From Monday, April 7, to Friday, April 25, Festival 2014, the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts, takes place.
This 41st annual celebration of talented Coast musicians, singers and dancers is presented in morning, afternoon or evenings, weekdays in various Coast locations. Performers are adjudicated and have an opportunity to shine in front of an audience. Community audiences are encouraged to attend, and donations at the door are appreciated. More detailed information is available at www.coastfestival.com or by contacting Sue Milne at [email protected] or 604-886-1255.
GPAG shows
The Gibsons Public Art Gallery (GPAG) has a pair of art exhibitions opening this weekend.
When Stones Speak, an installation by artist Pauline Lawson, runs from April 3 to 28 in the Eve Smart Gallery. The opening reception is this Saturday, April 5, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The second exhibition is entitled "my conversation with nature," an exhibition by artist Marleen Vermeulen, which also runs until April 28. Her opening reception is also this Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. All are welcome. See www.gibsonspublicartgallery.ca for more.
FibreWorks show
There's an exciting season planned for FibreWorks Studio & Gallery, beginning with Materialize - an exhibition by the Sunshine Coast Surface Design Association.
A talented group of artists working with fibres, fabrics and multi-media will showcase their collection beginning Saturday, April 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. with an opening reception at the Madeira Park location. Many of the artists will be in attendance to answer questions about their inspirations and techniques.Find out more at 604-883-2380 or view details at www.fibreworksgallery.com.
Art for the Inner I
Art Therapist Rose Clarke returns to the Arts Building in Gibsons with a new workshop, The Carousel, a fun and interesting creative process for encouragementof your personalaesthetic.All materials are provided.
The workshop is this Sunday, April 6, from 2 to 5 p.m. and fee is $40.Information and registration is at www.artsbuilding.com,or call 604-886-9129.
Harbour Art
From April 7 to 17, the Harbour Gallery will be exhibiting Watercolours Only by member artist Nefri Lyske.Her first medium choice is usually oils.Because of her travels, she has explored various mediums and found watercolour to be the easiest when on the move.
Enjoy this collection of watercolours during gallery times: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for the duration of the show. The gallery is located in Madeira Park across from the School of Music.
Legion jam
A Sunday afternoon series starts at the Sechelt Legion (604-885-2526) this weekend. There'll be a band playing from 2 to 6 p.m. and anyone who wants is invited to sit in for a few tunes. The inaugural show this Sunday, April 6, is hosted by Joe Stanton and Simon Paradis and has a bluegrass and acoustic theme.
The April 13 show features Back Porch Reunion (Dale Stavroff, guitar and ukulele; Al Burns, drums; Ian McLatchie, steel guitar) and guests. Back Porch's repertoire ranges from early blues songs by Robert Johnson and the Mississippi Sheiks to country and western swing standards by Hank Williams and Bob Wills. Larrie Cook and the Bluesmasters will appear on April 20.
Searchlight on musicians
If you ever doubted that we have a wealth of musicians on the Sunshine Coast, check out CBC's Searchlight competition to find the best regional music makers and give them air play. You can listen to their songs and vote easily with one click to help our local folks get ahead in a tough business. In no particular order, here's a list of those entering the competition: Ray McNally, Verna Chan, Skye Wallace, Janet Panic, Mark Crissinger, Stanton Paradis, Brett Wildeman, Kaeli McArter, Charlotte Wrinch, John Lyle. I may have missed some - and I'm sure you'll let me know! Go to CBCmusic.ca and look for the yellow Searchlight voting icon. (Sunshine Coast is considered to be in the Vancouver region.) Votes must be in by April 6, so don't delay.
Howe Sound
Local recording artist Paul Dwyer has quietly released his first solo CD under his pseudonym, Minimus Rex. Howe Sound is an instrumental album of contemporary electronica influenced by jazz, classical and world beats."Some people have called it 'New New Age'," Dwyer says. "For me it's been a conversation between sensibilities; as a drummer I crave structure and pattern, but the writer in me strives to break free from that. Add in all the engineering and production tools available to composers today, and you pretty much need an alter ego to take some of the load. That's Rex, and he lives in my computer."
Howe Sound is available on iTunes or in local stores. For more see: www.minimusrex.com.
Speech contest
You are invited to the 2014 Toastmasters speech and evaluation contest, presented by Morningstars Toastmasters Club. Come and enjoy an afternoon of inspiring speeches delivered by Sunshine Coast Toastmasters, on Saturday, April 5, 2 to 4 p.m. at Harmony Hall in Gibsons. See www.morningstarsbc.wordpress.com
Coffeehouse
On Friday, April 11 the School of Music coffeehouse in Madeira Park presentsPatti Soos and Robin Townsend, piano, guitar and vocals; Back Porch Reunion, Cajun, blues group; Definitely Diva, a vocal trio offering jazz, blues, R & B.
Admission is $10. Coffee, tea and delicious desserts will be available. Doors open at 7 and music starts at 7:30 p.m. To perform or for information, call Joanne at 604-883-9749.
Tuesday deadline
Send me notice of your arts events by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for Friday's paper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Keep it brief, please.
