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Art Beat: Diverse arts community communicates passion

Here's what's on in the Coast arts scene this week!
A.Michael Christie
Author Michael Christie will be featured at a Literary Reading Series online event on April 9.

On Sunday, April 3, the Coast Recital Society will conclude its 2021-2022 concert season with an afternoon of chamber music featuring the Kayaleh-Dolin-Blaha Piano Trio.

Violinist Laurence Kayaleh, who made her first appearance with the Coast Recital Society two years ago, will be joined by Montreal cellist Elizabeth Dolin and pianist Bernadene Blaha, a faculty member at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

In Kayaleh's Paris debut several years ago, the music critic of Le Figaro described her playing as “regal,” and praised her “wonderful sound and innate sense of phrasing.”

Elizabeth Dolin is recognized as one of Canada’s finest cellists, in demand as a recitalist and chamber musician throughout Canada and the United States, and as soloist with major Canadian orchestras. 

Piano and Keyboard magazine has reviewed Bernardene Blaha as “a pianist of integrity, with lovely sonorities and total clarity of line.” 

The matinee performance takes place at the Raven's Cry Theatre at 2:30 p.m. For tickets email [email protected] or phone: 604 885-0991.

A cappella mastery of ancient mysteries

To mark the beginning of the millennia-old festival of the Passion, the MOTET chamber choir is presenting The Rosary Project: Sorrowful Mysteries, a program of music to guide listeners through the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

MOTET is a Vancouver-based chamber ensemble composed of young musicians passionate about bringing sacred choral music to audiences throughout the region. It last appeared in January with a program of traditional Christmas chant and choral music.

The upcoming program invites meditation as MOTET sings the prayers of the Christian Church as realized by composers including Byrd, Duruflé, Morales, and Tchaikovsky.

A donation of $15–25 is suggested for admission. Belief in a deity (Christian or otherwise) is not required to enjoy the concert, which promotes reflection and tranquility.

The Rosary Project: Sorrowful Mysteries offers two performances: April 2 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Port Coquitlam, and April 3 at 7 p.m. at St. St. Mary's Catholic Church (956 Gibsons Way).

Film society continues to flower

The upcoming Sunshine Coast Film Society screening of Wild Rose will proceed on April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt, and April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse.

This 2018 British musical drama blends contemporary Scottish culture with the allure of American country music.

Tickets are available at the door for moviegoers 18 and older. Proof of vaccination is required, and masks are recommended. Details are at www.scfs.ca  

Local artists have sights set on High Beam Dreams

The High Beam Dreams event centre in Gibsons has announced an upcoming concert by three renowned Sunshine Coast performing artists.

In the Round will feature Jim Foster, Deborah Holland and Michael Friedman in a performance starting at 6:30 p.m. on April 9.

Jim Foster’s career has spanned five decades punctuated by numerous hit singles. Originally known in Canada as the leader of the band Fosterchild, he has since played in bands, toured solo and collaborated with some of the country's greatest songwriters. 

Singer-songwriter Deborah Holland is not content to rest on her laurels of six solo albums, or her two albums singing with the band Animal Logic. The U.S.-born and raised Holland is now a Coast resident and a frequent local performer.

Michael Friedman appeared recently at High Beam Dreams as part of the Humanitarian Fundraiser for Ukraine. A lifelong touring performer, recording artist, and TV composer, Friedman has released numerous solo albums as well as recordings by his folk noir trio FFM (Friedman, Fortin & Masich).

Ticket information is available at www.highbeamdreams.com

Author’s reading to be literally captivating

On April 9, the Sunshine Coast Arts Council’s Literary Reading Series will present its final author of the season: Michael Christie.  

Christie is the multi-award winning author of two novels (If I Fall, If I Die and Greenwood) and a collection of short stories (The Beggar’s Garden).

Christie will be reading from Greenwood, a novel that seamlessly melds literary genres through a family saga that covers four generations in a dystopian future.

The event takes place via Zoom and is free of charge. To register, browse to: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/literary-reading-series-michael-christie-tickets-246671339617 

Foolish Man to be a crowning achievement

Just announced is an afternoon performance of David King’s original songs to be rendered lovingly by a full band of top-tier musicians and vocalists on May 1 at 2 p.m.

The show Foolish Man has been assembled to honour the unique songwriting of David King, a legendary Sunshine Coast playwright, actor and musician. The program will include music ranging from catchy upbeat numbers to heartbreaking ballads, and King's distinctively clever lyrics.

Foolish Man will take place at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse on May 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets ($25) are available at One Flower One Leaf Gallery and Gibsons Florist—or online at eventbrite.ca/e/foolish-man-the-songs-of-david-king-tickets-262263997677.