: 50-person sit-down events indoors are now permitted, including weddings, church services, live theatre performances and in movie theatres. Up to 50 people are allowed at outdoor private parties. Indoor sports games and high-intensity fitness programs are also allowed, with COVID safety plans in place. Alcohol service is now allowed up to midnight in restaurants and bars. Travel restrictions within B.C. have also ended.

For the arts community, the resumption of live audiences is the light at the end of the tunnel after a long, tough year. Kay Meek and other venues have had to pivot to new ways of doing things, said Gloor.

After the second wave of COVID closed down live events for the second time last fall, the theatre got busy acquiring equipment for livestreamed performances and has been running those as ticketed events for several months.

Staff has also been planning for a “hybrid” model – combining a limited live audience with a livestream option – which will happen next Saturday night.

Admittedly, having one-tenth of the usual paying audience in the theatre is difficult financially for both artists and venues. But “we’re all invested in making live performance happen,” said Gloor.

“We have artists who were booked that want to come back,” he said.

“We’re looking to the fall with a lot of optimism.”

50-person sit-down weddings allowed

Over at The Wallace, an event space at North Vancouver's The Shipyards district, a similar sense of things to come is taking hold.

Since the fall of 2020, only 10-person weddings have been allowed under COVID restrictions. Some couples have taken that option with a plan to have a party later, said Rachelle McBride, client services co-ordinator for the venue. Most, however, have chosen to postpone tying the knot.

As of this week, however, up to 50 people are now allowed for a sit-down wedding. Dancing and mingling are still not allowed, but the relaxing of restrictions means larger events can take place.

“The inquiries have definitely gone up,” said McBride.

Some couples are booking into this summer – taking a gamble that restrictions will be relaxed further – while others are booking into the fall and next year, she said.

Busy year ahead anticipated

Already, three nights are booked this month for a sit-down graduation banquet organized by the parents of grads at Ecole Windsor Secondary. Bookings are already starting for corporate events in the fall, markets in December and fundraising events into next year, added McBride. “It’s really exciting. Next year is going to be a very busy year.”

Mike Jeffs, owner of Nook in North Vancouver, said the changes to rules around serving alcohol won’t make a huge difference to his restaurant, which is taking a slow and steady approach to changes.

Nook was able to have a lot of outside dining during the pandemic, said Jeffs and “things have been pretty good for us the last while. It’s busy.”

Most customers and staff feel comfortable with a gradual relaxing of restrictions, he said.

“We’re opening up at the right time,” he said, adding he’s bracing for a busy summer. “There’s going to be a lot of people around town looking to go out.”