Victoria business offers free poster printing to support live events in the city
Metropol has been in the business of promoting the arts in Victoria for the last 19 years.
"When COVID hit, that entire postering department just completely shutdown," said Steve Webb, founder of Metropol and administrator of Vicposters.com.
With no live events, the "postering" side of Webb’s business had nothing to promote. Now, with restrictions lifting and live events coming back, Webb has decided to give back to the community that helped build his business.
"The fact is that it’s been a year and half since we needed that, so we thought we would see if we could do it and offer it as a free service," said Webb.
By offering to print posters for free, each organization is expected to save hundreds of dollars per promoted event.
"It’s really incredible that he’s giving back to artists and doing this free campaign," said Ashley Wey, a musician and artistic director at Hermann’s Jazz Club in downtown Victoria.
Wey will be holding an album release party for her new album titled Hummingbird this Saturday night at Hermann’s Jazz Club. She took Webb up on his offer.
"I think it absolutely helped sell out my show on Saturday," said Wey.
Chris Fretwell is the general manager at the Victoria Events Centre (VEC) in downtown Victoria.
"It’s been a tough haul," he told CTV News on Thursday.
But the stage lights are back on at the VEC after a difficult pandemic year. Now the challenge is letting everyone know that shows are back on.
"Some people are very aware and have been looking out for this very actively," said Fretwell. "I find that a lot of people are not aware at all that shows are happening."
They too have taken up the offer of free posters and say that it’s made a difference filling seats.
"We had a very successful probably sold-out festival," said Francyne Morrison, marketing communication co-op student with Theatre Skam.
Theatre SKAM sold out last weekend's SKAMpede Festival, showing that there is a renewed hunger for live performances in the city.
"This thing is going to come back, it’s going to come back in full force,” said Webb. “It’s going to be bigger, it’s going to better, there’s going to be more stuff to do.”"
"I think if we can stick together as a community and support our local music and our local businesses, then we will all be better off for it," he said.
Event organizers looking to have posters printed can find further information on the Vic posters website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.