Bard on the Beach will get a boost to its fortunes next year thanks to the Vancouver International Wine Festival's announcement that its proceeds starting in 2013 will flow to the Shakespearean festival staged each summer at Vanier Park.
The festival formerly known as the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival chose to remain as a fund raising vehicle rather than a stand-alone festival after the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Co. shut down earlier this year.
The festival generates between $300,000 and $500,000 annually and has raised $7.8 million in the 34 years that it has operated.
The 35th annual festival is set to next take place February 25 through March 3, 2013. Its theme region will be California; its theme grape varietal will be Chardonnay.
"The choice of a new charity to support was an important decision for the wine festival and we engaged in a consultative process with our major stakeholders and representatives of our more than 350 volunteers," said festival chair Randy Kaardal in a release.
"Bard on the Beach had a long association with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Co. It is an important cultural event in the city and the festival atmosphere it engenders makes it a great charitable partner."
