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Black History Day at Gibsons Market

Art Beat
black history
Sir James Douglas, former governor of Vancouver Island, is known as the father of B.C. He was half Guyanese and half Scottish. In recognition of Black History Month, Gibsons Public Market hosts a variety of events on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gibsons Public Market presents a Black History Month event on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day opens with Saturday Soul Flow Yoga (bring a mat) from 10:15 to 11 a.m. then Pranayama and loving kindness meditation with Girija and Vimalasara, starting at 11:15 a.m. The official opening of Black History month comes at noon with Mayor Wayne Rowe and organizers speaking, followed by short films and a talk about Dr. Phil Edwards, one of Canada’s black Olympic medallists. At 1:15 p.m. Ola Bisi leads a workshop on strength in diversity and from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., hear some history of B.C. and a film, followed by the history of the first black people in Canada at 3:45 p.m. The day closes with music from 5 to 6 p.m. Between 1 and 3 p.m. try out African and soul food cooking demonstrations with free samples. All are welcome. 

Coffee House 

The monthly Artesia Coffee House is this Friday, Feb. 23 at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt. This month’s poet will be George Connell from Earl’s Cove as he plays and sings tunes from his new CD, Elephant in the Room. Also on stage will be newcomers to the Coast, jazz musicians Peter Hill and Pam Girone with guitar and vocals. Dale Stavroff, guitar(s) Michelle Bruce, fiddle, Gord Beynon, bass, and Al Burns, drums, of Back Porch Reunion will close the night with some eclectic blues and more. Tickets are $10, doors are at 7 p.m. with show time at 8 p.m. Come early to get a good seat and enjoy Treats by Trish, a slideshow of past coffee house musicians and the latest art show in the Doris Crowston Gallery. 

Fiddlers Concert 

A free community concert, Winterruption, featuring all three Bad to the Bow groups plus a guest appearance by the Low Key Fiddlers is this Friday, Feb. 23, at St. Bart’s Church (659 North Road, Gibsons) at 7 p.m. All groups are led by musical director Gabriel Dubreuil with Kaia Nielsen on upright bass and Anna Lumiere on piano. The concert is hosted by the Coast String Fiddlers. 

This Weekend 

• The Burlesque Festival with performers from Boudoir Rouge put on a show this Saturday at 8 p.m. at Roberts Creek Hall ($30). 

• The Sunshine Coast Museum presents its Antiques and Collectables Roadshow fundraiser. Bring your treasures to Sunnycrest Mall, Gibsons, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to be assessed by experts. Phone 604-886-8232 for details. 

Author Reading 

Join award-winning historical novelist Carol M. Cram for a presentation of her third novel, The Muse of Fire, about an actress in early 19th century London. She reads at Sechelt Library this Saturday, Feb. 24, from 2 to 3 p.m. The event includes a lively discussion of historical women in painting, music and theatre through the lenses of the author’s three novels about women in the arts. 

Arts Building 

Tools and Techniques of Acrylic Painting is offered on Feb. 24 and 25 at the Arts Building (464 S. Fletcher) in Gibsons. This course is for those who wish to develop or improve their understanding of acrylic techniques whether in representational or more expressive style. This is a hands-on, technique driven exploration of the painting process by teacher Rick Cepella. See artsbuilding.org for details about registration and what to bring. 

La Bohème 

The Metropolitan Opera series continues at the Raven’s Cry Theatre this Saturday, Feb. 24 starting at 9:30 a.m. (note the earlier than usual show time). An exciting young cast stars in Franco Zeffirelli’s classic production of La Bohème, the most-performed opera in Met history. Sonya Yoncheva stars as Mimì opposite Michael Fabiano as the passionate writer Rodolfo. Susanna Phillips reprises the role of the flirtatious Musetta and Lucas Meachem sings the role of her lover, the painter Marcello. Runtime is 3 hrs. 16 mins. Phone the theatre at 604-885-4597 for ticket reservations. 

Wilde Play 

The National Theatre of London presents A Woman of No Importance, a comedy-drama by Oscar Wilde that was performed live in London at the Vaudeville Theatre and is now broadcast by satellite to the Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt. It screens on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. First performed in 1893, Wilde’s marriage of glittering wit and Ibsenite drama satirised the socially conservative world of the Victorian upper-class. Tickets are at the door or call 604-885-4597. 

Vote This Week 

It’s time for CBC’s Searchlight competition in which they ask you, the listener, to vote online for your favourite song/music. The local band Spouse is a group of talented kids who started three years ago as a duo, and have now added two new members. Their Searchlight song (which they wrote) is called Pigsty and is about sexual abuse. All the band members, ranging in age from 15 to 18, are from the Sunshine Coast, and winning this competition could change their lives. In order to win, they need you to vote until Feb. 28, and people can vote once a day. Here is the link: www.cbcmusic.ca/searchlight/5482 

While you’re on Searchlight, look for the poet/musician from Earl’s Cove, George Connell, who has also thrown one of his songs into the ring, the poignant Highway of Tears. He would appreciate a vote as well. 

Book Club 

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., children’s librarian Danielle Arsenault hosts an intergenerational book club at the Gibsons Library. It’s open to adults and youth (12 years plus). Participants are invited to read and discuss Mildred D. Taylor’s controversial 1976 book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The book has been banned, but also won the Newbery Medal. A celebration of an African-American family’s pride, love and resilience in the face of poverty, hardships and the racial violence that was prevalent in Mississippi in the 1930s, the content is at times difficult. The book is meant to be shared by both a mature young reader and an adult. Copies will be available to borrow from the library. 

Oscar Time 

Buy your tickets now for the fifth annual Oscars Eve Party on Saturday, March 3 at Cowrie Cabaret in Trail Bay Mall, put on by the Sechelt Rotary Club. The party begins at 7:30 p.m. with the March Hare band performing at 8:30 p.m. Bubbly and caviar are on offer during the Red Carpet time and appetizers and B.C. wine tasting are included at the dance party. March Hare recreates authentic versions of countless favourite songs from the past and present, complete with costume changes. The evening’s hosts Bob Hope (aka Matt Morris) and Marilyn (aka Tanya Hall) will greet you. Tickets are at www.share-there.com and at Sechelt Visitor Centre or Laedeli, Gibsons. All net proceeds benefit Arrowhead Clubhouse. 

Rakish Angles 

The Rakish Angles are coming to Halfmoon Bay. This group was nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Award in 2009, Indie Acoustic Project Awards in 2009 and 2011, and Western Canadian Music Awards in 2010 and 2012. They are a Coastal treasure and a must see. They will be at Coopers Green Hall on Saturday, March 3. Tickets are $20/person and can be purchased at Halfmoon Bay General Store, Welcome Woods Market and Pastimes (Sechelt). Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. 

Message Me

Send notice of your arts and entertainment events to jandegrass@dccnet.com or phone 604-886-4692.