The forecast assures us that the rainy weather will stay away for the annual Sechelt Festival of Lights community celebration, which is on Saturday, Dec. 1 this year. It starts with the lighting up of Rockwood Centre at 5 p.m. followed by the Festival of Lights parade along Cowrie Street starting at 5:45 p.m. It’s always a glowingly great procession. Prior to the parade, check out Trail Bay Centre for free, child-friendly crafting from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A Christmas musical delight returns
If you’ve ever seen a performance of Winter Harp, you know what a classic seasonal treat it is, for all ages. But you might miss it if you don’t have tickets yet – this perennial, now in its 25th year, regularly sells out. With harps, flute, violin, medieval instruments and attire, percussion, poetry, stories and song, this world-class ensemble always delivers an afternoon of heart-warming celebration. At the Raven’s Cry Theatre, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $35 at Sechelt Visitor Centre and Laedeli Gifts and Cards, Gibsons.
Songs of Angels
Promising to “set a tone of serenity for the festive season,” Songs of Angels, A Choral Concert, will feature music by A Cappella Strait and Choralations Children’s Choir. The program will include choral works by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and “some mesmeric chants from Greece, as well as choral jazz/pop versions of classic Christmas tunes.” Friday, Nov. 30 at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay at 7 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 1, at the Highland Centre in Roberts Creek, 1710 Sunshine Coast Highway (access at 657 Highland Road) at 7 p.m. Tickets $20, $15 for students and seniors, at Sechelt Visitor Centre, Laedeli Gifts and Cards, and at the door.
Bluegrass strains
Legendary mandolinist John Reischman brings his band The Jaybirds to the Sunshine Coast this weekend with their “stylish take on bluegrass that seamlessly blends original songs and instrumentals with Appalachian old-time music for a truly unique band sound.” They’ve been at it for 20 years, with two Juno nominations and seven albums under their belts. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine calls Reischman one of the world’s undisputed masters of the mandolin. Sounds good. Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., Heritage Playhouse. Tickets $20 advance $25 at door, available at Laedeli Gifts and Cards, Sechelt Visitor Centre and share-there.com.
Pottery aplenty
If it’s ceramics you’re looking for, some of the Coast’s master potters invite you to sample their wares this weekend. Creek Clayworks is having their 28th annual Christmas Pottery Sale and Studio Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Elaine Futterman and Mike Allegretti promise exceptional standard pieces along with “new designs, colours and surface treatments” from both the salt kiln and the electric kilns. At 1738 Lockyer Rd. in Roberts Creek.
And ceramic artist Pat Forst is holding her Christmas Open House on Saturday Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring pottery, ceramic murals and sculpture. Much of Forst’s work reflects an unmistakeable signature style, as you can see at forststudio.com, 1040 Chamberlain Rd., Gibsons.
Craft and Christmas fairs galore
You don’t have to go far to bump into a weekend Christmas craft sale, many with work by local artisans. There are too many to mention in a comprehensive list with specifics, most of which can be found in Coast Reporter’s Coast Community Calendar. That said, in Gibsons, there’s The Kube Gallery’s Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday; a handmade jewelry and bake sale at the Arts Building in Gibsons on Saturday; and a wreath-making workshop at the Gibsons Public Market on Tuesday Dec. 4, for which you’re asked to register at cascarabotanics.ca.
In Sechelt, the Knights of Columbus will hold a Winter Fair on Saturday Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Family Church on Nickerson Road; the 13th annual Arts and Crafts from the Hood is at the Seaside Centre, Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sunday Dec. 2, the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden has its Woodland Christmas with storytelling, kids’ crafting, holiday music and a visit from Santa, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. And the Garden grounds will be twinkling with festive lights.
In Pender Harbour, there’s the Serendipity Christmas Craft Fair at Pender Harbour Community Hall on Saturday; the Vintage Christmas Market at Sarah Wray Hall in Garden Bay on Saturday; and the Coast Christmas Market at John Henry’s in Garden Bay, Friday Nov. 30 through Sunday Dec. 2
Art for wildlife
Hundreds of items will be up for bid, including works donated by Sunshine Coast artists, at the Gibsons Wildlife Rehab Centre’s annual silent auction at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons. All proceeds go to help injured wildlife. All day Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1.
An author’s next step
So, You’ve Written a Book: Now What? Gibsons and District Public Library has put together a publishing panel of experts who will share their views about the book-production process, from editorial to distribution, and discuss the advantages and challenges of both traditional publishing and self-publishing. With Rebecca Hendry, Mark Cameron, and Janine Alyson Young. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Submissions
If you have an event you’d like considered for Art Beat, please let Rik know by 11 a.m. Tuesday at arts@coastreporter.net. Space is limited.
