You’ve been dining out to music in Gibsons all last week and now the main event, the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival, kicks off this Friday, June 15, at 8 p.m. with the Tom Keenlyside Quartet (Bill Coon, guitar, Kerry Galloway, bass, and Buff Allen, drums) at St. Bart’s Church. On Saturday, June 16 on Gower Point Road the main stage opens at noon with Mimosa (Rebecca Shoichet on vox, Karen Graves on sax and flute, Adam Thomas on vox and bass, John Rule on drums, Anna Lumiere on keys). The headliner this year is the Laila Biali Trio at 2:25 p.m. on the main stage. Look for the SD46 Jazz Band, and the Nick La Riviera Septet that closes the day at 4 p.m. Two bands play that evening: Rakish Angles at the former Gibsons United Church site and for danceable Motown soul, try the Adam Robert Thomas Band at the Gibsons Legion.
Sunday, June 17 opens with a Jazz Brunch at Leo’s with Steve Maddock and Steve Giltrow playing. Phone for reservations at 604-886-9414 for this popular event. Sunday in Winegarden Park is free admission, starting at 1:30 p.m. and you can hear the Creek Big Band, Take 5 and Deanna Knight and the Hot Club of Mars.
This year the Jazz Vespers event at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church goes Mississippi Delta blues courtesy of the Blues Busters (Ron Campbell, Dennis Fox and Walter Martella). This traditional wind-up to the Gibsons Landing Jazz Fest is on Sunday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. and is a contemplative service of music and spoken word. Admission is by donation (suggested $10 per person) at the door. Details are listed at www.coastjazz.com
Canadian Play
After a successful run in Sechelt, The Wildflower Book, an engrossing play of Canadian pioneer spirit by Louise Phillips, moves to the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16, at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 (18 and under $10) at the door.
Frank Fundraiser
The Roberts Creek Legion is hosting a fundraiser for Frank L. McElroy this Friday, June 15. Please come and support him and enjoy live music and dance. Frank plans to attend for some of the evening, which will feature house band A.D.D. and special guests. A.D.D. front man Alex Rolland will emcee. It starts at 7 p.m. or you can come early and have dinner starting at 6 p.m. for $12. Creekers and the whole Coast have been so loving and generous. Frank has been home for two months and is receiving palliative care while friends are providing excellent meals for him on certain nights. Partner Heather Conn thanks everyone for all you have done. If you haven’t donated to Frank’s GoFundMe account and would like to, see www.gofundme.com/help-with-frank039s-medical-bills
Pride Reception
On Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. all are welcome at the Pride reception for This Is Who I Am, part of Pride celebrations on the Coast. The event celebrates artists Sheryl McDougald and Noel Silver and their powerful art show at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, Sechelt.
Living Salish Sea
Join the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) and Dogwood for a screening of Sarama’s film, This Living Salish Sea, on Monday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at Gibsons Heritage Theatre. This documentary explores the living treasures underwater and the resistance that is coming together to defend it. Filmmaker Sarama will address this special presentation and staff from Dogwood and SCCA will take your questions. Help raise money for the legal defence of fellow citizens defying court injunctions. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and film starts at 7 p.m. A donation of $10 is suggested. Seating is limited.
Queer Doc
Queer Projections will screen a feature documentary starring Les Ballets Trocadero de Monte Carlo during Sunshine Coast Pride celebrations at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 22. Admission is by donation at the door. The all-male, comic ballet company was founded over 40 years ago on the heels of New York’s Stonewall riots and has been delighting fans around the world ever since. Rebels on Pointe juxtaposes behind-the-scenes access, rich archives and history, intimate character-driven stories and amazing dance performances. See queerprojections.ca for more. Other Pride Celebration events and information is available at sunshinecoastpride.com
Jess Hart
Singer/songwriter Jess Hart announced the launch of her second album Sex & Bureaucracy, released June 1 (www.jesshart.com). The release party was at Kulturcafe Lichtung in Cologne, Germany, featuring a performance and tour dates in Deutschland. She returns to the Coast for an acoustic show at Persephone Beer Farm on July 28. A follow up to her debut album Incorporated, Hart experiments with a fusion of electronic music and alternative rock to produce a unique sound, described as a Millennial Dystopian Lullaby. Integrating a smartphone and cutting edge apps into the creation and production process, Sex & Bureaucracy is available through Spotify, iTunes and Amazon.com and various digital stores.
Message Me
Please send notice of your arts and entertainment events to my email: [email protected] or phone 604-741-9360. Items go into the Art Beat column one day to one week ahead only, depending on space. Deadline is Tuesday noon for Friday’s paper.
