Things are going to warm up on the dance floor at Roberts Creek Hall on Saturday, Jan. 18 when Soulstream brings their party-hearty rhythm and blues back to the Coast. Singer Rebecca Shoichet and local sax-master Karen Graves, both also of Vancouver-Sunshine Coast band Mimosa, join in the fun as part of the ten-piece, three-time Juno-Award-winning ensemble. Their repertoire includes tunes by Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Tower of Power, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Incognito, Stevie Wonder, and more. The event is a fundraiser for the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Tickets are $30 at The Kube Studio, MELOmania, and Strait Music.
Ghosts of Graffiti
Gibsons Public Art Gallery has just opened a unique exhibit, and probably the first one ever on the Coast to suggest you download a smartphone app to enhance your gallery visit. Ghosts of Graffiti is made up of colourful, abstract images from decades of graffiti in Molly’s Lane in Gibsons. Captured in photographs taken over the years by Gerald Shaffer and curated by Shaffer and vintage public-art afficionado Beau Smith, the images have been transferred to large canvasses as giclees, digital ink-jet prints. Just to remind us we’re living in the 21st century, the exhibit offers an extra dimension of information on the hung works through the free, augmented-reality smartphone app Eyejack. Following the 2 to 4 p.m. opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 18, mural artists Ben Tour and Dean Schutz will offer a live demo from 4 to 6 p.m.
Arctic drama
The Sunshine Coast Film Society presents The Grizzlies, a feature film based on the true story of a young Canadian high school teacher who signs up for a stint teaching history to kids in Kugluktuk, Nunavut. The “funny, tragic, and inspiring” story traces the struggle of youth living in a grievous climatic and social environment. Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at Raven’s Cry Theatre and Monday, Jan. 20 and Tuesday the 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
Red Birds
Off the Page presents multi-award-winning Vancouver writer Aaron Bushkowsky’s play Red Birds, Sunday, Jan. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. “A comedy about finding out your true identity and mistakenly falling in love,” it’s the story of financially struggling bird photographer Carol, her new love interest, Carol’s wise-cracking adoptive mother, her millionaire birth mother, and crabby daughter, all of whom help complicate matters. “A heart-warming comedy about family and relationships.” Featuring reading performers Wanda Nowicki, Dawn Allen, Amy King, Aaron Pearl and Marcia Forst. Admissions by donation.
Words and images
Vancouver writer and illustrator Christina Leist gives a storytelling and drawing workshop for kids from kindergarten to Grade 3 on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gibsons Library. Free with registration at 604-886-2130.
Jazz homage
Vocalist Andrea Superstein brings her combo to the School of Music in Pender Harbour for a concert on Sunday, Jan. 19. “Her lush voice and smoky delivery pay fond homage to Lena, Peggy and Ella – the legendary ladies of jazz.” Showtime is 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 through penderharbourmusic.ca.
More music
• On Friday, Jan. 17, Jim Taylor provides an entertaining one-man-band performance for a dinner and dance at the Seniors Activity Centre in Sechelt, $23.95 members, $25.95 non-members, dance only $10, 7 p.m.
• The ukulele ensemble Pulling Strings brightens the day on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Gibsons Public Market, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Roberts Creek Legion is hosting an invitational jam on Saturday, Jan. 18, starting at 8 p.m. “Jam with nine separate sets of groups created on the spot.” Each plays for 15 minutes. Facebook message Kelly Backs to get your name on the draw list. The evening also features surf punk dynamos, The Daggers. $10 members, $15 non-members.
• On Sunday the 19th, the Peter Van Trio hosts the Sunday Jam at The Clubhouse Restaurant at Pender Harbour Golf Club, 2 to 6 p.m. Admission by donation.
Heads up
Beloved musician and entertainer Rick Scott celebrates Family Literacy Day with two free concerts (11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) at Roberts Creek Hall on Friday, Jan. 24. And blues maestro David Gogo returns to High Beam Dreams in Gibsons on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tickets for both events available at www.share-there.com.
Submissions
If there’s an event you’d like considered for Art Beat, please let us know by 11 a.m. Tuesday at arts@coastreporter.net. Space is limited and, regrettably, we can’t list everything. Also check Coast Reporter’s Coast Community Calendar for more music and events.
