The BlueAct Marine Society, which together with the Gibsons Community Building Society operates the Nicholas Sontag Tidepools Aquarium at the Gibsons Public Market, has launched an art show to raise funds for the aquarium.
Orca cutouts can be ordered by the Public Market until June 13 (for $20 including tax). A limited number are available.
Artists can use any medium to adorn the orca outline. Artist Gail Rines, who has annually participated in the event (even its pre-orca days of plywood rockfish), supplements her paints with three-dimensional adornments to add texture and suggest a deepening journey below the waves.
The finished orcas must be returned to the Market by June 16. An online auction runs from June 26 to July 14, allowing bidders to claim their favourites.
There were over 7,800 aquarium visits in 2023, with hundreds of local student engagements. The catch-and-release facility features more than 100 species of marine creatures.
More details about the art show and auction are available online at gibsonspublicmarket.com/events/ocean-art-festival.
Hilarity on the fly
A new wave of spontaneous comedy is rolling onto the shores of the Sunshine Coast looking to get audiences laughing and joining in the fun. Coast Improv, a small group of funny locals have come together to create a new creative space for improv comedy.
Inspired by the improv communities found throughout the world, Coast Improv is looking to create a destination for local improv with public performances, workshops, and community jams. Beginner introductory classes will be offered for free.
Coast Improv is led by Roberts Creek-based Alistair Cook, who spent three decades teaching, directing, and performing Improv throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. He met other parents at local playgrounds and discerned that many were interested in learning how to improvise.
They soon gathered together for workshops and Coast Improv was in motion. Having run the Canadian Improv Games, founding the Vancouver Improv Festival, Instant Theatre Company, Improv Camp, and working as an artistic associate of Vancouver TheatreSports, Cook was primed to share his experience with his new neighbours.
Coast Improv plans to collaborate with all local theatre groups and welcomes experienced and new improvisers. Its mission is to use the fundamental themes of improv to create a fun, welcoming, positive community for people to learn and enjoy improv comedy together.
“Because having a great time together is no joke!” said Cook.
Details and signup are available online at coastimprov.com.
Harbour has the blues
The perennially sensational Pender Harbour Blues Festival gets under way this weekend, featuring three days of music at unique venues around beautiful Pender Harbour.
Stellar performances are on the lineup by Tom Lavin, The Paperboys, Joani Bye, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whitely, Marcus Mosely, Paul Pigat, Joe Stanton, Joe Rotundo, Jim Foster, The Grand Koolios and many more.
Information and tickets are available online at phblues.ca.
Midsummer madness
Last week’s account of A Midsummer Night’s Dream incorrectly identified Charlotte Gray’s role as Egeus, when in fact that part will be played by Lisa Horne.
Gray actually plays Starveling (and later, “Moonshine”). Starveling is a hard-working Athenian tradesman, not well-positioned to sire the noblewoman Hermia.
That lot properly falls to Gray’s Egeus. While we regret the error, all Midsummer mayhem will come clear by viewing the play. Tickets are available by donation via coastshakespeare.ca.
