The Music Makers Fall Celebration is on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay. In addition to the adult choir, Definitely Diva, Anagram and Reg and Lynne, there will be an appearance from the newer Gospel Choir. Lynne Dickson writes that “what started out as a choir for the terrified has morphed into a 35-member gospel choir with some folks joining in from Shorncliffe. It has been an amazing experience.” Tickets are $15 available at Sechelt Visitor Centre, Laedeli in Gibsons or from Music Makers.
Crissinger Returns
Mark Crissinger is a 2017 Maple Blues Award nominee who now lives on Vancouver Island, though he considers the Sunshine Coast the birthplace of his solo career. It is here he wrote his first two solo albums, developed his one-man show and played two Pender Harbour Blues Festivals. Since 2009, he has released five solo albums and toured extensively. Blending traditional themes with clever lyrics and modern arrangements, Crissinger’s songs capture his singer-songwriter soul and the blues in his heart.
“It’s very exciting to be back on the Coast,” he said. “I’m sure there will be a few surprise guest musicians sitting in.”
This Friday, Nov. 24, he hosts a blues dance party at the Gibsons Legion with a full band including Peter Van Deursen on keys and Tim Rannard on drums. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Fibres Plus
The annual Fibres Plus sale by Sunshine Coast Spinners and Weavers Guild members is on Nov. 24 and 25. Find hand-spun, woven, dyed, and felted items for sale, many from local fibre and dyes crafted by local fibre artisans. It runs on Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt.
Sing with Coco
Coco Love Alcorn invites Gibsons to sing along with her on An Invitation to Sing national concert and songbook release tour, including songs of her latest album Wonderland, and celebrating the album’s two award nominations (Canadian Folk Music Award - Contemporary Singer of the Year, Nova Scotia Music Award - Folk Recording of the Year). The songs of Wonderland have been covered by over 100 choirs.
A few years ago, she felt inspired by the raw passion and spirit of gospel music, a room filled with voices, stomping and clapping and the spirit of community. She experimented with layering her voice through a looping machine, creating rich harmonies and rhythms.
She’s at Heritage Play-house on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance at cocogibsons.bpt.me or $25 at the door.
Q’tet
The Wanda Nowicki Q’tet appears at the Gumboot Café on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. The vocalist will perform with Ken Dalgleish, Boyd Norman and John Rule. Admission is $10.
This Weekend
Three-time Juno nominee jazz vocalist Kate Hammett Vaughan sings for you on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Gibsons Public Market accompanied by Steve Giltrow on guitar. Cocktails at 7 p.m. and music at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance at the Market, WOW Gallery in Sunnycrest Mall and Strait Music, Sechelt.
Open House
Creek Clayworks is having their annual Christmas Pottery Sale and Studio Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Elaine Futterman and Mike Allegretti invite you to join them at 1738 Lockyer Rd. in Roberts Creek when the studio will be completely filled with pots. You’ll find new designs, colours and surface treatments incorporated into new work from both the salt kiln and the electric kilns. Find out more about the techniques they use, and enjoy the cookies and coffee. For more information, phone 604-885-2395 or see www.creekclayworks.ca
BG at 101
On Saturday, Nov. 25 at The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery in Gibsons, Devora and Woody of The Burying Ground will be performing as a duo. They have a lively and gritty sound with tight harmony and a driving rhythm section reminiscent of the music of the juke joints and jazz halls of the 1920s and ‘30s. See www.theburyingground.com for more. Music is 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. with no cover. Donations are appreciated.
Music Week
On Sunday, Nov. 26 audience is welcome to a Canada Music Week Recital featuring students performing the work of Canadian composers. Music teachers are offering a $150 prize for Best Original Composition from participants. Show is at 2 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons with admission by donation.
Cellist Concert
As a result of the 2017 eighth annual ANCA World Autism Festival, a Japanese cellist will visit the Coast and will perform from his CDs on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Red Cedar Woman (#1 - 5477 Wharf Rd. in Sechelt, behind the Coast Reporter building at Royal Terraces). Nozomu Ehara has created productions inclusively in the community with autistic, Down and other marginalised populations. A native of Japan and the first cellist with the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra for 15 years, he recently attended the ANCA World Autism Festival, performing in collaboration with a delegation from Japan and the Puka Puka non-profit organization.
Ehara will perform from his album Hidamari (the title means “people gather in the light of the sun”) as well as from the CD Gauche, inviting local musicians to play, spontaneously and collaboratively.
Heart Full
Heart Full, an exhibition and sale of works by Susanne Biden, opens Tuesday, Nov. 28 to Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery with a reception and celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. Heart Full is a celebration of a creative life well lived, an exhibition of the last remaining works of ceramic artist Susanne Biden, former Sunshine Coast resident.
From the artist: “I make art in order to speak what would otherwise remain unspoken. Expressing depths of feeling in clay is easier for me and more satisfying than using the spoken or written word. In my work, I am drawn again and again to the edge between seductive beauty and images that are repellent. Eliciting these reactions is the focus of my work.”
Viewing times are Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information, Michael Aze at 604-886-0531.
Sh-Boom
Sunshine Coast icon Nikki Weber has organised what promises to be a fabulous show starring the very entertaining Sh-Boom in a come-back performance. The original members – Mike Weber, Colin Mailey and Kenny Gustafson – are now joined by the very talented Boyd Norman.
Also appearing as a special guest on the programme is Maddy Weber and a new women’s vocal group, The J-Tones Trio. Joy Germaine, Joan Vernon and Jan Gillis have performed together over the years, but this is their first gig as a trio. All the vocalists will be accompanied by the gifted pianist Miles Black with Kristian Braathen on drums and Sacha Fassaert on guitar.
The show is at the Sechelt Legion on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at Strait Music, MELOmania, The Black-berry Shop and Friends. For more information, contact Nikki at 604-740-0933.
Writers’ Evening
Calling all writers! This monthly free event is open to all levels, all genres and even works in progress. Each writer will have five minutes to share their latest work, listen to others and get to know and network with other writers on the Coast. Come on Nov. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. to the Arts Building in Gibsons. If you want to read, email sunshinecoastspeakers@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Winter Harp
Winter Harp is back this season at the Raven’s Cry Theatre on Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. This very popular show is already sold out, but just in case, here’s a number you can call to check availability: 604-684-2787.
Learn Latin
Learn to Latin Dance at the Sechelt Activity Centre (5604 Trail Ave.) with Sandra Cordero Ocaranza. Come work out to upbeat music and learn bachata, mambo, samba and more. It’s on every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. for $5.
Keep Me Posted
Please continue to send me your arts announcements, but note they will run in the newspaper one day to one week ahead, depending on space. Deadline is Tuesday at noon for next Friday’s paper. Email jandegrass@dccnet.com or phone 604-886-4692.
