Suncoast Concert Band presents Strike up the Band! an annual spring concert with director Janice Brunson, who describes the event as “an exploration of traditional and contemporary sounds for concert bands.”
The performance is this Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall. There will be something for everyone in this concert: the Allegro from the Haydn Trumpet Concerto featuring Paul Pedlar, an arrangement of Cohen’s Hallelujah by member John Frederickson and a wide variety of styles in between. Tickets are $15 adults/$5 children at Laedeli or Strait Music. Alec Tebbutt is the amiable master of ceremonies.
The Concert Band operates under the auspices of the Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra Association. Rehearsals are every Saturday morning at the Highland Centre, Gibsons. New players are very welcome with no auditions. See sunshinecoastorchestra.ca or look on facebook.com/SCCommunityOrchestraAssociation
Page reads
Kathy Page will read at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt on Saturday, April 23. Page is a British/Canadian author living on Salt Spring Island who is best known for seven dark, disturbing novels, though she has also written two volumes of short fiction as well as scripts. Her earlier works, The Story of My Face and Alphabet, were short-listed, respectively, for the Orange Prize and the Governor General’s Award. A more recent novel, The Find, was a finalist for the 2011 ReLit Award. With its provocative prose style, complex characters, and suspenseful, unsettling narratives, the work of Kathy Page appeals to “fans of classy thrillers and literary fiction alike” according to Sarah Waters of The Independent. Hear readings from her novel, Frankie Styne and the Silver Man, and her book of short stories, Paradise and Elsewhere, nominated for Giller and Ethel Wilson prizes. Meet Page at the Arts Centre (corner of Trail and Medusa) at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30.) Admission is by donation, courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Sunshine Coast Arts Council.
Earth Day dance
Musician Ken McBride is holding an Earth Dance concert in honour of Earth Day on Saturday, April 23 at the Little Legion #219 in Roberts Creek. Show starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $6 for members, $12 for guests.
Where Lemons Bloom
Author Blair McDowell invites readers and writers to a book launch of her fifth romantic suspense novel, Where Lemons Bloom. Come to 1111 Gower Point Rd. in Gibsons (Caprice Bed and Breakfast) on Sunday, April 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and enjoy refreshments, readings and talk about the writing process. See more at www.blairmcdowell.com
Stratford live
A live performance from the Stratford Festival of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is brought to you on the screen in HD at Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt, on Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Considered a comedy, this battle of the sexes is performed by husband and wife team of Deborah Hay and Ben Carlson. Tickets are $15 and $10 for children nine to 17. To reserve, call 604-885-4597.
Young artists
Each year the Sunshine Coast Arts Council reaches out to all secondary and elementary schools on the Coast for the popular Young People’s Own Show at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre.
Teachers are invited to submit work their students have created over the school year. This year’s Elementary Exhibit, April 20 to May 8, features works from Ecole du Pacifique, Gibsons, Kinnikinnick, Langdale and Madeira Park elementary schools.
All four of the Sunshine Coast secondary schools, Chatelech, Elphinstone, Pender Harbour and the Sunshine Coast Alternative School, will be represented in the Secondary Exhibit from May 11 to 20. The students’ work never fails to amaze and often belies the age of the creators. Come and support the next wave of artists. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.sunshinecoastartscouncil.com
Chinese film
On Monday, April 25 the SC Film Society presents Coming Home, a film screening of a haunting, bittersweet tale of love, loss and redemption, set around China’s Cultural Revolution. Lu, imprisoned for political crimes, is long separated from his wife and daughter. He escapes to be reunited only to be betrayed. Film starts at 7:30 p.m. Members $5; others $9, at the Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons.
Coffee house
The monthly Artesia Coffee House is on Friday, April 29 at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in Sechelt. As April is poetry month, poet Jane Covernton will open the night followed by one of the Coast’s favourite fiddlers, Sara Fitzpatrick, with Barry Taylor on brushes and things. Next up is a new acoustic song writing, guitar and vocal duo Pat Forst and Teryl Mullock. After the break, poet Martha Royea will be followed by singer/songwriter Matthew Lovegrove presenting songs from his brand new CD. The fun and familiar tunes of Martini Madness duo with Kevin Crofton and Graham Walker will close the night. Trish will have her tasty treats (sorry, no martinis) while you enjoy the latest art exhibit. Tickets are $10 at the door which opens at 7 p.m. with showtime at 8. Come early to get a good seat and enjoy the slideshow of previous performers.
Spoken word
A roaming open mike spoken word event with musical jam interludes is on Friday, April 29 at 9 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Legion #219. Stories, jokes, rants and inspiring tales are welcome.
Dance with Big Band
The Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre (5604 Trail Ave.) is presenting a dance on Saturday, April 30. Vocals are by Lynne Dickson, who is backed by the Creek Big Band playing old favourite tunes. Entrance is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the door or pre-purchased at the Activity Centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Playshop
Back by popular demand is the Catalyst for Creativity and Courage playshop led by Victoria Maxwell. Are you ready to build confidence and improve your speaking skills? Are you curious how to share your work in a different medium? Perfectly imperfect humans: do you have a story you want to tell? Gently step out of your comfort zone through ridiculously fun improv games, out-of-the box writing prompts, kick-ass creative exercises and story sharing. Walk away with a rough draft of writing that can be developed into a talk, story and snippet to share. No experience necessary. See more at www.victoriamaxwell.com or call 604-885-7465. It’s on Saturday, April 30 at Davis Bay Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $100 plus GST.
Harbour Gallery
The Harbour Gallery will be open for April Tools Day, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit Metamorphosis with guest artist Krista Maurer will run through May. The gallery is open on Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17, and Saturdays May 7 and 14. It’s located at 12953 Gonzales Rd. in Madeira Park. Contact June 604-883-2807 or Nefri 604-885-4366 for more.
Night market
Gibsons Night Market is now accepting applications for its 2016 season, now in its third year. It’s a cute little market on Shaw Road, behind the Petrocan station, that brings together friends and families to showcase talents, hear local musicians and enjoy licensed open air property on sweet summer evenings. Get your application in; spaces are limited for food vendors, food trucks, artists and crafters of any kind. Email [email protected]
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.
