Adding to euphonious outdoor summer music offerings in Gibsons and Sechelt, the annual Slow Sundays in Roberts Creek series will launch this weekend, on July 6.
The event on Sunday begins at noon with the Beachcombers Ukulele Group (also known as the BUGS), classical guitarist Bradley Wells, the Whirlwind Quintet classical music ensemble, and The Remnants, a longtime Roberts Creek band playing cool vibes from the 1960s and beyond.
"Likely a surprise guest will pop up too!" said Slow Sunday coordinator and Art Beat correspondent Graham Walker. (Walker himself performed in Hackett Park on July 1 as part of Canada Day festivities, appearing alongside the Jilly Bears.) Walker exulted after finalizing the concert schedule: "Like a snail crossing the finish line," he said, "we’re [finally] there."
Slow Sundays in the Creek concerts take place in the heart of the Creek, behind the community library. Regularly updated listings — which include the names of upcoming artists, like the Slow Sundays Gospel Chorus, Knotty Dotters, and Zarmari Flamenco — appear on Facebook at the "Slow Sundays in the Creek" page and the complementary "Sunshine Coast Unify the Music" page.
The event is supported by the Roberts Creek Community Association, the Sunshine Coast Regional District, and audience donations.
Dyeing for art
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council will offer a "botanical dyeing and printing journey" for youth aged 14 to 17 next week, on July 5 and 6.
The workshops, led by instructor Natalie Grambow, are designed for creative teens who are eager to take a deeper dive into new ways of making art alongside a master teacher. Registrants should be excited by the prospect of working with textiles, and realizing that flowers and plants can be artistic tools.
The colourful and natural world of plants, flowers and roots will become the stuff of art as participants turn organic colours into alchemical magic.
A maximum of 10 students can be registered; tuition is $230 for council members, $280 for non-members. Registration details and forms are available online at sunshinecoastartscouncil.com.
Do you know the way to Sarah Wray?
The Pender Harbour Living Heritage Society is opening its venerable Sarah Wray Hall this weekend for a chance to view its collection of historic photos and artifacts.
Tickets are also on sale for one of the society's signature raffles. $10 tickets are available for a chance to win Redwood, an 11.5-foot cedar strip canoe built by the 2025 boatbuilding class and instructor, local boatbuilder Rick Crook.
This year's canoe is made with old growth redwood donated by Living Heritage Society member and 2025 boatbuilding student Bob D.
Sarah Wray Hall will open to visitors on July 5 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Shine your soul
One of the Coast's most tireless impresarios, Deanna Knight, has announced the lineup of six summer Soul Shine concerts that will take place at her Secret Beach Bed and Breakfast near Gibsons.
Starting on July 9 with a concert featuring folk artist Oliver Swain, the series continues on July 23 (Michael Friedman and Paul Pigat), July 30 (Deanna Knight and her Tree-O), Aug. 13 (Dawn Pemberton), Aug. 20 (Coco Love Alcorn), and Aug. 27 (the Unfaithful Servants).
Tickets are available via deannaknight.ca or the One Flower One Leaf Gallery in Gibsons. An artist donation of $25 per guest is recommended; a six-show season pass is available this year for $120.
Jam on the beach
Henderson Beach, in Roberts Creek, will be the site of the 14th annual Peanut Butter Jam on July 12. Admission is by donation; proceeds from the annual concert will benefit the Sechelt Food Bank.
Musical performances are set to include the band Slightly Twisted with special guest Al Harlow of Prism. Spectators are urged to bring their own lawn chairs, sunscreen, and optional bathing costumes.
Slovenian standouts
The 60 vocalists from the Megaron Chamber Choir of Slovenia who performed in Davis Bay on June 30 attracted a capacity audience on a sweltering afternoon.
The choir was en route to the International Choral q̓at̓ᶿaymɩxʷ (Kathaumixw), a five-day choral festival in Powell River filled with concerts, common song singing, choral and vocal solo competitions, conductor’s seminars and social events.
The Slovenian choristers treated their audience to a selection of sacred numbers, European folk songs, and even Canadian content in the form of music by composer R. Murray Schafer: Miniwanka or the Moments of Water uses Indigenous languages Dakota, Wappo, Crow, Chinook, Achomawi, Otchipwe, Salish, Natick, Klamath and Luiseno to describe the transformation of water.
The group's superb musicianship, roof-raising power, and winsome showmanship (culminating in an umbrella-spinning rendition of Raindrops are falling on my head) precipitated numerous standing ovations.
