Organizers of the Green Films series are rolling out the green carpet in honour of a recently made documentary, For the Love of Gospel Rock. The local film by producer Loretta Macklam calls for a not-quite-Hollywood style premiere event on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
Macklam grew up on the Coast, as did her family before her, and she recalls hiking through the Gospel Rock area as a child to visit her grandparents.
"As the community grew with more housing, we were aware that we were losing our green spaces," Macklam said.
She decided to do something about the potential loss of this special place, and she financed and directed Roberts Creek film-maker Veronica Alice (Through a Blue Lens), with some footage by Tamar Kozlov, in this, Macklam's second film. Her first, Forever Lost, featured a song about Gospel Rock she wrote with songwriter Lowry Olafson that was sung by the Choralations Children's Choir.
Public hearings on the development of Gibsons' Gospel Rock are coming up soon as part of the Town's official process. The gala event's date is fortuitous timing, said organizer Judith Hammill, taking place just as the film was finished.
"There's a huge green component to the event, of course," said Hammill, "but there's a really big arts component too."
An amazing number of artists have been inspired by the bluff's ambience, Hammill points out, including such distinguished painters as E.J. Hughes and heritage photographer Helen McCall.
In contemporary times, such artists as Greta Guzek and Dean van't Schip have explored the region in their art. At the gala, artist Pat Ridgway will display some of her nature-inspired paintings, Alan Sirulnikoff will sell his art cards and screen his slideshow made while accompanying a scientist studying the flora of the area. Some film footage of the area in the 1980s will also be shown.
After an intermission, For the Love of Gospel Rock screens.
The Green Film series, a collaboration of the Sustainable Coast newsmagazine and the Gibsons Green Team, were the obvious presenters and were thrilled with the opportunity to promote a locally produced film. It gives a historical, cultural and ecological account of the area through interviews with eight community members.
"Hopefully it will educate people about Gospel Rock," Macklam said. "There are so many people who care."
Doors open at 7:15 p.m. with wine and desserts served in the lobby and time to mingle. After the program there will be boxed desserts for sale.
"We decided to throw in the traditional fundraising bake sale," laughs Hammill. Funds raised will help Friends of Gospel Rock and defray the costs of the film.
Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. They are available at Gaia's Fair Trade and Laedeli in Gibsons and the Sechelt Visitor Centre. They are also available online at: http://fortheloveofgospelrock.eventbrite.ca/. There will be no tickets at the door. This is expected to be a sold-out event. More information is available at www.greenfilms.ca.
