How is Regina’s Brandt Centre attracting major artists?

A number of big artists are bringing their concerts to the Queen City in the near future.

Jelly Roll, the Beach Boys, Riley Green and Jon Pardi all have concerts scheduled next year at the Brandt Centre.

Roberta Engel, acting CEO of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), joined the Greg Morgan Morning Show to explain how the organization is drawing in the big artists.

Listen to the full interview with Engel:

“First of all, I want to say that it goes back to the fact that we’ve got Peter Jelinsky (the exhibition association’s entertainment manager) working very hard with Live Nation and other promoters to bring back artists.”

Engel said tours are starting to return to a more normal cycle, and the organization is grateful.

“We are so fortunate that acts are being suited for our venue, a.k.a. the Brandt Centre, and are choosing to come to Regina,” she said.

Read More:

• Award-winning Dene actor/comedian shares how Art Bar supports artists
• Second ammonia leak keeps Weyburn rinks closed until after Christmas
• Farmer who found space junk donates to Ituna arena renovations

“This is an exciting time for us.”

Engel was also asked about the $4 million cash injection from the city in October to help the exhibition association stay afloat, and whether those funds had been used to help attract big-name artists to the city.

“The fact that artists and events are coming back has nothing to do with the $4 million you mentioned in your question,” Engel told Morgna.

“It’s more about Live Nation and promoters are looking to rent our venue and bring entertainment back to the city.”

Engel said the organization is very eager about Jelly Roll coming to the Brandt  Centre in March, saying it was one of their biggest announcements of the year and tickets are already nearly sold out.

“It’s super exciting to see that our residents and our community and people surrounding Regina are looking forward to coming to see Jelly Roll and other acts that we’re bringing in, and they’re willing to spend their hard-earned money at the REAL District,” Engel said.

“We are so super excited and fortunate that things are returning to somewhat of a normal event cycle here in Regina,” she added.

Back in May, the city also approved a payment of $8 million to help REAL pay back a federal loan designed to help struggling businesses retain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then, roughly five months later, the city handed out the additional $4 million to help REAL continue operating and provide the organization with some stability after difficulties in recent years.