Lia Grainger was once a collegiate level basketball player and then a journalist working for Canadian newspapers. She gave it all up to move to Seville, Spain, so she could spend six hours a day studying the art of flamenco dancing with the nation’s greatest masters of this passionate and unforgiving art form. It was hard. She didn’t speak the language or know anyone. Flamenco teachers can be tough and even downright mean. There were many times when she questioned why she had made such a crazy choice. But now, the artistic director and dancer has returned to Canada with a world-class group of flamenco musicians, some of whom have similar stories, in a show called Fin de Fiesta Flamenco, a group that has begun a 30-show tour of Canada. They will be performing in Gibsons at the Heritage Playhouse on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. See www.findefiestaflamenco.com.
Flamenco is the living music and dance of Southern Spain. It was in informal, improvised midnight sessions that the theme of this season’s show emerged: Liándola. The searing vocals of Alejandro Mendia are accompanied by the intricate guitar arpeggios of music director Dennis Duffin and the haunting flute melodies of Lara Wong. David Sampaulo holds down the rhythm on cahon. Artistic director Grainger brings the stage to life with fierce, sensual choreography. Tickets for $22 are available at eventbrite.ca or Laedeli in Gibsons.
This weekend
On Saturday, Aug. 5 enjoy Musical Reflections: Holly, Heather and Harris in Concert. Holly Beckmyer, soprano, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music educator, performs with Heather Cattanach and Harris Playfair on piano. That’s at 7:30 p.m. at St. Bart’s Church, Gibsons. Suggested donation is $10 at the door.
On Saturday there’s an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for the show Materiality by Carole Sinclair at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. On Sunday there’s an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for the 50 Canadian Things show at the Arts Centre in Sechelt.
Kube show
The Kube Studios at 689A Gibsons Way hosts the Anonymous Art Show opening this Friday, Aug. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Forty talented local artists have submitted 12x12 pieces, each of which is priced at $200. Christa and Jill invite you to come enjoy a glass of wine and check out this great summer show.
Song webinar
Singer/songwriter Lowry Olafson invites you to try his new online course, Songwriting Made Fun! It’s for people who have little or no musical background and think they can’t sing, as well as those with some experience who want to take their work to the next level. Next course runs Aug. 4 to 25 in a series of four live webinars so people can do it on their own time. See www.SongwritingMadeFun.com or phone 604-865-0888. Not only does it help you write a cool song, but many of the people who take it find it to be a powerful vehicle for personal growth and transformation: finding your voice. Literally.
MITL
Music in the Landing is back this Friday, Aug. 4, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Gazebo on Gibsons Wharf with music by the a cappella Gibson Girls: Verna Chan, Susann Richter, Victoria Frodsham, singer/songwriter Lowry Olafson and Paul Steenhuis on guitar. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Visitor Centre, Ken Dunn, guitar, and Anna Green, piano, present original folk-inspired acoustic music. Beside the fish and chips shop, hear Jill Shatford sing and play old time songs on the ukulele from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. For the evening show in Winegarden Park, gather friends and family to hear a double bill starting at 7 p.m. with original rock from The Midds (Ray McNally, vocals, guitar; Jeff Lucas, lead guitar; John Geoffrion, bass; and Jim McEwan, drums). Then, from 7:40 p.m. the jazz/improv trio of Graham Ord, sax, flute; Regan Hadu, drums; and Sacha Fassaert on bass. On Sunday, Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Wanda Nowicki Q’tet perform on the Sundial Stage with Boyd Norman, bass; Anna Lumiere, piano; John Rule, drums; Steve Bagnell, sax; with Kevin Crofton as guest.
Music in the Landing presents a B.C. Day show in Winegarden Park on Monday, Aug. 7. Bring picnic blankets, chairs and sunhats to enjoy the double bill of the Gibsons Pipe Band at 1 p.m. followed by Chicago blues from the Steve Hinton Band with Hinton on vocals and harmonica; Al Alford, guitar; Sully Antonyk, bass; and Tim Rannard on drums.
Roots music
Sunshine Roots MusicFest takes place on Sunday, Aug. 6 of the long weekend. Come be part of the community of One Love vibration. From 1 to 4 p.m. there’s an acoustic jam (bring your voice and instruments), a picnic and family time. At 4 p.m. is the opening ceremony followed by music into the night with Jesse O’Leary (acoustic advocacy); DreamOwl (Michael Lacoste, live looping); DJ Gregory (roots reggae); Monty Montego and the Rocksteady Crew (reggae band); Paola (reggaeton Latin beats and more); The FunkDealer (dancehall, dub, ragga bass). Enjoy the exquisite setting of Crystal Creek Nature Retreat on the foothills of Mt. Elphinstone. Tickets for $25 (under 12 free) and ride sharing are at www.share-there.com. Camping is available on site.
Garlic Fest
Persephone Brewing in Gibsons hosts a Garlic Festival on B.C. Day, Monday, Aug. 7 in the afternoon. The free event features farm produce, food vendors and farmers’ games such as the garlic toss and log sawing competition.
City festival
The Harmony Arts Festival is set to showcase artists in West Vancouver. Sechelt artist Brian Romer will be a participant in the ArtSpeaks program during the festival and will also be part of the Showcase Exhibition at the Silk Purse Gallery, on the beach (15th and Argyle), from Aug. 4 to 13. The opening reception is Aug. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. At the end of this year’s Harmony Arts Festival, Romer and a North Shore watercolourist, Alfonso Tejada, will spend an hour painting side by side near the water by the Ferry Building Gallery in Ambleside. Stop by on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Full circle
FibreWorks Gallery holds their 10th anniversary celebration featuring artwork by many of the artists who have exhibited at FibreWorks during the past 10 years. The exhibition continues from now to Sept. 10. Phone 604-883-2380 for more or email [email protected]. View details at www.fibreworksgallery.com
Volunteers needed
Do you have a couple of hours to spare on Saturday, Aug. 19 or Sunday, Aug. 20? Why not volunteer to welcome visitors at one of the gates for the 30th annual Hackett Park Arts & Crafts Fair. The event, produced by the Sunshine Arts Council, is a favourite event for locals and visitors alike. Call 604-885-5412 or see sunshinecoastartscouncil.com/hackett-park.
Keep me posted
Please continue to send me your arts announcements, but note that they will run in the newspaper one day to one week ahead only. Deadline is Tuesday at noon for next Friday’s paper. Email [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692.
