You never know who will show up to the Youth Showcase, say the two experienced organizers of the summer Music in the Landing concert series. They seem fine with this spontaneity - perhaps because they are both musicians themselves.
Linda Williams and Graham Walker have been bringing musical acts to Lower Gibsons for seven years now. When the season wraps up as it did last weekend (Aug. 28 to 30) they will have organized 41 different shows in this season alone, all with local musicians, on most every summer weekend, in the wharf gazebo, Winegarden Waterfront Park, the Sunday market and by the Visitors Centre.
They both have special moments to remember: Williams recalls Juno-nominated Celso Machado, a brilliant instrumentalist, in the small gazebo one drizzly evening. As the audience squeezed in around him, he visibly warmed to his performance and told the delighted crowd that though he had just returned from touring at Stratford, this concert in his home town was the most enjoyable ever.
Walker considers that the hula dancers were a highlight, although he was dubious at first. Dhyana Bartkow's hula students danced with drum and a cappella accompaniment.
"It had a spiritual aspect," he explained.
Not only has the music been highly entertaining, but it's been a free program sponsored by the Town of Gibsons. (The first few years were backed by an anonymous donor, inspired by the haunting bagpipes of musician Erin Macdonald.) Each musical act is paid a small honorarium, plus they can pass the hat, busker style. Even though some of the musicians are professionals - Lowry Olafson and Joe Stanton performed last weekend - the money is not totally the thing.
"The money makes them feel respected, but most musicians love to play here," Walker said.
Walker and Williams, chosen for their experience in founding and co-ordinating the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival, are paid by the Town for this weekend job. They don't just choose their favourites. Musicians must apply each year. Williams does most of the booking and tries to co-ordinate the gigs with the musicians' schedules.
"We have to be sensitive," she said. "We can't have a loud rock band playing here."
As organizers, the two constantly do the most arduous part of the job - hefting equipment around town. While Walker introduces the acts, Williams rearranges the lawn umbrellas in the park to give the audience some shade. It's all part of the service and one that is enjoyed by visitors. One guest from North Vancouver arrived by boat last weekend and couldn't believe her good timing. A group of wedding guests milled about the park for picture taking. "Nice to have the music," remarked one guest, smiling.
"It's good for us to find out who's in the audience," Williams said. "We're ambassadors for the town."
Others are regular fans.
Jo Cardinall, who lives nearby, walks down for the music every weekend. As she sat by the Visitors Centre to listen to Soupbean Katie and the Cornpones last Saturday, she realized this was the last weekend in the program. "I'll miss it terribly," she said.
The annual Youth Show-case takes place in a blue tent in Winegarden Park. The first act was a winner - Franklin Cottrell, the dancer, sings and plays with Anthony Willmer on cover tunes from Foo Fighters.
"I'm always embarrassed when the kids are better than me," joked Walker. "I missed my chance to be a prodigy."
A variety of youthful musicians took to the stage with fiddles, sax, drums and keyboard. Teen Emily Cardinall and tiny Rose Cardinall-Redfern sang Mama Mia, and Westerly Henry closed the show with a few original numbers.
"I don't know how to say it without being sappy, but when I see kids like the two girls earlier who played the fiddles, it makes me feel that everything's all right with the world. The music is in their souls," Williams said.
After eight weeks of organizing duties, Williams will have a brief rest before launching the fall monthly series of the Artesia Coffeehouse held at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt. The first one is on Sept 25 at 8 p.m., and it will focus on piano. The unique J.J. Wagler performs, Edwin Dolinski plays his original compositions, Anna Lumiere represents jazz, and the Gemini twins, Val and Julie Rutter, present classical selections.
Williams, who is often seen in action with her camera, makes a collage poster for each coffeehouse based on the many photos she gathers throughout the year. More than 250 musical acts can be viewed on slideshows, and Williams regards this archiving as her community contribution - and an important legacy.
Updates on the coffeehouses can be found at www.suncoastarts.com.
