Pining for live music? Music festival has something for all

Tickets to in-person Chamberfest shows on sale ahead of Ontario's move to Stage 3

When Chamberfest announced its program last month, organizers were crossing their fingers that Step 3 of Ontario's economic reopening framework would coincide with their plans and allow them to sell in-person tickets as well as livestream passes. The festival runs from July 22 to Aug. 4.

That optimism has paid off. With Step 3 moved up and starting Friday, audiences will be allowed in an indoor venue, and Chamberfest has added sales of in-person tickets to its ticketing portal at chamberfest.com.

“We had faith and it worked out,” said artistic director Carissa Klopoushak. “Things are definitely working out as we hoped, and a little bit better. When we did our early projections six months ago, we were hoping for 50 people allowed inside but we'll be able to do a little better than that.”

While the exact number of audience members to be safely accommodated is being calculated, based on a seating plan that provides two metres of space between groups of patrons, Klopoushak is expecting the tally to be around 150 people. The festival's main venue, the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, normally seats up to 950 people.

This year's edition of the festival, which celebrates the small ensemble, features a mostly Canadian lineup consisting of classical acts such as the New Orford String Quartet, Ironwood Quartet (of which Klopoushak, a violinist, is a member), the Gryphon Trio and operatic soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, all performing at the Dom-Chalm. Livestream and in-person tickets are available, with a discount for ticket buyers who already purchased a livestream pass.

The more eclectic Chamberfringe series takes place on the courtyard of Club SAW, featuring performances by the Afro-Cuban jazz group OKAN, ferocious instrumentalists The Fretless, a murder-mystery ensemble from Montreal called Infusion Baroque and more.

In-person tickets and livestream tickets are on sale. Other Chamberfest concerts take place at the Beechwood Cemetery, the Record Centre and the parking lot of the

Steinway Piano Gallery.

If you're pining for live music, it's a good time to check out the festival, no matter what your musical tastes.

“Seeing as there are not a lot of live music offerings this summer, it's the perfect time for people to take a chance on us,” Klopoushak said.

“Between our different series, we have something for everyone. For the hardcore classical fan, we've got lots, and for the people who want something more fringey, we've got Chamberfringe.”

All required safety protocols will be in effect, she added.