SANTA CLARITA – The College of the Canyons Foundation announced this morning that the speaking engagement by brothers David and Tom Gardner, known as the Motley Fool financial advisors, has been cancelled.  The engagement had been scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 20 in the Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts on the College of the Canyons Campus.

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According to Kathleen Maloney, Executive Director of the College of the Canyons Foundation, “ticket sales were sluggish, partly because of the ticket price levels required to support a performance of this group.”  With less than two weeks before the event, less than 100 seats of a 926-seat capacity had been sold. 

Those holding tickets for The Motley Fool will each receive a form by mail to return regarding refund options.  Currently, those options are to receive a full refund, or to have the opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation of the ticket price to the College of the Canyons Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to raise funds for scholarships and other programs that enhance the college’s ability to provide an enriched educational experience for students.

“Although we’ve had some cancellations this year, these activities are all part of running a performing arts facility,” said Vital Express Center Director, Karen Schmidt.   “In my experience,” said Schmidt, “every facility has a certain number of cancellations and additions to its schedule every season.  We are thrilled that we have been able to add the Metropolitan Educational Theatre’s production of Annie on May 7 that features many community members in the cast, a Santa Clarita Ballet Gala production on June 18 and a Golden Valley High School’s presentation of The Sound of Music on April 21, 23 and 24.”

Schmidt also pointed out that there are still a number of originally scheduled events that will be held in the Vital Express Center through June including: college theater, music and dance performances, the Acting Company’s presentation of Turn of the Screw and a COC Faculty Artist Evening.

The complete listing of April, May and June events can be found at: www.VitalExpressCenter.com