Monday, March 8, is International Women's Day, and the Sunshine Coast Film Society decided to select an appropriate film, Desert Hearts, to show on that day.
The film is based on the book Desert of the Heart by the late Jane Rule (Canadian/American lesbian who lived on Galiano Island). It's a simple love story, but the fact that it's about two women in love gives it special significance. The beauty is lovingly captured by director Donna Deitch.
The film stars Helen Shaver and introduces Patricia Charbonneau in a very touching and tender romantic movie. It screens at the Heritage Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. See www.scfs.ca for more information about this and future films. Alison Sawyer Law Firm is generously sponsoring this film.
This weekend
Award-winning jazz instrumentalist Celso Machado appears tonight (Friday) at the Heritage Playhouse at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Gaia's Fair Trade, Sechelt Visitors Centre and Wild Bistro.
The healing arts are showcased at the Community Centre in Gibsons on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during a Health Fair with displays, demonstrations, samples and sessions. More information is at www.healthfestival.net.
Fundraiser
This Saturday, March 6, at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt is the Enduro Africa Fundraiser with a live band, silent auction and more. It starts at 7 p.m., and the $20 admission includes a steak dinner. The event is a fundraiser for children's charities in Africa. Call 604-741-4459 for more information.
New ensemble
The Osiris Trio, a group from the Netherlands, had to cancel their appearance at the Coast Recital Society's concert series this Sunday.
Instead, the organization will present a Toronto-based group, the Amici Chamber Ensemble, at 2:30 p.m. with a pre-concert chat at 1:30, at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt. See the story on page B3 in this issue.
Burton paintings
The featured artist for March at 101 Office Supply in Sechelt is George Burton. He has been painting since 1938 when he received a set of oil paints as a gift from his future wife, Rose. Self-taught, Burton developed his own technique and style, recognizable by its detail and dimensionality. He has taught oil painting in B.C., Ontario, and Florida, and has won a number of awards from honourable mention to best of show. Although his work is largely landscape, the artist also enjoys painting wildlife, flowers, and old barns. For this show, he has supplied a selection of medium sized canvasses including some recent works. At the age of 90, he continues to create extensively.
Watershed painting
Roberts Creek artist Cody Chancellor has opened his latest show, Watershed, Diversity, Paintings at Sailor Dan's at the Cedar's Inn in Gibsons. The show is now on until March 30. On Saturday, March 13, he is holding an opening from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring music by JJ Wagler. Chancellor said he's put together this show to share his watershed painting series and to remind all how important this natural resource is. They are acrylic on recycled wood, ranging from small to large. As well, there are other paintings from his past that he said "do not get out much. Learn more about the artist at www.chancellor.net.
Arts Building
During Spring Break many interesting workshops are on tap at the Arts Building. Jean-Pierre Makosso is offering African dance and drumming classes for six to 12 year olds, and Kaia Neilsen is holding a drawing/painting workshop for nine to 15 year olds. Also on Saturday, March 13 there is a spinning workshop with Birgit Rasmussen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. is a fun all-ages event called Spreading the Word at which people can add words or images onto a T-shirt or banner.
For more information see www.artsbuilding.org or phone 604-886-6610.
On the horizon
Here is some brief, advance notice of events to come this month so you can refresh your calendars:
The Zimbabwean fusion band Zimbamoto appears at the Roberts Creek Hall on March 20.
The Coast String Fiddlers proudly announce the return of Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at St. Bartholomew's Church, Gibsons, on March 21.
The Canadian Federation of University Women present their bursary fundraiser and fashion faux pas show on March 27. More on these later.
Keep me posted with your arts events. Email me at [email protected] by Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Friday's paper, or phone me at 604-886-4692.
