Local Arts

The first Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival held last year in Madeira Park proved an unqualified success with sold out houses and, to quote one fan, "soul stirring musical experiences.

It started slowly this year. The 24th annual Festival of the Written Arts in Sechelt was heading for a low key opening night Aug. 3.

Last June, John and Verna Elliottwere beachcombing on Brooks Penin-sula on the west coast of Vancouver Island when they came across a hand blown glass bottle with three messages inside, one of which included an email address.

When high school opens next fall, eight teenage dancers who are serious about their art will be involved in a new pilot program.

All is in place at the Sechelt Airport on Saturday for the District's 50th anniversary concert celebration. Dozens of helpers are available to direct parking, an abundance of food vendors will provide everything from samosas to lattés.

I've always envied a good singing voice. Whenever I lift my own voice in song, people scatter -though my singing has certainly come in handy on the hiking trail when I want to frighten bears.

The results of a major regional scan of the Coast's arts activity were published recently in a 32-page report from consultant Sydney Johnsen of Grant Thornton Management.

When the label-defying musician Kinnie Starr appears at the 50th anniversary concert at the airport this coming weekend, July 29 and 30, she will also be returning to her new home town of Sechelt.

Wilson Creek glassblower Jan Benda has reason to smile when he looks around his airy, bright showroom these days.

Music and art-making are the big attractions at the third annual Sechelt Arts Festival coming up July 29 to Aug. 7. Though the word "family" is no longer in the description of the festival, it is still very much about families.