Artists unite to support Ukraine
Tickets are apparently sold out for a humanitarian fundraiser taking place at High Beam Dreams in Gibsons on Saturday, March 12, but the organizer—the Rotary Club of Gibsons—is still collecting contributions in aid of Ukrainian citizens and refugees affected by armed conflict in that country.
Following a Ukrainian dinner, a cavalcade of Sunshine Coast artists will perform during the fundraiser, including Elena Bondareva, Elena Nikitina, Barbara Adler, Wanda Nowicki and Michael Friedman, Adrian Glynn, and the Anagram Duo of Anna Lumiere and Graham Ord.
“I think it’s always important to act as an artist, in any society, when there’s a need,” said Lumiere. “It’s important to reflect what’s happening in the world in a creative way, and to shed light on it.”
Vineet Miglani, director of High Beam Dreams and a member of the Gibsons Rotary Club, said that the group is taking direction from Ukrainian families on the Sunshine Coast in order to identify a beneficiary of its fundraising efforts. Clothing and household goods are also being collected for eventual shipment to Ukraine.
Other venues are also organizing creative fundraisers for Ukraine. Gramma’s Pub in Gibsons will donate 100 per cent of its sales on Sunday, March 13 to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. On the same day, from 3 to 6 p.m., the Fade n Dye Hair Salon in Roberts Creek is offering haircuts by donation. Contributions will benefit CARE Canada to provide emergency essentials to Ukraine’s most vulnerable people.
Music in the marketplace
On Saturday, March 12, local singer-songwriter Michelle Morand will perform at the Gibsons Public Market.
Morand’s music has been described as “melodic, moving and thought-provoking.” A regular performer at Sunshine Coast events, Morand uses words and music to share personal explorations that are deeply emotional.
Her concert in the Gibsons Public Atrium will run from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Get your groove on
The local groove rock band known as Astral Motion will be performing at the Tapworks Brewing Company in Gibsons on Saturday, March 12.
The band features Patrick Miller on guitar, Jay Walter on bass, Dan Richter on guitar, and Allain Morin on drums. Miller, Walter and Richter also serve up the group’s vocals.
Admission is $10; tickets are available at gibsonstapworks.com. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Seatings are now available for The Dining Room
The Driftwood Players have announced dates for the upcoming in-person performances of playwright A.R. Gurney’s The Dining Room. The two-act play will be presented at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. on March 31, April 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9.
Matinee performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. on April 3 and 10.
A comedy of manners, the play recounts the transformation of American nuclear families throughout the 20th century.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at driftwoodplayers.ca or in person from Gibsons Florist or Sechelt’s Strait Music.
Course correction
The hour of maritime historian Vickie Jensen’s upcoming reading from her new book Deep, Dark and Dangerous: The Story of BC’s World-Class Undersea Tech Industry was incorrectly printed in last week’s Arts pages.
Jensen will be navigating the history of B.C.’s underwater industry at the Gibsons Public Library on Saturday, March 12 at 2 p.m.
In-person space is limited, and advance registration is required. The event will also be broadcast via Zoom. Registration and more details are available from gibsons.bc.libraries.coop.
