Pender Harbour Jazz Festival takes to the streets and the stage Sept. 18 to 20 in Madeira Park and nearby locations. Friday opens with the Anagram Duo at 2:30 p.m. plus action at the Garden Bay Pub and dining room. Saturday and Sunday starts with free concerts at Sunshine Coast Resort, the Harbour Spirit Centre and John Henry’s Marina. The best events are the Saturday and Sunday jazzapaloozas, three great acts each day. Tickets and schedule info is available at www.phjazz.ca
Coffee House
This Friday, Sept. 11, attend the School of Music Coffee House, a terrific evening’s entertainment by local musicians, cabaret-style, in Madeira Park. This month it’s the Lynne Urquhart Band (Urquhart, James Raynor, Scott Jackes, Sacha Fassaert) plus Taylor Howie, Pender Harbour singer, and Jay Burnham, Egmont bassist. Runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with a $10 suggested donation. Call Joanne Mauro 604-883-9749 for more.
Poetry fans
Poetry Club starts up soon for people who love poetry or just want to know more about it. It’s like a book club for poetry. The first meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Library. For more information, email Jane at [email protected]
Film season
The spring season of the Sunshine Coast Film Society opens with A Brilliant Young Mind, a British comedy/drama about a mildly autistic teenage math prodigy, on Monday, Sept. 14 at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 20 (2 p.m.) at the Sechelt Seniors Centre. Season memberships are now on sale. See www.scfs.ca for more.
Nutcracker funds
The Coasting Along Theatre fundraising campaign runs until Sunday, Sept. 13, which is also the date of auditions for this year’s production of The Nutcracker. For every donation received you are entered into the (non-door) door prize. Businesses on the Coast have again surpassed expectations with their support. For an updated list of prizes, see www.coastingalongtheatre.org
Vocalist for Threshold
Melanie DeMore, vocal activist, will be in concert on Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Camp Sunrise in Hopkins Landing.
DeMore is an outstanding vocal artist with a career spanning 30 years of performing, teaching, lecturing, mentoring, conducting, directing and inspiring people about the power of song as social and political change. She is instrumental in preserving African-American folk tradition through song and Gullah stick pounding, and she was the subject of a documentary called Stick and Pound showcasing its significance in communication during slavery in the U.S. DeMore will be co-facilitating this year’s annual Threshold Choir Retreat and the Threshold Singers of the Sunshine Coast, Bowen Island and Vancouver invite lovers of song to join them on Sept. 19 for an interactive concert held in the Chapel at Camp Sunrise located by the Langdale ferry terminal. Suggested donation is $20 for adults. Children welcome. The SC Threshold Choir is part of an international organization (www.thresholdchoir.org) and offers the gift of singing for people who are seriously ill, dying, or grieving. For more information contact Judy Lynne at 604-886-7334 or [email protected]
Call for banners
Volunteer coordinator Connie Johnston has put out a call for entry for banner designs that will decorate the Town of Gibsons for the following two years. Application forms are available at Gibsons Public Art Gallery, the Town of Gibsons, or online at www.gibsons.ca (under Community/Arts and Culture). Although deadline for submissions is not until the end of this year, you will need some time to plan your banner. Details of banner requirements are on the application forms.
Joni show
Gibsons Public Art Gallery is preparing for Both Sides Now, a Tribute to Joni Mitchell, which will open Nov. 12, with the reception on Saturday, Nov. 14. Get inspired now whether you are a musician, an artist or storyteller. All are invited to work with Joni’s lyrics and music and to take part in the show. See: www.gibsonspublicartgallery.ca for more.
New deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Art Beat covers events one day to one week ahead.
