Harmonica virtuoso Carlos del Junco is returning to the Sunshine Coast to perform with his band the Blues Mongrels for a 2 p.m. concert on Sunday, March 10 at Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. Carlos has outstanding skill and a unique playing style, which blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz. The Sunshine Coast Jazz and Entertainment Society is hosting. Tickets are $25 at Laedeli Gifts and Cards, Strait Music, One Flower One Leaf Gallery, www.share-there.com or at the door.
Star on ice
Few resumes are as impressive as figure skater Patrick Chan’s. He’s an Olympic gold and silver medalist, a three-time world champion and ten-time Canadian champion. Chan will be performing at Gibsons and Area Community Centre on Saturday, March 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The show will also feature Olympic skater Larkyn Austman. Adults $30 (+$2.52 fees), children $20 (+$2.52 fees), from Gibsons Rona, Trail Bay Source for Sports, The Medicine Shoppe, and www.share-there.com
Cinderella Ballet
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Dance Works Academy in Gibsons takes its bright young talent down the road to the Heritage Playhouse to perform Cinderella: A Full Length Ballet. The show will feature students from the school’s Ballet and Acrobatic Program and some “special guest performers.” There will be three shows: Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 adult, $15 seniors and students from Kenmac Auto Parts and Peggy Sue’s.
Great music mix
The Pender Harbour School of Music Coffee House offers an eclectic line-up on Friday evening, March 8. There’s singer, songwriter and guitarist Simon Paradis with some original tunes; jazz, pop and blues with Shine, featuring Nancy Pincombe on vocals accompanied by pianist Ken Johnson; and the Smoking Crowns Jam Band, who’ll cover hits from the ‘60s. Doors open 7 p.m., the music starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a suggested $10 donation.
Regaling and restoring
You’ll hear some wonderful music from an impressive line-up at the Music Arising Gala Concert at St. Hilda’s Church in Sechelt on Sunday, March 10. Performers include Katherine Hume, Kathryn Caswell, Kevin Roy, David Poon, the A Cappella Strait Choir, Pender Harbour Choir, Reflections Women’s Choir, and Vocal Intent. Entry is $30 and all proceeds go to support St. Hilda’s Restoration Fund. Tickets are at Upstairs and Downstairs Shoppe, EarthFair Store, MELOmania and Laedeli Gifts and Cards.
Trudi and Bill and Steve
The threesome of Trudi Diening on vocals, and Bill Coon and Steve Giltrow on guitars entertain at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Gibsons on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Laedeli Gifts and Cards, One Flower One Leaf Gallery, Strait Music, www.share-there.com, and at the door.
Fisherman poet
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council’s Reading Series continues at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 9 with Joe Denham. Coast-born Denham is “both an excellent poet and, no doubt, an excellent fisherman, and this is important, since the two careers interact and inform one another.” At the Arts Centre in Sechelt. Doors at 7 p.m.; admission is by donation.
Art demos
Gibsons Public Art Gallery is offering two demonstrations this weekend by artists currently exhibiting there. Chantal Cardinal does remarkable things with wool and exotic fabrics and will share some techniques from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. Then painter Katarina Meglic talks about her methods with oil and mixed media, from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.
Puppy Tales
Gibsons Public Art Gallery is hosting a live-mic night on Thursday, March 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. Emcee-producer Janice Williams invites you to come up with a five-minute tribute to your pooch, or perhaps pooches in general. “But if you have an irresistible impulse to emote about your kitten, please feel free,” Williams adds.
Fiddler off the charts
Kudos to the SD46 Music Theatre Ensemble for its outstanding production of Fiddler on the Roof through seven recent shows at Chatelech Secondary School Theatre. The acting and singing performances were strong and mature, the music and dance arrangement were terrific. Imagine 50 young people on the stage in flawless, counter-moving concentric circles while singing the rousing anthem Tradition in full-throated harmony. That number alone was worth the price of admission. It just got better and funnier and more touching from there.
Looking ahead
Singer Tia Brazda brings her jazz-pop gems and her six-piece band to High Beam Dreams in Gibsons for a “retro dance night” on Saturday, March 16. Brazda is an accomplished touring festival performer and recording artist who will put on a memorable, high-energy show. Advance tickets are $25 at the usual outlets and online at www.share-there.com, $30 at the door. Priority seating corporate tables are also available. Contact [email protected]
Submissions
If you have an event you’d like considered for Art Beat, please let us know by 11 a.m. Tuesday at [email protected]. Space is limited.
