The District of Sechelt is pleased to invite the public to attend the dedication of Regeneration, a sculpture in honour of the late John Phare and the staff and crew of BC Wildfire Service. It is inspired by the tragic events of the Old Sechelt Mine wildfire of 2015. The sculpture addresses human impact on our environment and nature’s ability to recover and regenerate after disaster. Roberts Creek-based artist Gordon Halloran worked in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Community Forest and numerous volunteers to create this sculpture. The ceremony is this Saturday, July 16, at 3:30 p.m. in Spirit Square (next to Seaside Centre/Sechelt Visitor Centre).
Legion of Boom
This weekend, enjoy live MCs, real DJs and proper sound, now with the ever-talented Jomega Johanna Renée Marion joining The Funkdealer. Also that same evening is your chance to see Ben Tour paint live and have a chance to win his painting. Legion of Boom presents Pigeon Hole with The Funkdealer, Ben Tour, Jomega and guests, at the Roberts Creek Legion this Saturday, July 16 starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for guests with members.
Summer music
The Summer Music Series continues in Sechelt on Saturday, July 16 starting at noon with Lynne and Reg Dickson and the Other Guy. Brothers in Farms plays at 1 p.m. Admission is free. Relax in Spirit Square near the library and have a listen.
Artists’ demo
On Sunday, July 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Squamish artist Anthony Joseph and carver Teddy Baker will be in residence at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery demonstrating their art. Admission is free. For further information, contact Michael Aze at 604-886-0531.
Free music in the open air
Music in the Landing invites you to the Gibsons Farmers’ Market this Friday to hear Bill Ward playing well loved piano tunes from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday evening from 7 to 8 p.m., stroll down the wharf to the Gazebo to enjoy North American inspired music from around the world with John Ten Bear Thompson, guitar/vocals, and Barry Taylor on drums.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Visitors Centre across from Molly’s Reach, the trio Nua (Gaelic for new) with returning local musicians James Law, violin, and Graeme McGillivray, guitar, will be joined by Jacob McCauley on bodhrán, playing traditional Celtic tunes. Saturday evening, bring those lawn chairs and blankets to Winegarden Waterfront Park to enjoy Sound Medicine with Anna Lumiere, keyboards, Budge Schachte, guitar, Graham Ord, sax/flute, and Liam MacDonald, percussion. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., special guest Simon Fisk joins Karen Graves and Budge Schachte on the Sundial Stage, next to the Sunday Market, across from Winegarden Park.
Steve at Persephone
On Saturday, July 16, Steve Weave will appear at Persephone Beer Farm at 2 p.m. For this concert he will be supported by his amazing band of Jamie Swann, Joe DeLeo and Baeden Shendebray.
Opera studio
Holly Beckmyer grew up on the Sunshine Coast and played with the Coast String Fiddlers for over ten years. She is now in Vancouver working towards a career in opera, although she will soon be returning to the Coast as a violin teacher. Beckmyer writes: “The Coast’s extremely supportive attitude towards the arts was a huge influence on my musical career, so I’m writing to let you know about the grand opening of a new opera company in the Lower Mainland, West Coast Opera Studio, and its upcoming double-bill of two short baroque operas: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona, opening later this July.”
Beckmyer will play the lead role in Dido and Aeneas, the role of Dido’s sister, Belinda.
For this production, WCOS is teaming up with Opera Mariposa. The co-production is being funded by a campaign on the crowd-funding website Indiegogo, with a fundraising goal of $2,500. The double-bill of shows is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30 at the Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver. Tickets are $20 ($18 students and seniors), available at metrotheatre.com, at the door or at 604-266-7191.
Victoria wins
Because of the support from the Sunshine Coast in voting and sharing the news, performer and mental health advocate Victoria Maxwell has won the Canadian Mental Health Association’s and Shopper’s Drugmart “Ride Don’t Hide Love You” contest. In less than four days, she gained the needed 600 votes and she thanks everyone for their clicking, tweeting and posting. Maxwell said that each of the other women nominated have made fabulous contributions to their community and created incredible impact with their efforts. “Like this contest, getting and staying well is not a one person job; it’s a group effort,” she said.
Maxwell is creative director of Crazy for Life Co. and an award-winning actress and playwright. After her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis, she became extremely proactive in her recovery. She combines her theatre background, personal experience of psychiatric illness and professional knowledge as a group facilitator and mental health worker to give a unique and powerful insider perspective on dealing with depression and other mental illnesses.
Two acts
Two seminal artists are performing on the Coast as part of a full Canadian tour, at the Roberts Creek Community Hall on July 23. Three O’Clock Train band members are Montreal’s alt-country pioneers, fronted by First Nations member Mack MacKenzie. The Train have appeared in numerous National Film Board productions and had their music heard across Canada. Ford Madox Ford is punked blues featuring Chip Kinman of legendary West Coast punk band The Dils and alt-country godfathers Rank and File. These artists are relaunching their respective careers after being inactive for some time. Both bands are supporting new vinyl releases. Local lads the Daggers R.C. and Billy Gruff will also be playing. Tickets are $20, available at share-there.com and MELOmania Music in the Creek.
Performing arts
Sea Cavalcade is the annual fiesta time in Gibsons and it’s coming up July 23 and 24. This year, mark your calendars for the Community Performing Arts Show. Enjoy local artists on Sunday, July 24 at Winegarden Waterfront Park in Lower Gibsons. The show goes from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring a chair and/or a blanket and enjoy the performances of violinist Jasmine Fitzsimons, Harmony Line Dancers, Dance Works Academy, Cardio Cabaret, Let’s Dance, tango dancers Alan and Patricia, Keia Papa Kaua, and the extraordinary kids from Nikki Weber’s talent show, singers Andrea and Florence, pianist Brison Geue, and more.
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 a contact person’s phone number or email.
