A Cappella Strait and Choralations Children’s Choir are preparing some beautiful songs, from composers modern and ancient (but with old and older texts) under the direction of Janice Brunson in a concert titled Rose Ever Blooming.
Enjoy these special joys of the winter season this Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church, Davis Bay and on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at St. Bart’s Anglican Church in Gibsons. Tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors and students and children under 12 are free. Tickets are at Sechelt Visitor Centre, Laedeli Gifts, Gibsons and at the door.
Blues Busters
Jump blues band Ron Campbell and The Blues Busters return to the Gibsons Legion on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. for a night of fun and dancing. Once called “Canada’s best-kept blues secret,” they are now making a name for themselves on the international stage with fans praising their “spirit and energy” and their “jazzy swinging tunes, impossible not to dance to.”
Band leader Ron Campbell said, “We’re proud to bring you our full four-piece show, including the saxophone and piano work of Mr. Burnin’ Ted Durnin!” The group has released their new CD, The Main Event. Tickets are $10 and $5 for Legion members, available at the Legion. Music starts at 8 p.m. For more information, call the Legion at 604-886-2411.
Garden Bay Christmas
There’s still opportunity to find a hand-crafted gift from this weekend’s fairs. From Dec. 1 to 3 and Dec. 8 to 10, John Henry’s Christmas Market opens at 4907 Pool Rd., Garden Bay. It’s on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with items from local artisans, carolling, mulled wine, hot chocolate and lights.
Gallery Hours
Don’t miss the annual Christmas sale at the Harbour Gallery in Madeira Park. All artwork, large and small, has been reduced in price for the month of December. The cozy and festive gallery will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays to Dec. 23. The Harbour Artists also invite you to view their recently completed large collaborative piece celebrating the beauty of the Sunshine Coast. The proceeds of the sale of this unique work will fund the Ada Priest Memorial Bursary awarded to a Pender Harbour student furthering their Fine Arts studies. The Harbour Gallery is located at 12954 Gonzales Road, across from the School of Music.
Sarah Wray
The Vintage Christmas Market will be held at the Sarah Wray Hall, 4334 Irvines Landing Rd. in Garden Bay on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Look for treasures, refreshments and music. See penderharbourheritage.ca for more.
The ‘Hood
On Dec. 2 and 3, stop by the popular Arts & Crafts from the ‘Hood Christmas Market at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This Weekend
• All are invited to a reception for the current exhibition at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery (431 Marine Drive) on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. On show is the wildly original work of artist Susanne Biden. This show closes Dec. 3, so catch it while you can.
• Also this Friday, Dec. 1, hear the entertaining Sh-boom and guests in concert at the Sechelt Legion. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more info, contact Nikki Weber at 604-740-0933.
Holiday Faire
The first annual Holiday Market Faire takes place at the Gibsons Public Market, Dec. 8 to 17. Enjoy a Dickensian style Christmas at the Market. Walk through a Victorian village with artisan booths, Santa’s photo booths, activities, live music, seasonal specialties and the opportunity to bid on unique trees. For more information, see gibsonspublicmarket.com. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Monday, Dec. 11).
Arts Building
Introduction to Wet Felting is offered at the Arts Building, (464 S. Fletcher, Gibsons), on Saturday, Dec. 2. Using water, soap and agitation, work the wool fibre to make a few different items in a basic skills-building workshop. Lots of demos and time to explore.
Full Moon Expressions Class is on Sunday, Dec. 3. Explore and release your creative side this next full moon. Sign up and see how this supermoon translates on your 13-inch round canvas as you explore with collage. No experience is necessary. Register for both workshops at artsbuilding.org
Landing Artists
Join The Landing Artists (Sunshine Coast Artists Co-operative) for a three-week sale of giftable art, from paintings to scarves, from baskets to jewelry at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. Check out unique and original lamps by their newest member, Cheryl Kehoe, and stock up on art cards for the coming season. An artist is on site every day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., from Dec. 5 through 23.
Featuring works by Charmaine Bayntun, Diane Clark, Leif Freed, Anna Green, Kim Hadley, Nancy Hugh, Trisha Joel, Cheryl Kehoe, Ruth Rodgers, Brian Romer and Coralie Swaney.
Pet Pictures
It may not be art, but it’s definitely entertaining. The SPCA fundraiser Pet Pictures with Santa takes place at Sunnycrest Mall, Gibsons, on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your pets in their best outfits or come to watch.
Choir Memories
The Pender Harbour Choir under the direction of Kenneth Norman Johnson invites you to enjoy Christmas Memories, a winter concert for the whole family. The community choir, now in its 45th year, will perform both familiar and new music to get you into the spirit of the season. The program will also include solo and duet performances, music by SASS, and a chance for the audience to join in the singing. Performances are 7 p.m. (reception at 6:30 p.m.) on Friday, Dec. 8 at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens in Sechelt and 2 p.m. (reception at 1:30 p.m.) on Sunday, Dec. 10 at the School of Music in Madeira Park. Tickets are $20 (children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, are free) and are available from EarthFair Store in Madeira Park, Sechelt Visitor Centre and from choir members.
Christmas Carol
KoC Productions has partnered with Arbutus Sounds Chorus for the seventh annual radio play to be presented at the Heritage Playhouse on Dec. 8 and 9. It will be an evening of traditional Christmas music and a reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Tickets for $15 and $10 are available at Laedeli and The Blackberry Shop in Gibsons.
Keep Me Posted
Please continue to send me your arts announcements, but note they will run in the newspaper one day to one week ahead, depending on space. Deadline is Tuesday at noon for next Friday’s paper. Email [email protected] or phone her at 604-886-4692.
