Local Arts

Reviews from around the world have hailed Mahalia Jackson as one of America's leading gospel singers. She is certainly the best known, with a career that included television, radio and concerts.

The combined choirs of Powell River and Pender Harbour along with the Chamber Orchestra - a total of about 100 people - squeezed onto the Raven's Cry Theatre stage last Saturday for a performance of George Frideric Handel's sacred oratorio, Messiah.

Thursday, April 5, the Gum-boot Café in Roberts Creek will screen seven short films made by a group of Israeli, Palestinian and Canadian youth who participated in the Peace It To-gether project this summer.

Britain in wartime - humour was desperately needed in a world turned upside down by the war.

The Last Mimzy, a fantasy film for the whole family, directed by Robert Shaye, opened at the Gibsons Cinema last Friday, on the first day of its Canadian launch.

The Sunshine Coast is being treated to OrienTik/Portrait an eclectic afternoon of contemporary dance, taiko percussion and classical piano by the Erasga Dance Co. This will be an hour-long powerful performance with an artist's talk to follow.

The Coast String Fiddlers (CSF) wowed Vancouver during Celtic Fest March 17 and 18.

Take a trip to Wonderville, if you can, this weekend or next. It's a hilarious place to be, if a little eccentric.

The Foggy Hogtown Boys were having a tough time with the first gig on their western tour. First stop was St. Bart's Church in Gibsons on March 8, but it took 18 hours of travel from Hogtown, a.k.a. Toronto, to get there.

From original ballads to Celtic fiddle, from big band tunes to sizzling rock, the Elphinstone Secondary School musical gala night Tuesday showcased a huge variety of exceptional high school talent.