syíyaya Days start June 21, Nikki Weber holding variety extravaganza and more: Art Beat

The District of Sechelt, in partnership with the shíshálh Nation and the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement, have programmed a series of activities and events for June 21 (National Indigenous Peoples Day) and July 1 (Canada Day). 

On June 21, highlights include a reading of White Raven by author Teoni Spathelfer, who is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation. Her documentary Teoni’s Dream, informed by her mother’s residential school experience, has aired nationwide on CBC Radio. Spathelfer’s reading takes place at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt at 9:30 a.m.

Later the same day, director Annie Frazier Henry will screen her film Ladies of the Inlet at the Raven’s Cry Theatre, starting at 2 p.m. Henry is the executive producer of the comedy Don’t Call Me Tonto. Her documentary Spirit of the Game has screened internationally and recently received the award for best Indigenous film at the Santa Fe International Film Festival.

Ladies of the Inlet features a journey by sea with the six oldest women of the shíshálh Nation to their majestic homelands.

A full list of syíyaya Days activities is available at sechelt.ca.

Nonagenarian Nikki Weber's extravaganza at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse

Vocal coach and nonagenarian impresario Nikki Weber (she celebrated her 95th birthday in March) has announced a variety extravaganza that will take place at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse on July 9.

“I’ve been putting on shows ever since I was 13,” said Weber. “I’ve been doing it all this time. And for the show on July 9, I’ve got the best artists.”

Sh-Boom and Guests: Silver Lining will feature a band composed of Miles Black (piano), Boyd Norman (bass), and Kristian Braathen on drums. 

The four-party harmony group Sh-Boom — composed of Mike Weber, Ron Leclerc, Colin Mailey and Boyd Norman — will be joined by the J-Tones Trio. The J-Tones are Joy Germaine, Joan Vernon and Jan Gillis. 

Soloists Trudi Diening and Jacqueline Allan round out the vocal department, while preeminent reed player Karen Graves will perform on sax.

Tickets ($30) can be ordered by calling Weber directly at 604-740-0933.

Waldorf Ballet of Sechelt presents Alice in Wonderland

The Waldorf Ballet of Sechelt presents a story ballet inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice in Wonderland including many of his original characters and familiar personalities.

Follow Alice and her White Rabbit companion as they dive into Wonderland and get twisted up in an adventure they’ll never forget! 

The show will be performed by an all-local cast of Waldorf Ballet students.

Four performances are scheduled over the weekend of June 18 and 19. Details and tickets are available at waldorfballet.com.

Brazilian music with a view at Songbird Forest Concert Series

On June 19 at 1 p.m., the Songbird Forest Concert Series continues with Brazilian music and more. 

Virtuoso guitarist and composer Celso Machado will be sharing music rooted in South America’s rhythmic and melodic styles. He incorporates other world music traditions to create his own unique sound and contributes to the ongoing evolution of Brazilian music. 

The Songbird Series concerts take place in a natural amphitheatre in the forest above Roberts Creek. A steep 15-minute hike is required to reach the outdoor venue.

More information and reservations are available online.

A window on ceramics at GPAG

The Tiny Art Gallery at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery is featuring the work of Kathryn Fullerton. Fullerton is a ceramics artist who enjoys hollowing out and stretching clay to create unique textured surfaces that mimic the natural world. 

Her pit-fired pieces at The Tiny Art Gallery, a street-level display accessible to passersby even outside regular gallery hours.

Fullerton maintains a well-illustrated blog and website at kathrynfullertonceramics.com.

There are fairies at the bottom of our garden: A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Winegarden park

The Gibsons Public Library will present an abridged performance of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 26 at 2 p.m. in Winegarden Park on the Gibsons waterfront.

The production is a readers’ theatre rendition of the popular play. The all-ages cast is composed entirely of volunteer actors and musicians.

Everyone is welcome to drop in. In keeping with certain characters in the play itself, attendees do not need reservations.

For more information, email Lise Kreps at the Gibsons Library: LKreps@gibsons.bclibrary.ca.