Local Arts

Local audiences haven't seen much of Gibsons singer-songwriter Lowry Olafson lately. He's been away a lot. Truth is, he's been leading a double life.

A small group of Coast music lovers gathered at Gibsons United Church in 1973 to hold the first ever Festival of the Performing Arts, then known simply as the Music Festival.

The magic of music, a belief in excellence and the dedication of youth to improving and supporting their community can't be anything but a winning combination of skills and joy.

Folk music tells the stories of people and places, and Canada's James Keelaghan is certainly that kind of storyteller.

It's going to be a fantastic show. That's the word from several of the students who will appear in this year's Showcase of the Performing Arts at Chatelech Secondary School on Tuesday, April 8. The annual showcase has a new twist this year.

Maggie Spencer is a likeable heroine who has seized the prime of her life - her 50s - to prove that she can sleuth with the best of them.

The Melville boys are an odd couple. Of the two brothers, Lee is the more sober, married and stuck in a rut in the eyes of his brother. Owen is single, lusty and determined to bring more laughs into Lee's life.

Little Mosque on the Prairie is coming to the Coast. Producer Michael Snook will be bringing the hit CBC comedy to Sechelt March 28 to April 2.

Allison Crowe has a big, big voice. Last Saturday evening, the Canadian songstress held a near capacity crowd at the Heritage Playhouse in thrall during a powerful performance that included original compositions as well as popular covers.

Ulrich Schaffer is a poet, a photographer and a philosopher.