To help address social issues depicted in the recent production of David King’s play The Garage Sale, the Driftwood Players community theatre company donated proceeds from its April 22 performance to the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society.
Last weekend, the cast and crew presented a cheque for $1,500 to the Society’s “Building Together” project, which is working to improve the deficit of affordable housing options on the Coast.
“The performance was amazing — funny, heartwarming, on-point and thought-provoking,” said Vicky O’Rourke, communications coordinator for Sunshine Coast Community Services. “We are so grateful that Driftwood Players chose to support this important community project.”
Suncoast Concert Band springs forward
In spite of drizzly conditions outdoors, the Suncoast Concert Band delivered a sparkling spring performance at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay on Sunday, April 30.
The 30-member ensemble, under the direction of charismatic conductor Tak Maeda, played a selection that stretched from Renaissance courtly dances to sci-fi themes from Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
The group performed three numbers by Vancouver composer Robert Buckley, a close friend of Maeda’s. Tuba soloist Ross Gordon led the way in the toe-tapper Ba-Dum Ba-Dum, while the band sampled a traditional melody of the Skwxwú7mesh Nation in Buckley’s A Gathering of Eagles.
“As you can see, everybody is so enthusiastic,” said Maeda. “After two or three years of silence [due to COVID restrictions], they really want it. I don’t expect big expansion, but even considering the smaller population of the Sunshine Coast, the group is doing very well, and the quality is really good.”
A standing ovation from the full house prompted an encore whose readiness was strongly hinted by Maeda.
One of the band’s sister groups, the Coast Symphony Orchestra, will play on May 28 at a 2:30 p.m. concert at Chatelech Secondary School.
Harmonies in Pender Harbour
The Pender Harbour Choir is planning two performances of its Songs of Spring program in mid-May.
The group is composed of Sunshine Coast choristers under the direction of music director Kenneth Norman Johnson. David Poon will serve as pianist for the performances.
The first concert takes place on Friday, May 12 at the Pender Harbour Music School, in Maderia Park. The next day, Saturday, May 13, the choir will assemble to perform at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden in Sechelt.
Tickets ($25) are available from choir members, at the Earthfair Store in Madeira Park, and at the door. Details are available by browsing to penderharbourmusic.ca.
Get inspired to make a bed
Also coming up in Pender Harbour, a garden tour fundraiser will raise money for the Pender Harbour Reading Centre — while allowing visitors to inspect some of the community’s best-kept garden plots.
The Books ‘n’ Blooms 2023 Tour takes place on May 13 over five hours, starting at 11 a.m. The cost is $35 for participants.
Participants will visit six uniquely designed gardens. The sites include a cluster of three neighbours with mature gardens on the waterfront, a challenging garden situated on a hillside, a gentle perambulation through a newly cultivated garden and a luscious collection of vegetable crops.
Learn more by browsing to penderharbourlibrary.ca.
