Third Ave can be for Saskatoon what Carnegie Hall is for New York. That may sound like a stretch, but we are already booking some of the same talent. We have already twice programmed international star Jan
Lisiecki, who has performed for a full house at Carnegie Hall. In November we hosted Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, which has sold out Carnegie Hall twice.Tafelmusik has been
described as the World's Greatest Baroque Orchestra. For the upcoming season we
plan to announce four shows of equal caliber. These international performers
prefer intimate, yet grand venues like Third Ave. They would be reluctant to
come to Saskatoon to play anywhere else.
Third Ave is a natural performance hall. Prior to the building of the Centennial Auditorium (TCU), when Duke Ellington or Percy
Grainger came to town, they played at Third Ave. It has a towering pipe organ, an expansive ceiling, seating for 1000, and phenomenal
acoustics. Jan Lisiecki describes the acoustics as better than the Salle Pleyal
in Paris. Still, the venue needs improvements such as a new stage,
lighting, sound, and bathrooms.These improvements will require money, but
fortunately we have time. Thanks to University programming, we can cover our operating expenses for years, using a temporary stage if necessary, until we find our Carnegie.