Massey Theatre is Imperative to our Multicultural Example

by Cassius Khan

My name is Cassius Khan, and I am an internationally recognized Indian
Classical Musician who plays Tabla and is a vocalist of the rather
difficult styles of Ghazals, poetry in the lunguage of Hindi and Urdu
set to Indian Classical Music.

I have made New Westminster my home, because of the warmth of our
mayor, the Honourable Wayne Wright, the beautiful city and the Massey
Theatre.

As a musician who performs and teaches for a living, it is imperative
that we keep the Arts and Culture alive in our city. The Government
has already cut so much funding to World Musicians such as myself,
that we need to have an Artistic, Cultural, and Musical outlet in our
city.

To tear down a facility which is worth over $100 Million for the sake
of a school is ridiculous, never in the history of any thriving city
has a fully functioning and respectable theatre been torn down.

The Massey is a major contributor in Theatre, Dance, Music and Art.
Communities are joined together thanks to the Massey Theatre. The
Theatre is well known around the world as well, in my international
touring work, I have come across a lot of musicians who have worked
with the Massey and have always praised the dynamics, the ambience,
staff and sound engineering of the Theatre.

This Theatre also brings in a lot of business, and tourism. The Massey
is a Heritage Landmark, an icon that has nurtured the Arts and Music.
Not only do people from all over Vancouver come to this theatre to
indulge in wonderful programming, people all over the world come as
well. And that too, of all world cultures.

Without this facility, the Arts here will die!

We must save our Theatre. If The Massey is torn down, it will be a
symbolic teardown of our Cultural and Artistic identity as well.

It is a shame that the City of New Westminster and the public school
board would even consider tearing down a facility of this sheer size
and reputation.

Money talks. What is the fine print on our $20.00 bill? Look closely
and read it, it says:

"Nous connatrions-nous seulement un peu nous- memes, sans les arts?"-
COULD WE EVER KNOW EACH OTHER IN THE SLIGHTEST, WITHOUT THE ARTS?-
( Gabrielle Roy, 1909-1983)

in 2007, the Arts contributed $84.6 Billion to Canada's GNP. That's
1.1 million jobs or 7.2% of Canada's employment. ( The Conference
Board of Canada, August 26th 2008 report)

Please save this Theatre! As a Musician and proud citizen of New
Westminster, this is all we have left in our beautiful city. Please
don't tear it down!