CAA Driving Tank Engine
The live musical adaptation of the children's TV show will play the hall for at least two performances on either June 18 or 19, or possibly both days if tickets are selling well enough to warrant another show. And it's a first for the board.
"This is where we become the promoter ourselves," said Rich MacKeigan, CAA executive director and SMG general manager.
"The name, the product is very strong. We feel that the risk is moderate. We're looking at doing two shows, possibly three," he added.
MacKeigan said the CAA is risking from $35,000 to $40,000 by promoting the show. A pro forma put together by SMG Director of Finance Chris Machuta estimated the board's breakeven point as $53,500 and the profit from two sold-out performances as $38,200.
The CAA will also get a percentage of the merchandise sales from the shows.
"The merchandise alone is doing a huge, huge business," said MacKeigan.
Board members also gave MacKeigan the green light last week to begin putting together a wine, beer and food festival to be held at
"I'm excited. I think it will work," said CAA member Gary McInerney, who suggested the idea.
MacKeigan said he is hoping to get a lot of groups involved in the event, ranging from the local chamber to downtown restaurant owners and their distributors.
"There are wineries worldwide that do have a presence here," he said.
First, MacKeigan needs to find someone to produce the event and he hopes to have that accomplished within two months. Then he needs to put together a committee within the next three months to help him plan the event.
The local event would be based on the Ottawa Wine and Food Show held in
