The Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival and Beyond wound up its 27th season last week with a triumphant weekend of performances in Gibsons and Sechelt.
Its opening concert — Tribute to the Legendary Ladies of Jazz — attracted a capacity audience to the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
The show featured a lineup of 18 vocalists, each delivering her homage to a 20th-century jazz diva: Anna Lumière, Deanna Knight, Heather Doré, Jacqueline Allan, Jan Gillis, Jill Shatford, Joan Vernon, Joy Germaine, Karen Graves, Keely Halward, Lynne Dickson, Maddy Weber, Nancy Pincombe, Patrice Pollack, Susann Richter, Trudi Diening, Wanda Nowicki and Wendy Hibberd.
Impresario Nikki Weber received an ovation from the crowd for her influence on many of the singers. Weber is producing the upcoming Sh-Boom and Friends performance on July 8 (tickets available at Strait Music).
Sunday’s three-ensemble lineup at Winegarden Park concluded with the Daniel Brubeck Quartet and attracted approximately 500 spectators to the park’s grassy amphitheatre. A total of nine uniquely memorable performances took place over the festival’s three days.
Art gallery paints the town red
The Gibsons Public Art Gallery is celebrating two decades of community arts, and has announced a lineup of special events from July 1 to 9.
The main gallery will feature displays from the past and present, plus the institution’s future vision. The Eve Smart gallery will contain a collection of Smart’s works, teacups and biography. For youths, the Children’s Paint’n Station offers a chance to design the “GPAG of the Future.”
On Saturday, July 1 (from 3 to 4 p.m.), the gallery honours artists, members, sponsors, volunteers and the community with fizzy drinks and cake. On July 5, a two-hour tea (starting at 2 p.m.) commemorates the legacy of Eve Smart. Registration is required in advance by emailing [email protected].
On Thursday, July 6 (from 4 to 7 p.m.), a live art contest takes place with the opportunity for participants to observe, paint, draw, sketch, or collage. Spectators are welcome to indulge in a cash bar service and snacks.
Artist demos featuring Hiroshi Shimazaki, Todd Clark, Janet Ritchey, Nadina Tandy, Kasia Krolikowska, Bruce Edwards, Paula O’Brien, and Jennifer Love are scheduled from July 2 to 8. On July 7, the Pulling Strings ukulele ensemble will perform; guitarist Jim Taylor plays on July 9.
Full event listings are available at www.gpag.ca.
Calling all Wesleyians
The irrepressible Daniel Wesley and his band are planning a Reggae Dance Party at Roberts Creek Community Hall on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m.
“Dancing is encouraged,” said Wesley, whose post-pandemic return to the stage was heralded by a West Coast tour.
Information and tickets can be found on eventbrite.ca.
Partners in gratitude
People previously staying at the RainCity shelter recently extended an offer to St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt. Shelter occupants were displaced by a fire at RainCity’s Wharf Street location in February and St. Hilda’s allowed BC Housing to rent space to house up to 20 people.
To express their gratitude, RainCity occupants offered to clean and paint the church’s labyrinth. Church leaders accepted the offer and turned it into a collaborative project.
Labyrinths, which have a millennia-long history in Western culture, serve as aids to meditation. Users of the labyrinth at St. Hilda’s include neighbours, yoga groups, Girl Guides, community visitors and local parishioners.
The St. Hilda’s labyrinth was initially constructed in 2002. It has not been repainted since 2015. RainCity guests and St. Hilda’s parishioners will repaint the labyrinth during the week of July 10 to 14.
Observers and volunteer labourers are welcome. To offer assistance with a paint brush or roller, or with a supportive donation, contact Bruce Pond at [email protected].
