The very talented artists who performed in the spring DoReTEA concert series are back to present A Celebration of the Winter Solstice next Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Living Faith Lutheran Church in Davis Bay.
Val Rutter has organized an exciting afternoon with a wide variety of entertainment by Gemini (Val and her twin sister Julie), with Val playing piano and recorders and Julie playing piano and flute; Golden Echo, with Val and Richard Austin doing spoken word; and Libertango, with Julie and Paul Pinsonnault playing classical guitar. An exciting addition to this mix will be Cam Peters on steel-string guitar and Chris Peters playing flute and drum.
Born and educated in Britain, the Rutters received diplomas with first class honours and distinction. They have performed in many recitals in concert series and music festivals in Europe, and in Canada as a duo performing on CBC radio.
Gemini’s first CD was nominated for best classical album in the West Coast Music Awards. Val is the pianist at Living Faith and provides a concert every Sunday. They live in Sechelt as next-door neighbours and both enjoy teaching students of all ages and levels.
Austin trained as an actor in London, England, and worked professionally for more than 10 years on stage and in television. He appeared in the Driftwood Players production of The Drawer Boy as Morgan. Austin specializes in performing the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and travels internationally to perform at Hopkins conferences. His CD of Hopkins’ verses has been well received. He also writes poetry and prose and often performs his own compositions.
Pinsonnault holds three degrees and was the first person to receive a masters degree in guitar performance at UBC — a challenge he remembers well! Paul has performed in many ensembles over the last three decades.
The Peters are Julie’s sons who jam together frequently, both passionate about their music. Chris, the eldest, enjoys exploring the wilderness of the Sunshine Coast and harvesting wild mushrooms. Cam co-won the Sechelt’s Got Talent and has performed in the Chatelech talent show and for the Art’s Centre Christmas Craft Fair.
Tickets that include refreshments are $20, available at Swish in Gibsons, Sechelt Visitor Information Centre, at the door or by reservation by calling Lisa: 604-741-9943.
