Vancouver’s hottest swing string quartet brings their hit Christmas concert to the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. presented by the Sunshine Coast Jazz & Entertainment Society. Renowned for the quality of their musicianship and as great entertainers, Van Django’s variety show is a merry Christmas mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, sing-alongs, pop tunes, some classical touches, and a few surprises – all delivered in their swinging gypsy jazz style. Joining Van Django’s violinist Cameron Wilson, guitarist Budge Schachte, guitarist/cellist Finn Manniche and bassist Brent Gubbels is harmonica virtuoso Keith Bennett and stellar vocalist LJ Mounteney. Van Django’s music combines a wealth of musical influences and has strong roots in the gypsy jazz made famous by Django Reinhardt and the 1930s Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Tickets are $25 at Strait Music in Sechelt, MELOmania in Roberts Creek, Gaia’s Fair Trade in Gibsons, online at www.coastjazz.com or at the door.
Festive arts
The seventh annual Festive Sale is this weekend – a big pop-up shop at the Arts Building that is quirky, tasty, and unique. It’s set up as a treasure trove for some intense browsing. There will be tasty food to enjoy, and the work of many local artists and craftspeople including some sweet vintage items. It runs this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Arts Building, 464 S. Fletcher, Gibsons. See www.artsbuilding.org for more.
Festive music
Come hear a festive music celebration with an irreverent twist. Experience some of the classics of the season, with elements of levity and songs on the lighter side of sacred – from holy to holly – on Monday, Dec. 14 at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, Sechelt, at 1:30 p.m. or on Friday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at the Gumboot Café, Roberts Creek. The show features Anna Lumiere (piano, accordion), Graham Ord (sax, flute, percussion) and Jill Shatford (vocals, ridiculousness). Tickets at the door are $10 to $15. To reserve, email [email protected]. Doors open 30 minutes before show time.
Company B
Company B Jazz Band returns to the Pender Harbour Music School on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available at Harbour Insurance in Madeira Park, Sechelt Visitor Centre and at www.penderharbourmusic.ca. Very few groups have the dynamic combination of musical talent, energy, showmanship and just plain va-va-vooom that the Company B Jazz Band possesses.
Messiah
For the third year, the Coast Messiah Choir is pleased to present the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Joy McLeod. The choir will be accompanied by string quartet and harpsichord and joined by trumpets for selected choruses. Hear part one of Messiah and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto for strings and harpsichord on Dec. 13 and again on Dec. 16, both at 7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church, 5085 Davis Bay Rd. Admission is $20 and tickets are available from choir members, Sechelt Visitor Centre and Laedeli Gifts in Gibsons, or call 604-885-9015.
Magic Flute
On Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. the Met Opera series at Raven’s Cry Theatre continues with Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Dancing bears, flying birds, even a giant serpent – all are brought vividly to life through Taymor’s ingenious use of puppetry. This abridged version is sung in English. Run time is nearly two hours with no intermission. Tickets are $24 (general), $20 (seniors-65 plus), or call 604-885-4597.
Uncle Wiggly
Heritage Playhouse Productions presents Uncle Wiggly’s Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse (662 North Rd. in Gibsons). The nine-member group performs blues, swing and R&B classics from the 1920s and on. This refreshing take on Christmas has sold out in previous shows. See www.unclewigglyshotshoesbluesband.com for more. Tickets are $25 and are at Laedeli Gifts and Sechelt Visitor Centre.
Quest for the light
Follow The Only Animal deep into the forest Sunday, Dec. 20, the darkest night of the year, on a quest to bring back the light. Journey into this dark and frozen world to find the spark of a new start on a night hike with irreverent theatrical illuminations plus flaming instruments. It begins at 4:30 p.m., and is suitable for enthusiastic hikers of all ages. Bring a flashlight. Wear sensible shoes. Nightlight is part of a year of art in, around and in support of the expanded Mt. Elphinstone Provincial Park brought to you by The Only Animal group that makes art with a deep relationship to place. Nightlight is free with reservations required at a secret location on Mt. Elphinstone. Book at www.theonlyanimal.com. Nightlight is directed by Kendra Fanconi, with land art by Sarita Opal Moodie, with John Korsrud (of Vancouver’s Hard Rubber Orchestra) on the flaming trumpet, Karen Bulmer (Associate Professor of Tuba at Memorial University) on the flaming tuba, with local percussionist Barry Taylor (Roots Roundup) and technical direction by Cody Chancellor.
Trail tales
The Trans Canada Trail adventurer and film-maker from Pender Harbour, Dianne Whelan, is regrouping in Vancouver for a short break this Christmas while she gears up for winter weather. She will be returning to hike from where she left off in Prince Edward Island, but not before giving an account of The First 100 Days at a fundraiser for her journey at the Petley Jones Gallery, 1554 W. 6th, Vancouver on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.500daysinthewild.eventbrite.ca
Sechelt arts
The District of Sechelt is in the process of updating its Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan. Residents are invited to participate in the cultural planning process by sharing their comments and ideas with the arts coordinator at the Community Meeting Room, 5797 Cowrie St., Sechelt on Friday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or complete an online survey. For more information on Sechelt’s plan, see sechelt.ca, or contact Siobhan Smith, arts coordinator, at [email protected] or 604-989-0804.
Music for youth
Sunshine Coast Community Services and Coast Cultural Alliance are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for this year’s Daniel Kingsbury Music for Youth endowment grant. The grant is open to Sunshine Coast youth ages 13 to 19 requiring financial assistance and may be completed by the youths themselves or by a nominator who would like to recommend a youth with the consent of the youth. Past applicants may apply again. Funding assistance may be for opportunities such as music lessons, musical instruments, and/or electronic production. They may be able to offer more than one $500 grant this year. Deadline for application is Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. Applications are at www.suncoastarts.com
Noon deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Art Beat covers events one day to one week ahead.
