The Fort 91原创 Jazz and Arts Festival went live during the Labour Day long weekend, and while audiences were not able to be physically present, organizers say the turnout of virtual viewers was high.
Founder Karen Zukas said the average stream was watched by an estimated three to five people each, which means that the total festival attendance this year was between 7,500 to 12,500.
鈥淨uite a few people were sharing it on social media or having a backyard festival,鈥� Zukas said. 鈥淧eople came together to enjoy it as an experience.鈥�
Zukas said the typical retention rate, or how many people stuck with the stream and watched until the very end, for events like these is normally 50 per cent.
鈥淢any people were watching all the way through and we saw 90 per cent retention rate during performances,鈥� Zukas said, describing that number as 鈥渟uperb.鈥�
COVID-19 prevented the festival to celebrate its third year in Fort 91原创, forcing organizers to get creative and bring fans a safe and socially distanced option.
The online event had 17 pre-recorded performers, interviews with performers, a virtual artwalk, and two live streamed ticketed events including the All-star Blues Show hosted by Jim Byrnes with Taylor James Band and Tom Lavin & The Legendary Powder Blues, plus Saturday night show with Mimosa and Siobhan Walsh in her tribute to Aretha Franklin.
The biggest note from viewers that Zukas said she received was the high quality production value.
鈥淧eople said it looked so professional 鈥� like a television broadcast 鈥� and that was our goal,鈥� Zukas noted.
While a couple technical issues arose with the ticketed events, Zukas said everyone got in and the technical team came through to solve the problems.
She was also quick to point out that this year鈥檚 festival was as much for the performers as it was for the viewers 鈥� giving musicians an outlet to showcase their talents.
Taylor James, one of the festival鈥檚 performers, thanked the festival and crew for the outlet.
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鈥淵ou put on a very pro show. I know it wasn鈥檛 easy navigating all the details. It felt so good to perform again,鈥� James said.
Another performer, Laila Baili, called the virtual festival a job well done.
鈥淚ncredibly high production values, a fantastic job with the mix 鈥� definitely a cut above most of the virtual festivals I鈥檝e seen thus far,鈥� she said.
Because of the virtual success, Zukas added that there will always be an online component to the Fort 91原创 Jazz and Arts Festival.
鈥淭he festival shows and community spotlight videos will all be available on our YouTube channel next week for people to view and enjoy,鈥� Zukas added. 鈥淭here will be a small fee to download and view the headliner concert shows.鈥�
People can visit for videos and highlights from the festival.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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