Last year was a particularly rough time to be a travel agency, but one local company is trying to reinvent themselves.
Classical Movements, a wing of travel management and tour company Blue Heart Travel at 711 Princess Street, is a local tourism agency that specializes in travel focused on international classical music venues from South Africa to Prague. But with the pandemic effectively killing their industry over the last year, Classical Movements has filed an application to adjust the Old Town business into a live music venue.
“The past seven months have been perhaps the most difficult in our 28-year history,” the company said in the application. “Our business has come entirely to a halt. As we straddle the travel and live music industries, two of the hardest-hit by the COVID shutdown, we are facing a total loss of revenue for the foreseeable future. All of our business (concerts tours and festivals) was cancelled this year and we do not have any contracts for our core business in the future. There will be a longer delay for our business to return to normal because full choirs and orchestras will need to be able to meet for rehearsals and concerts, domestic and international travel restrictions will need to be lifted, and most of them will require a vaccine in order to go on concert tour or attend one of our festivals.”
Classical Movements said core business will likely not return until late 2021 or, more likely, 2022. The company had to lay off two employees permanently and nine more were furloughed, but eventually returned with reduced salaries.
“Despite all this, we have reinvented ourselves to pull through this crisis and lead the charge for the return of live classical music,” the company said. “We launched a new virtual education division that includes virtual festivals, individual and group workshops, instrumental master classes, and we are planning more virtual events such as a big sing with guest conductors. Unfortunately, none of these virtual events have brought in much income.”
Now, the group is hoping to convert the 711 Princess Street headquarters into a small live music venue.
“Since our property at 711 Princess Street has been empty since everyone started working remotely, we came up with the idea of having small live concerts, which have been the only source of regular income for us,” the company said. “Our small live concerts and other ventures act as both a stopgap for our company, but also to play a leading role in reviving the classical music industry. Until touring and travel returns, we are committed to doing the best we can to keep artists and audiences engaged. We are continually developing projects that help out-of-work musicians. Through this, we also hope to lead the way in helping the performing arts industry to revive and return as soon as possible.”
The building has a total of 8,491 square feet, and the company is hoping to use both the indoor and outdoor space included in that total for small concerts. The building is known as The Rectory and was built around 1785, according to the application. It was originally the church rectory for the nearby Christ Church, but has been a commercial space since the 1960s.
Classical Movements said it would require temperature checks for all those attending and both audience members and staff would be required to wear face covering. Chairs would be six feet apart with assigned seating.
The company said it would expect to host concerts four days per month, six months of the year. In the application the company said it would attempt to find other solutions to the income problem if the permit is denied, but said that they would likely end up selling the property.
“These are extremely difficult and unprecedented times for all of us,” the company said. “We are trying to do the best we can for our employees, local music organizations and musicians, and other local businesses out of work or with reduced income, and the community. Our hope is to return to our core business as soon as we are able.”
Image via Classical Movements
Recent Stories
A look at the most and least expensive single-family homes sold in Alexandria last month, November 2023.
A longtime city commissioner and a retired labor leader are facing off in the special election for Alexandria’s School Board District A seat, and both want to improve teacher retention…
The holiday festivities continue this weekend with the 8th Annual Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl, Alexandria SantaCon, holiday markets, and more. Here’s your full rundown of all the festivities,…
Alexandria’s Planning Commission endorsed a plan to rezone 301 N. Fairfax Street, despite concerns from the divided Commission that rezoning without prior planning represents bad civic practice. The plan is…
About Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT): Latinas Leading Tomorrow is a dynamic 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young Latina women through education, mentorship, and leadership development. We are committed to fostering a community of future leaders who will make a significant impact to the community.
Job Description: We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Part-time Executive Director to lead our organization into its next phase of growth and impact. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader who can oversee day-to-day operations, drive fundraising efforts, and cultivate relationships with stakeholders. This is a 1099 position; Remote position with ability to attend DMV events; 8-10 hours a week; $35-40/per hour.
Key Responsibilities:
Get ready to Shake, Rattle and Roll with this one-of-a-kind, high-octane rockabilly concert experience! Rockabilly Rumble is the all-new, musical experience celebrating the southern rock music that exploded on the scene in the 1950s. Organized by Alexandria City High School Alum and pro-musician Sam C. Jones, this band of world-class performers will have you dancing in your Blue Suede Shoes all night long with songs made famous by Bo Ridley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and more. Relive their most popular hits, along with some forgotten gems. “Rockabilly Rumble” is a dance-worthy, foot stomping evening you’ll never forget!
This show is 21+ only.
YOU MUST HAVE A VALID PHYSICAL ID. A PICTURE OF YOUR ID IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Christmas Through The Ages
Christmas Through The Ages – Join the Washington Men’s Camerata, and Guest Director Scott Tucker for a program of Christmas and holiday music spanning the centuries through today, featuring the music of Bach, Lauridsen, Abbie Betinis, and many others.
