• This weekend at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery there will be an opening reception on Saturday, June 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. for Things We Found at the Lake by Cath Hughes and for Jervis Inlet by Mavis Assad. Hughes will give an Artist’s Talk on Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m.
• The Pender Harbour Blues Festival is in full swing from June 2 to 4, in Madeira Park and nearby locations. See www.phblues.ca for a full schedule of events.
• On Saturday, June 3 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 4 at 2 p.m., A Bird’s Tale by Waldorf Ballet, an original two-act story ballet, will be performed at Chatelech Secondary Theatre.
• On Sunday, June 4, hear Messiah, Part 3 and Vivaldi’s Gloria, choir and chamber orchestra, performed by the Messiah Choir, accompanied by string quartet and harpsichord, directed by Joy McLeod. Concert is at 2 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Davis Bay. Tickets are at Sechelt Visitor Centre and Laedeli Gifts in Gibsons.
Art school
As the Arts Building activities wind up for the season this week, the venue at 464 South Fletcher in Gibsons will be available for the summer program from Gibsons School of the Arts (GSA). The first five-day course begins on June 19 and teaches Painting the Figure/Portrait with Justin Ogilvie. Many of the GSA’s summer courses fill up quickly. Registration and more information can be found at www.gibsonsartschool.net
Comedian
Award-winning comedian Ron James has been selling out theatres for 15 years with his side-splitting, kinetically-charged performances. James takes his audience on a breath-taking, non-stop roller coaster ride, cutting a wide swath through contemporary culture with his razor-sharp ribald wit, uncompromising standards and unique, poetically-honed delivery.
With eight critically acclaimed, one-hour comedy specials under his belt, plus five seasons starring in his own series, The Ron James Show, the comedian will be delivering laughs at the Rockwood Pavilion in Sechelt on Thursday, June 8.
General seating tickets for James’ show, Pedal to the Metal, are $55, on sale now at Gibsons Building Supplies, Wilson Creek Shell, Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Company and online at www.newfieproductions.ca. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. This is a fundraising event for Sunshine Coast Sockeye Water Polo’s program for youth, where they are invited to learn to play the sport at no cost.
Coffee House
On Friday, June 9 the School of Music Coffee House in Madeira Park opens its doors at 7 p.m. with music at 7:30 p.m. This month features Back Porch Reunion, a Cajun band; Allan Neinhuis on guitar and vocals; Colin and Gracelynne Mailey, a vocal duo; and Cam Peters, singer and guitarist. Coffee and goodies will be sold. Suggested donation is $10 at the door.
Interactive images
Local clever techno artist Matthew Talbot-Kelly has been hosting some interactive installations, Circling Towards a Possible Present, at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons. Three game-engine driven images from his tablets were projected on the walls and viewers could enjoy manipulating the portraits. Playwright Samuel Beckett, for example, is depicted in a scene with an oversized banana and a shady character, evocative of Beckett’s works. Call Talbot-Kelly at 604-375-4739 or email him at [email protected] for more information.
Dance competitors
Julie Izad from the Coast Academy of Dance reports that nine students this year have been selected to compete with Team Canada in Germany in November. “We are so proud of them,” she said. They are: Megan Doyle (who was with Team Canada last year), Vienna Klikach, Carly Kennedy, Bella Daigle, Megan Hebden, Andrea Villanueva, Tessa Rowland, Ali Girard and Francesca Manson.
Books wanted
Gibsons Public Art Gallery is now accepting donations of books for the Bag o’ Books sale on July 1 (Canada Day). Your gently used books will be welcome. A cotton eco-bag, a fundraiser for the gallery, will cost $10 and the books are free when you fill up your purchased bag.
Keep me posted
Please continue to send me your arts announcements, but note that they will run in the newspaper one day to one week ahead only. My deadline is Tuesday at noon for next Friday’s paper. Email [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692.
