The Showcase of the Performing Arts (SOPA), two to three weeks of music, dance and theatre at the Gibsons' Heritage Playhouse, was traditionally performed in the summer heat of July.
But no longer. Welcome to the new face of SOPA - in April.
"When SOPA started, 11 years ago, there was nothing going on in July in Gibsons and that was the reason for choosing those dates," said theatre manager Zeta Gaudet.
The shows were fundraisers for the theatre that is operated by the Gibsons Landing Heritage Society, and money was always needed - for new lighting, black curtains and a host of other maintenance issues for the heritage building.
"But now, July is totally busy with Music in the Landing and other events for free," she added.
She doesn't blame the public for wanting to be outdoors, but explains that the theatre needs to raise funds, and local performers need to earn money from their share of the SOPA proceeds. By holding SOPA events throughout the year, instead of in July, everyone benefits.
"I want to have a minimum of eight events a year," she said. "I can tap into performers on tour instead of having to fit them into the July time frame."
So it is that musician Shari Ulrich, now on tour, will be in concert at the Heritage Playhouse on April 14.
But before that, another SOPA event takes place April 12 and 13 - Lapse in Time from the local DSdanse Contemporary Youth Dance Company, who have been enjoying a busy year under the artistic direction of Dominique Hutchinson.
This year's DSdanse consists of about 20 juniors and seniors, 10 to 18 years of age. November marked the first of their season's performances at a gallery opening where they moved the audience with a powerful dance to the music of Leonard Cohen.
In March the company made their way to what has become an annual event at Burnaby's Shadbolt Centre of Arts to join with Youth in Motion dancers for a day of rehearsals followed by an evening show where they performed two of their own pieces and one collaborative work.
Like DSdanse, Youth in Motion is a committed and focused youth company with dancers aged nine to 18 under the artistic direction of Leslie Dyer and Jeannine Miller. The Coast's own Alison Denham worked with the company as guest choreographer to create a piece, Ascending, which will be performed in Lapse in Time.
Although Hutchinson is considered the group's choreographer, she encourages dancers to build their own pieces and work with others.
Lapse in Time is full of surprises and a strong blend of styles including performances by special guests, Youth in Motion. Gaudet, who has a strong dance background, describes it as "an interesting performance with collaborative choreography from the dancers themselves."
Sunday's concert presents Ulrich, who has released 17 albums as a solo artist and as part of various groups, garnering her two Juno Awards and an induction into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame.
She first hit the stage as one-third of the Pied Pumkin ensemble. The Pumkins, Ulrich, Joe Mock and Rick Scott, became the voice of B.C. music for an entire generation.
Die-hard Pumkin fans recall Ulrich's violin, mandolin, flute, dulcimer, guitar and saxophone as well as her voice. When the Pumkins got back together, Ulrich was there, as well as making an award-winning children's album, Pumkids.
The dance performance, Lapse in Time, is on Friday, April 12, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets are at Gaia's Fair Trade, Laedeli and the Sechelt Visitor Centre for $17 for adults and $13 for children (12 and under).
Ulrich performs on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the same outlets. More information can be found at www.heritageplayhouse.com or by calling 604-886-8998.
