The ninth annual Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival is fast approaching. From June 11 to 13, the festival will feature many fine local artists including Celso Machado, who now, with his family, makes Gibsons his permanent home.Machado will give a guitar workshop on Saturday, June 5, at the Gibsons Public Library then play on the big day in Dougall Park on June 12. Other locals on the Saturday bill are vocalist Karin Bergen with Realtime Jazz and Blaine Dunaway with the Hot Club of France. Karen Graves, currently a local land owner, someday permanent resident, with Mother of Pearl, will also perform. The Vancouver group Eastwind is playing along with the jazz funk group Crash to end the day with definite impact. And, if you can't get enough of the their sound, they will be ready to get you dancing to 'fat chunks of thick funk' at the Roberts Creek Hall Saturday night. For an option on Saturday night, enjoy the smooth and classic dance tunes of big band music with the Roberts Creek Big Band playing at the Club, with chef Michael providing fine cuisine.The Club will also host a Friday night intimate concert with the romantic vocals of June Katz presenting her much acclaimed new CD with pianist Ron Johnston and Tim Stacey on bass. Sunday brunch at the Gibsons Yacht Club, which sold out early last year, will present the magical musical mélange duo of Andre Thibeault, on flamenco guitar and oud, and Qiu Xia He on the Chinese pipa, a delicious way to start another Jazz Fest day. Sunday afternoon in Winegarden Park will present three terrific local acts: Steven K and the Hardwood Trio, Ken Dalgleish with some wonderful surprise guests including Gaetan Bergevin and a favourite from last year, Harry Busby and the Bayou Dixieland Jazz Band. This show is free to the public and will complement the weekly Gibsons Sunday Market in Holland Park.The week leading up to festival, June 5 to 10, is branching out to Sechelt, with the Cellar Coffee House and the Rock Grill presenting live jazz. For something completely different, the Gumboot Café will host Improvia, on Saturday June 5, and the Richmond Singers will be filling St. Bart's Church with the sounds of their 50-voice choir the next day. Film Night, Tuesday, June 8, started last year in collaboration with the Sunshine Coast Film Society. The 50-minute film Linton Garner: I Never Said Goodbye will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse followed by Three Generations of Jazz featuring the act that joins grandfather Lloyd Arntzen with son Tom and grandson Evan all playing a celebration of vintage jazz.Watch for posters with details of all the venues in the coming weeks or see www.coastjazz.com. Tickets are available at Coast Books, Talewind Books and Roberts Creek Health Food Store.
