Every August the Coast teems with festivals and events. Here’s an update on several of the finest.
• Festival of the Written Arts opens on Thursday, Aug. 16 with Carol Off, Canadian radio host turned author, and continues with 21 speakers on stage at Rockwood Centre in Sechelt, throughout the weekend of Aug. 17 to 19. Tickets sell out quickly, but there’s always a bit more room in the giant pavilion. See www.writersfestival.ca for schedule and ticket info.
• The Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival runs from Aug. 17 to 19 in Madeira Park at the School of Music. The first concert on Friday at 1:30 p.m., with Rising Tide, is free for the public and the weekend continues with ticketed concerts that include the Lafayette String Quartet, among other musicians. For more and tickets see www.penderharbourmusic.ca.
• The Rogue Arts Festival takes over a field near Wilson Creek for a three-day event of music, art exhibits, performances, workshops, food and fun Aug. 24 to 26. See www.roguefest.ca for tickets and a list of who’s on the concert stage. Consider volunteering for this festival.
• The 40th annual Creek Daze (since 1978) is on Saturday, Aug. 11 in Roberts Creek. Share your Creek stories at the RC Community Association’s booth and enjoy events including a book sale, the Higgledy-Piggledy parade, music and stories between the music acts. Volunteers are needed. See more at www.robertscreekcommunity.com.
Harbour Days
Celebrate Pender Harbour Days Aug. 3 to 5 around the Madeira Park wharf. Events feature historical boats, heritage and cultural displays, sailing competitions combined with arts, music, kids’ activities and entertainment. On Friday evening enjoy the boat parade around Pender Harbour. Saturday is for free family activities: mini boat building, heritage displays, music, community groups, vendors, demos and more. On Sunday hear a heritage talk with stories from locals and experts. See penderharbourdays.ca for more.
Music on the Coast
• Ken Dunn and Anna Green perform at Music in the Landing at the gazebo on the wharf this Friday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. Music continues on Saturday with the Blue Line Duo and Dr. Fun at 11 a.m., two youthful fiddlers at the Pink House in the afternoon and Funktete in Winegarden Park starting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday features Peter Hill and Pamela Girone with blues and standards at 11 a.m. at Holland Park. Music in the Landing is on again on holiday Monday, Aug. 6, with the Gibsons Pipe Band starting at 1 p.m. followed by the Steve Hinton Band in Winegarden Park.
• Slow Sundays in Roberts Creek ambles up to the mike at about noon on Aug. 5 with the Loose Endings Ukulele Enthusiasts and others who like to join in. From 1:15 to 3:30 p.m., hear Double Treble and Friends play Celtic, jazz and more.
• Sechelt Summer Music Series continues on the lawn stage by the Library this Saturday, Aug. 4 with Janet Panic at noon and Funktete at 1 p.m.
This Weekend
• Live music is on at the Gumboot Café on Saturday, Aug. 4 with the Simon Paradis Trio, Farm Team. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. It’s $15 at the door.
• Nikki Weber presents Women Who Love to Sing featuring the new J Tones Trio (Joy Germaine, Joan Vernon and Jan Gillis) and many singing friends on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. at the Pender Harbour School of Music. Tickets are $22 at Strait Music in Sechelt, or by phone to Nikki at 604-740-0933.
Live at GPAG
Gooberville Multimedia presents on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery with live performances by Sara Gold, purveyor of analogue and vintage synthesizers. Gold’s work is highly experimental while drawing heavily from minimalism and techno. Nervous Operator is one of the folks behind Sacred Sound Club, a DIY organization dedicated to booking international, cutting-edge, underground electronic music in Vancouver. Nervous Operator combines cold and airy ambience with dub rhythms. Also there will be a DJ set by Opponent Processes, another of the Sacred Sound Club crew. She is one of Vancouver’s most active and forward thinking DJs. This concert is all ages – children are welcome. It starts at 7 p.m. with live performances from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is a $10 donation for the show to pay for the space and performers and to keep these activities going. Refreshments are available. All ticket holders for the event will receive $1 off pints at Tapworks after the concert. Tapworks (behind the gallery) is open until midnight.
Message Me
Please send notice of your arts and entertainment events to my email: jandegrass@dccnet.com or phone 604-741-9360. Deadline is Tuesday noon for Friday’s paper.
