Coast musicians are earning a reputation for excellence on the international stage, writes Heather Cattanach from Scotland.
Holly Beckmyer, James Law, Emily Wood and Henry Wood, members of the Coast String Fiddlers, and Cathy Reckenberg, fiddler from Powell River, joined musicians from Scotland and the U.S. in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival trad band, Ceol Mor, under the direction of Harris Playfair, Mairi Campbell and David Francis, Scottish musicians who recently taught at the Sunshine Coast School of Celtic Music.
After five days of intensive rehearsing, Ceol Mor had audiences clapping and cheering in the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Burgh Hall, Inverbervie and His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. Scottish traditional music and modern sounds by Harris Playfair and compositions by Colin Steele and Aidan O'Rourke were featured, with the highlight being a newly commissioned work by Tia Files. Her Skylight fused Celtic, jazz and funk styles in a crowd-pleasing set spanning gentle lyricism and epic grooves.
Law and Wood held down the backline with Law driving the ensemble on drums and Wood solidly laying down bass lines. Henry Wood joined the brass section on saxophone and gave a sensitive fiddle solo. Beckmyer on fiddle also sang a touching solo of the perennial favourite The Dark Island, which received praise in an Aberdeen Evening Express review.
More music
Music in the Landing opens this weekend, Friday, Aug. 7, with the Sunshine Coast Song Circle led by Karen Stein presenting a tribute to Africa from 7 to 8 p.m. in the gazebo at the end of the wharf in Gibsons. Stay cool and take in some live music. The entertainment continues all weekend at various venues in lower Gibsons.
Debut show
A new duo of Hastings & Crawford will give their debut show at the Wild Bistro in Gibsons this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 10 p.m. Ross Hastings of Shot Bravo has teamed up with Chelsea Crawford, the Coast Idol singer/pianist. His voice has been compared to early David Bowie and Tom Yorke of Radiohead. His guitar, her piano and their two voices create something far beyond the sum of the parts.
'Hood show
Arts and Crafts from the 'Hood is ready to roll this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sechelt Elementary School field. Free admission allows you to shop for locally made crafts and other goodies while browsing at the nearby show and shine.
Diversity dance
Sappho's Circle and the Sunshine Coast Gay and Lesbian Association present a dance to celebrate diversity, inclusion and Motown's 50th anniversary featuring DJ Delia. Friends and allies are welcome on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Roberts Creek Hall from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets: $10 to $20 sliding scale, available at the door and at MELOmania (Roberts Creek), 420 Hemp Shop (Sechelt) and Beauchamp's Candy and Chocolates in Molly's Lane (Gibsons).
You must be 19 years or older to attend. This dance is a fundraiser for the Sunshine Coast Child and Youth Suicide Prevention Committee.
Stanton plays
On Saturday, Aug. 8, Joe Stanton with the Precious Littles and Tim Hearsey perform at the Backeddy Pub in Egmont at 8 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 9, Stanton, the band and guests are at the Garden Bay Pub from 2 to 6 p.m.
Biddle and Cleave
Artists Doris Biddle and Ed Cleave will be showing their work at the Trail Bay Mall in Sechelt opening Thursday, Aug. 13, continuing through Friday and Saturday. Biddle is known for her portraits; Cleave is noted for his depiction of cars, and he currently has an interesting cowboy piece on display at the Seaside Centre.
Festival month
August is Festival month on the Coast.
The Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival celebrates its fifth anniversary on the weekend of Aug. 21 to 23 in the School of Music. This year features an ambitious program, including pieces for wind instruments and horn. Local host families welcome 10 superlative musicians from across the continent for the week of rehearsals and the festival itself. Chamber Music Doesn't Bite!, a free concert offered by the musicians, takes place on Friday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Some concerts are sold out already, but there are still tickets available for Friday evening (7:30 p.m.), Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) and the Intermezzo event (4:30 p.m.), an interview with Canadian composer Stephen Chatman. Visit www.penderharbourmusic.com for the latest on ticket availability, or call 604-989-3995.
Send notice of arts events to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692 by Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Friday's paper.
