Local Arts

The Creek Big Band of 16 members (17 with band leader Blaine Dunaway) filled the stage in last weekend's kick off to the Festival of Wind Music at the Heritage Playhouse, presented by the Sunshine Coast Music Society.

The phenomenon known as Burning Man is difficult to describe. It is an annual eight-day festival that draws 40,000 people to the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada during the heat of the Labour Day weekend to act out their dreams.

It's about time that Coast performer Jean-Pierre Makosso be allowed to bring his wife and daughter to Canada, as he would like to do. I'm not alone in wishing this for him.

Musician Lowry Olafson is on tour right now. There's nothing unusual about that, since the Gibsons' song-writer has had seven CDs released in his career and has frequently toured the country to give concerts.

If you miss a step -just smile - encouraging words from instructor Jean-Pierre Makosso who is teaching African dance lessons starting Sunday in honour of Black History month. Classes start Feb. 25 at the Granthams Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

It seems fate was pulling Coast resident Carol Stewart toward the Vietnam Friendship Village.

Cellist Shauna Rolston and pianist Heather Schmidt of Toronto are about to face one of their toughest Coast audiences.

Sechelt artist Shannon Hergott has opened her very first show at the La Cabana Gallery on Cowrie Street - a series of pen and ink drawings.

The first Coast Festival of Wind Music is slated for March 3 and 4 at the Heritage Playhouse. Presented by the Sunshine Coast Music Society, this should be quite the weekend. The ever-popular Creek Big Band (CBB) is first up.

The Sunshine Coast Arts Council is pleased to present the work of two photographers at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre Gallery. The exhibitors from Feb. 21 through March 25 are Heather Conn and Florence Debeugny.