A popular series of live music concerts at Port Moody’s Inlet Theatre will receive a $5,000 boost from the city.
The art, culture and heritage grant allows promoters Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper to continue booking top touring and local musicians like Shari Ulrich, Roy Forbes and The Paperboys while maintaining affordable ticket prices.
It’s one of $40,000 worth of grants approved by council’s finance committee Tuesday, May 20, for distribution to several local organizations.
Cooper said the concerts have put the city “on the map as a bit of a cultural hub.”
She and Sample, who are both accomplished musicians themselves, launched the series in 2022 after moving to Port Moody from Vancouver and finding the local live music scene somewhat lacking, especially after the demise of Bistro Gallery that burned down in 2019.
Sample said the little bistro on Clarke Street had become a popular performance venue for local and guest musicians, poets, writers and visual artists. But with no place to play, many were bypassing Port Moody while on tour.
“We need music in our lives,” Sample said, of the series that presents up to eight concerts during the fall, winter and spring months in the venue that can seat as many as 208 patrons.
In March, 2024, Port Moody council voted to extend an agreement with Sample and Cooper to waive rental fees at the theatre for two more years to help keep concert costs down.
Devin Jain, who was then the city’s manager of cultural services but recently retired, said the promoters have “brought a consistent and professional music series to the community” which has “filled a gap within the cultural landscape of Port Moody.”
Other organizations awarded grants include:
- Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver will each receive $2,608 community grants to enhance their mentoring and youth leadership programs
- Crossroads Hospice Society will get a $3,000 community grant to bolster its activities that enhance the quality of care for it patients
- PoCoMo Meals on Wheels Society will get $3,000 to help keep the price of meals affordable
- SHARE Family and Community Services also gets a $3,000 community grant to offset the cost of emergency hampers for vulnerable community members
- The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre also gets $3,000 to boost its operational support for mental health care
- Port Moody Men’s Shed society’s $1,404 community grant will help its members build community bird houses
- Port Moody Heritage Society will receive a $5,000 arts, culture and heritage grant to help fund a new exhibit
- POMO Players will use its $4,500 arts, culture and heritage grant to fund booking of a venue, creative costs and insurance for its production of “A Christmas Carol”
- The Port Moody Art Association will get $3,000 for room rental, permits and insurance costs
- Arts Connect gets a $2,500 grant to help it attract top musical acts to Port Moody
As well, five artists will share a total of $4,717 in grants to help them put on exhibitions, open a studio, produce a short film or acquire materials and equipment. They are:
- Crystal Koskinen
- Amy Narky
- Ramin Mohseni
- Husein Kamrudin
- Samira Messchian Moghadam
Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti said she was pleased by the quality of the recipients.
“They all look like very good applicants,” she said.
According to a staff report, Port Moody received 47 applications for its three grant programs. Each was evaluated by staff and the city’s citizens advisory group based on criteria like:
- the extent to which the grant will help address a need in the community
- how the grant will promote the well-being and quality of life of Port Moody residents
- how much of the money will be spent in the city and benefit the community as a whole
- the needs of the organization or group requesting the funding
- how the funds will be directed to support equity, diversity, inclusions and reconciliation initiatives
- the involvement of volunteers and promotion of community spirit
- accessibility
MARIO BARTEL 