This month marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of Louise Baril.
She is long remembered as a dedicated supporter of music on the Sunshine Coast. She was program director of the Countryside Concerts from 1990 to 1994 and was an active member of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, including participation as a board member. The Sunshine Coast Arts Council created the Louise Baril Memorial Music Award in homage of her contributions to the Coast music scene.
To honour the anniversary of her passing, the Baril family is holding a special celebration at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt this Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The evening will include performances by past award recipients Sara Fitzpatrick and Michele Satanove, friends and associates of Baril, many of whom performed at her Celebration of Life 20 years ago, including the Seacoast Chamber Players, Paula Stewart and the Reflections Choir, as well as a performance by this year’s Louise Baril Award winner, Robyn Edgar. Admission is by donation. For more information call 604-885-5412 or see www.scartscouncil.ca.
Art auction
The Pender Harbour Rotary Club hosts its 13th annual art auction fundraiser this Saturday night, Nov. 8, starting at 6 p.m. at the Pender Harbour Legion.
Both the silent and live action will have art for every taste and every budget. Admission is free. Funds raised are used for local and international community projects. Also on offer is a welcoming glass of champagne, appetizers and piano accompaniment by Ken Johnson. The Legion will be offering a dinner, which can be purchased.
Gala for Hospice
The Heart to Heart Gala Fundraiser is an elegant dinner this Saturday, Nov. 8 with entertainment by choristers A Cappella Strait. Included with the ticket is a chance to win the door prize — a painting by Kim LaFave. All proceeds go to Hospice on the Sunshine Coast. The event begins at 5 p.m. and costs $150 per person (includes a $100 tax receipt) at the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek. Order tickets at www.coasthospice.com or call 604-740-0475.
Featured artist
The featured artist now on display for November at the Landing Gallery in Gibsons is Doris Biddle. She is noted for realistic portraits, stunning horses and luminous poppies with the common thread being that all of her work is colourful and happy. She has become especially known for her portrayal of coastal scenes incorporated into a nautical chart.
On Saturday, Nov. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m., an informal presentation by Gary Little titled Navigating Charts Around the Coast will also have a live painting demo from Biddle. The Gallery is at 436 Marine Drive in Gibsons.
Art Crawl stats
The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, presented by the Coast Cultural Alliance, is completing its fifth year and growing. This year there were 141 venues from Langdale to Lund (up 13 per cent from 2013), 21,000 studio visits and more than $162,000 (up 19 per cent from 2013) in recorded sales directly to the artists.
There were more “Crawlers” from off-Coast this year, many from other areas in B.C. and a growing number of visitors from Washington, across Canada and internationally from Australia to Japan.
Winners of the passport draws were Marilyn Sadick of Gibsons, Jim Quirk of Sechelt, and Susan Armstrong from Mission.
Coffeehouse
The Pender Harbour School of Music coffeehouse takes place next Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment is by Coast performers on the second Friday of each month. Suggested donation at the door is $10. Delicious refreshments are available. See: www.penderharbourmusic.ca for more details.
