Vancouver Viols is a consortium of musicians in and around Vancouver who are dedicated to exploring music for viola da gamba: a Renaissance instrument with a rich, clear, and expressive sound. While the viol originated hundreds of years ago, it remains part of a vibrant living tradition of professional and amateur players, composers and enthusiasts. A concert titled Alio Modo will be held at St. Bart’s Anglican Church, Gibsons, this Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. In this distinctive programme, five local musicians come together to explore the full potential of the instrument from the playfulness of Christopher Tye’s In Nomine: Crye, in which the instruments imitate the shouts of a street vendor, to the sheer joy of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Agnus Dei, heard in a new arrangement by local organist David Poon. One possible translation of “alio modo” is “in another style.” The music presented in this concert casts a broad net, but the fundamental effect is sonorous, moving and timeless. Tickets are $20 advance (available at Laedeli and Sechelt Visitor Centre), $25 at the door. Youth go free with a paying adult.
This Weekend
• Break out the bubbly for the fifth annual Oscars Eve Party on Saturday, March 3 at Cowrie Cabaret in Trail Bay Mall, Sechelt, put on by the Sechelt Rotary Club. The party begins at 7:30 p.m. with the March Hare Band performing at 8:30. See www.share-there.com for tickets.
• The Rakish Angles, an award-winning group, play at Coopers Green Hall, Halfmoon Bay, this Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 at Halfmoon Bay General Store, Welcome Woods Market and Pastimes in Sechelt.
Lucky
On Saturday, March 3 the Sunshine Coast Film Society (SCFS) presents Lucky: a funny, poignant portrait of a man approaching death with all the dignity he can muster. From yoga exercises to his daily pack of smokes, Lucky does it his way. But now he’s approaching the end, and it’s time to take stock. In Sechelt at the Raven’s Cry Theatre, film starts at 2 p.m. Members $5, non-members $9. Call 604-886-2965 for more. Lucky screens again on Monday, March 5 at the Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the SCFS annual general meeting.
Salmon of Wisdom
The play reading series started by local actor and playwright David King will be featuring a play by author Kathy Para on Sunday, March 4 (postponed from last week) at the Gibsons Public Market. The play, Salmon of Wisdom, will be read by local actors at 1 p.m. on the third floor, Coast room. Admission is pay-what-you-can.
Butler in the Hey
Saturday, March 3 sees the return of Butler in the Hey to the Gibsons Legion. Get rid of the winter blahs by dancing to the reggae funk vibes of this popular local band. Music starts at 8 p.m.
Watercolour
Are you drawn to the beauty and translucent quality of watercolour paints? If your inner artist is calling out for expression, then a course at the Arts Building, 464 S. Fletcher, Gibsons, called Beginner Watercolour is for you. Artist Roberta Mauel will guide you through a series of exercises and paintings to help you feel at ease with this very accessible creative expression in morning classes on March 3, 10, 17, 24. Various themes will be explored such as cultural landscapes, trees and forest scenes, still-life, flower paintings and more. Register at www.artsbuilding.org
Loom Weaving
Interested in learning how to weave? Haley Hunt-Brondwin leads a workshop, Weaving 101: An Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving, on Saturday, March 3, starting at 10 a.m. at The Kube in Gibsons (#101 - 875 Gibsons Way). All supplies are included in the registration fee. It’s fun, easy to learn, and a great entry into the world of weaving.
CRS Pianist
One of the world’s leading pianists, Angela Hewitt returns to the Coast Recital Society on Sunday, March 4 at Raven’s Cry Theatre. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m., with a pre-concert chat at 1:30 p.m. hosted by CRS artistic director Frances Heinsheimer Wainwright. Admitted into Gramophone’s Hall of Fame in 2015, Hewitt’s performances and recordings of Bach have drawn particular praise, marking her out as one of the composer’s foremost interpreters of our time. For her CRS recital, Angela Hewitt will perform music by J.S. Bach, Scarlatti and Beethoven. Information: 604-885-0991.
Clown Class
Clown class for the creatives, the curious and the confused. (Performers and non-performers welcome.) Explore humour, theatre, the creative process, sacrilege and a bit of neuroscience. This workshop is similar to Practice of Play but goes further into the creative development of work. It’s on six Mondays, starting March 5 (6:30 to 9:30) at the Eric Cardinall Hall, 930 Chamberlin Road. Cost is on a sliding scale. Lisa Voth is a seasoned facilitator and a theatre teacher, theatre artist and somatic therapist. She has been investigating this work for almost two decades. Contact: [email protected] with questions or see www.lisavoth.ca
Bottom Shelf Bourbon
The Bottom Shelf Bourbon Trio plays core roots music anchored between the lowdown grit and growl of early blues, the high lonesome sounds of bluegrass, and hardcore punk. Their music explores universal themes of substance abuse, infidelity, blue-collar angst, unrequited love, and nostalgia. The Vancouver band’s members are currently a duo: Steven Huston (vocals/upright bass/guitar) and Chris Dawson-Murphy (banjo/guitar/vocals). They will play the Roberts Creek Legion on Friday, March 9 at 8 p.m., as well as The 101 Brewery & Distillery, Gibsons, on Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m.
Woodcut Workshop
The Sunshine Coast Arts Council presents their first in a series of print workshops. The two-part fundamental Woodcut Workshop will be held Saturday, March 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Art Studio in the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, led by master printmaker Leonard Brett. Part I will be an introduction to the woodcut and will involve participants beginning to carve their own woodblock. Part II will centre on printing with the carved woodblocks. Instructor Brett has been widely recognized through his four-decade career, both as a teacher and as an artist. As well, he was a founding member, designer and president of the Dundarave Print Workshop on Granville Island where he continues to work while currently based on the Sunshine Coast. The class is limited to eight and is not suitable for children. The fee for the two classes is $200 and includes materials and the use of tools. Pre-register by calling the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre at 604-885-5412 or by emailing [email protected]. This series of workshops has been made possible by a grant from the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation.
Message Me
Send notice of your arts and entertainment events to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Items go into the Art Beat column one day to one week ahead only, depending on space.
