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The Festival Hall Consortium, representing the City of Pembroke, Town of Petawawa, and Township of Laurentian Valley, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kitchissippi Productions, led by owner and creative director Dorian Pearce, as the new management company for Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe. This appointment follows the retirement of Rick Wharton of Eventure Entertainment, who passionately served in the role for 13 years.
Kitchissippi Productions brings extensive expertise in event production and community engagement, coupled with a forward-thinking vision for the venue. While continuing to position Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe as a regional hub for concerts, comedy, theatre, dance, and community events, their plans include introducing youth workshops, summer theatre day camps, and augmented technical capabilities to attract hybrid and touring events.
Dorian Pearce has deep roots in Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe, having grown up on its stage as a student at École élémentaire et secondaire publique L'Équinoxe. With a lifetime of performing arts experience in the space, he brings a unique perspective and passion for its success.
Murray Rutz, Chair of the Festival Hall Committee, stated, “On behalf of the Consortium, we would like to congratulate and welcome our new Director of Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe, Dorian Pearce of Kitchissippi Productions. With many modern upgrades recently completed at our facility, we are now embracing an operational focus aligned with a futuristic business model. We look forward to supporting Dorian and his team as we host a wide array of cultural and educational programming opportunities for our community.”
Kitchissippi Productions will also prioritize community engagement by launching a new website, enhancing Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe’s social media presence, and fostering partnerships with local organizations. Their vision includes maintaining strong relationships with local user groups while introducing new programming to maximize the venue’s potential as a year-round destination for the arts.
Dorian Pearce, owner of Kitchissippi Productions shared, “I am thrilled to take on this opportunity to lead Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe into a new era. This venue has been at the heart of the Ottawa Valley arts community for decades, and it’s been a huge part of my own story. My team and I are ready to build on its legacy—modernizing operations, welcoming new audiences, and creating programming that brings people together. Our vision is to make Festival Hall @ L’Équinoxe a vibrant, welcoming hub for the arts—a place where the community can gather, create, and shine.”
Kitchissippi Productions will work with Eventure Entertainment to transition management duties throughout December, with Kitchissippi Productions officially beginning its tenure on January 1, 2025. Further announcements will follow in the coming weeks for those looking to book Festival Hall @ L'Équinoxe in 2025 or purchase tickets for upcoming events
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