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When Ontario entered lockdown in March, fulltime musician and violinist, Victoria Yeh, suddenly found herself with an empty schedule for the first time in over a decade. Her musical career had been on the upswing after slowly rebuilding in the wake of personal tragedy, and she had been looking forward to two momentous tours in 2020.
But instead of travelling the country, she found herself moving out of Toronto to a new home in Meaford, and settled into a quiet routine amid calls for social distancing. While she continued to work out of her own recording studio on film, online and educational projects, it didn’t take long for the performance itch to return.
Thus came to life Yeh’s Travel by Sound Virtual Concert & Adventure Series, which launches on September 20, 2020 and runs for six months until February 2021. “We’re heading into a long winter and this is my way to help my fellow artists and my community come together and have something to look forward to when patio season comes to an end,” said Yeh in a recent media release.
The series will centre around monthly concerts being performed in concert halls in the Bruce Grey Simcoe region and featuring celebrated and award-winning Canadian musicians. Each episode will also include footage of Yeh exploring hidden gems and adventures throughout the same region.
The series launches on September 20th with Yeh’s trio, Spirit Awakens, performing live together in Southampton Town Hall, with a special virtual tour of the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Southampton Art Centre.
The Town of Saugeen Shores was the first of six communities to jump into partnership with Yeh. “We are so thrilled to be launching the Travel by Sound series with Victoria. The arts have always helped lead the way through change and challenging times," said Heather Hyde, Economic Development Officer for Saugeen Shores. "It’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate our community by connecting with residents and visitors," Hyde added.
“My hope is to introduce audiences to new music, new places, and new experiences - and to inspire them to explore even more on their own," said Yeh.
Ticket holders will have access to unlimited concert replays, behind-the-scenes artist interviews, virtual adventures, and monthly door-prize draws. Monthly episodes will premiere as follows:
September 20, 2020 - Spirit Awakens, featuring Victoria Yeh’s live trio performing original fusion music and reimagined classics live at Southampton Town Hall. Also featuring David Hines (guitar) and Gino Mirizio (percussion).
Explore Saugeen Shores and the Southampton Arts Centre. Door prizes donated by Southampton Arts gallery members; Murray Fox Pottery, Practically Potty Studio, Halina Shearman Designs, Carl Durance and Under the Dutch Elm.
October 18, 2020 - Aaron Davis Quartet, featuring Aaron Davis (piano), Ian de Souza (bass), Kevin Breit (guitar), John Johnson (winds) and Victoria Yeh (violin), performing live at the Orillia Opera House. And, take a virtual bike tour through Orillia! Door prizes donated by Humdinger Bike Tours.
November 22, 2020 - Paul DeLong’s ONE WORD, featuring Paul DeLong (drums), Marco Luciani (keys), Michael Murray (guitar), Steve Lucas (bass) and Victoria Yeh (electric violin), performing fusion classics by The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Jeff Beck, Return to Forever and many more.
Performing live at Collingwood’s Simcoe Street Theatre. Tag along virtually to kayak the Beaver River and fly fish at the Rocky Saugeen. Door prizes provided by Ken Chandler Fly Fishing.
December 20, 2020 - Winter Classics, featuring Victoria Yeh and Natalie Wong (violins), Fanny Tang (viola) and Jill Sauerteig (cello) performing Vivaldi’s Winter from the Four Seasons, excerpts from the Nutcracker, and other holiday favouries.
Performed live at Meaford Hall. Explore life on the farm and snowshoe the Bruce Trail.
January 17, 2021 - Freeman Brothers, featuring twins Carson Freeman (sax) and Curtis Freeman (bass) performing live from Owen Sound. Go winter caving and explore the vibrant and diverse downtown scene.
February 21, 2021 - Victoria Yeh closes the Travel by Sound concert series with a very special compilation - featuring special guests and brand new to-be-released
music.
For more information and virtual tickets, visit www.VictoriaYehLive.com.
