Mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson is performing with bass-baritone Brandon Thornhill in a concert called Opera Meets Broadway at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The audience will love the line-up, writes Parkinson, because they have selected popular hits from opera and Broadway, and also include some beloved classic folk songs.
Thornhill is from Florida, but his passion for music drew him to Vancouver to complete a degree in opera at University of British Columbia. He also performs other genres such as R&B and jazz. Parkinson is from Alberta and pursued her opera degree at McGill University. She became a member of the Atelier Lyrique young artist program with Opera de Montreal, and this season she will make her debut with Vancouver Opera in Dead Man Walking. On the piano will be the incomparable Richard Epp from Vancouver, the music director of Opera Workshop at UBC. Tickets are $25, students $10, at Sechelt Visitor Centre and Laedeli Gifts in Gibsons or at the door.
Baby’s back
On Saturday, Sept. 17 catch the live music funky duo act Baby Harry Callaway and the Kings of Soul, performing at 9 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Legion. Proceeds will go towards the production of Baby Harry’s new recording. Members $8; guests $16.
This weekend
The Wood Expo 2016 shows the varied work of Coast artisans in wood at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt, presented by Sunshine Coast Community Forest. It’s on for one day only, Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pender Harbour hosts the annual Jazz Festival, Sept. 16 to 18, with ticketed and free musical events. See www.phjazz.ca
Cameron tour
On Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. Mark Cameron shares his tour of B.C. libraries at the Gibsons and District Public Library. Cameron, self-published author of Goodnight Sunshine, went on a 39-day tour around B.C., visiting libraries, farmers’ markets, bookstores and other venues. In this BC Federation of Writers sponsored workshop, Cameron and his partner Sheila will discuss their tour planning and promotion, and lessons learned for self and small press published authors. RSVP to 604-886-2130 as seating is limited.
Craft beer pioneer
On Sept. 16 and 17, one of B.C.’s most famous craft beer pioneers, Frank Appleton, is visiting the Coast to promote his new memoir Brewing Revolution: Pioneering Craft Beer Movement (Harbour Publishing, $24.95). He will be signing books at the EarthFair Store in Madeira Park on Friday, Sept. 16 from noon to 2 p.m. and at Persephone Brewing in Gibsons on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. The inspiring story behind today’s craft beer revolution is the subject of this lively memoir by Appleton, the English-trained brewmaster who is considered by many to be the father of Canada’s craft-brewing movement. All are welcome at the signings, made possible in part by the Canada Council for the Arts. For more, phone EarthFair Store at 604-883-9006 or Harbour Publishing at 604-883-2730.
DreamOwl
DreamOwl, aka musician Michael Lacoste, uses live looping technology to create world fusion soundscapes punctuated by flourishing guitars, percussive breaks and creative non-word singing and chanting. In his upcoming release, Ancient Future, DreamOwl introduces a wide assortment of instruments including djembe, darbuka, didgeridoo and beatbox. With guitars at the heart of his approach (nylon and steel stringed instruments) DreamOwl creates a mystical and lively journey from deep trance to lively grooves. Ancient Future will be released on Wednesday, Sept. 21, with pre-orders available at https://dreamowl1.bandcamp.com. A celebration concert is being held at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek at 7:30 p.m.
Comedy tour
On Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. a special live event, The Snowed In Comedy Tour, makes its first stop at the Raven’s Cry Theatre, Sechelt. It features three of Canada’s best comedians: Dan Quinn, winner of Just for Laughs Canadian Comedy Competition; Paul Myrehaug, CBC’s The Debaters and $25,000 Great Canadian Laugh-Off winner; and Damonde Tschritter, winner of Seattle Comedy Competition. For more info, see www.snowedincomedytour.com Tickets: $35 each, $25 each for groups of six or more (must be purchased at the same time). Go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2589552. Beer and wine will be available to purchase. Net proceeds will go to the Sechelt Food Bank.
Gumboot paintings
Artist RoseAnn Janzen has paintings on show in the Gumboot Restaurant, Roberts Creek, from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14. Drop in for a meal, or if you don’t plan on eating, the best time to view the work is mid-afternoons on weekdays. See www.rajanzen.com
Culture Days
The seventh annual Culture Days weekend will take place Friday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 2 across Canada. Last year there were a number of local Culture Days activities, but Siobhan Smith, arts co-ordinator for the District of Sechelt, writes that there aren’t any events registered for 2016. Registration closes at 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, so don’t delay – register and start promoting your event.
In 2017, Canada will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Some may have already applied to the Department of Canadian Heritage for Canada 150 funding. The application review committee will meet the week of Oct. 10 to review all applications received on or before Sept. 30. The funding program closes Oct. 21, 2016. Contact Smith at 604-740-8476 or 604-989-0804 for more information.
Beth returns
Fans of vocal performance will remember concerts from Sunshine Coast’s Beth Buono (nee Currie). After nearly 15 years away from home, the singer has returned to the Coast to teach private music lessons in piano, voice and violin. A 2008 graduate from the UBC School of Music, Beth completed a major in voice and a minor in piano. Buono studied the violin extensively and was concertmaster in the community youth orchestra, and later studied at the Vancouver Academy of Music. Further achievements included singing the national anthem before 30,000 BC Lions football fans, performing at Carnegie Hall, and as soprano and soloist at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. She is best known for her role in the world renowned Vancouver Chamber Choir. For more information, email [email protected] or phone 778-989-2095.
Arbutus Sounds correction
The photo of Arbutus Sounds Chorus in last week’s paper was incorrectly credited. The photo was taken by Don Klan. Coast Reporter regrets the error.
Noon deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Please include contact information.
