One of the Sunshine Coast’s most potent young talents, vocalist Brielle Taylor, is on the hunt for other experienced, committed teenage musicians who want to write songs about social issues like mental health and climate change.
“This is a project I have wanted to work on for a very long time,” said Taylor. “I believe that music is an accessible, powerful tool to spread messages when words can’t.”
Taylor, who sings with the BELT progressive grunge band and has participated regularly in the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts, cited legendary Coast musician Daniel Kingsbury as her inspiration.
Before his death in 2015, Kingsbury composed more than 250 original songs and founded the Jellyfish Project, which inspires climate action through live music performances. His leadership is further perpetuated through the Daniel Kingsbury Music for Youth Endowment, which supports emerging artists.
“I would be so thrilled if anyone could help in making this project come to life,” added Taylor. Socially conscious harmonizers can reach her on Instagram at @brielletaylormusic.
Voices on the rise
The Technology Festival Association of BC, in partnership with local Toastmasters, has announced that it will host the regional Skills Canada BC Speakers Competition on the Sunshine Coast on March 6.
The inaugural event was held in March at Elphinstone Secondary School, and drew two competitors: Grade 10 students Louise Olaniyan and Atala Herrera Stevens. Olaniyan later earned the bronze medal at the BC provincial Skills Canada public speaking competition in Abbotsford.
Two virtual information sessions have been announced for parents and students — on Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. The session will feature information about the competitions plus tips for speaking and confidence. Details and registration are available online at https://bit.ly/48Q9dTs.
Bringing the war home
On Nov. 23, an enthusiastic group of family and friends gathered at the Sunshine Coast Golf Club for the launch of a new book by John Roper: Children of War - A Family History. The gathering featured a presentation of Roper’s work and readings by the author, vintage songs by Deanna Knight, and a luncheon.
John Roper was born in London in 1939 and has documented the story of three generations of his family spanning the years 1879 to 1952. His grandfather was a photojournalist before the First World War whose children grew to adulthood and married during the interwar period. Their children were born into the period of the Second World War and its aftermath.
Roper’s book contains personal accounts of family members in action with the Royal Air Force and Navy, as well as of the wives, mothers and children who coped with bombing, evacuation, and shortages of food and fuel. Among the volume’s 630 illustrations are previously unpublished historical images by three photojournalists linked by the family tree: Frederic, George and Wilfred.
Children of War is based on 10 years of research by Roper and his cousin Gerry in London who archived and digitized photographs dating from 1912 to 2020. The full-size hardcover edition was produced for family members, contributors and supporters.
While his book is not available for sale, the author has donated copies for educational access to the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 (Gibsons), and local libraries. Interested readers can obtain copies at those locations, or from the author via his publisher at www.tmipublications.com.
Elves are in the building
The annual Elves Club Telethon — a decades-long Sunshine Coast tradition that raises money for families in need — also provides an encyclopedic survey of some of the region’s most dynamic arts.
This weekend, the telethon will broadcast (to cable subscribers) via Eastlink Community TV and stream live to the public via the web at elvesclub.ca.
A partial list of performers includes Charlotte Wrinch, Anneka Bonser, John Rule and Boyd Norman; the Knotty Dotters marimba collective; the Coast String Fiddlers; string players from the Serena Eades Academy of Music and Gracenotes Music Studio; singer Karen Webb; singer-songwriter Ashley Hautala; beach music rocker Daniel Wesley, and dancers from all three studios: Waldorf Ballet, the Coast Academy of Dance, and the Gibsons Dance Centre. A total of 19 unique acts are scheduled.
Meanwhile, volunteers from first responder agencies will be soliciting donations along intersections of Highway 101.
The variety show-style telethon (which includes former Coast Reporter reporter Keili Bartlett as one of its six hosts) will run from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
