Marisa Alps, executive and artistic director of the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award. The Association of Book Publishers of BC announced the honour at an industry reception held in Vancouver on May 8.
Alps is a 30-year veteran of the publishing industry, with 28 years at Harbour Publishing, Nightwood Editions, then Douglas & McIntyre. She took the reins at the Sechelt-based writers festival in 2022.
The award recognizes her commitment to B.C. authors and their books through “countless hours she has poured into supporting them, with just as many hours spent on advocacy and mentoring newcomers to the industry.”
The association of book publishers estimated that Alps has trained over a hundred interns and co-op students, many who are still working in the industry.
The award is named for the pioneering publisher and founder of Gray’s Publishing and is presented biannually to an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the book publishing industry in the province.
Plucky ukes make hospice hum
Ukulele players filled the stage of Chatelech Secondary School’s theatre on May 23, raising $7,332.20 for the Sunshine Coast Hospice through admissions and donations.
The Uke for Hospice Fundraiser was organized by Reg and Lynne Dickson and featured two large ukulele ensembles directed by Lynne: the Mother Pluckers and the Other Pluckers. Local singer Rae Armour also performed, in addition to the Definitely Diva trio of Lynne Dickson, Wendy Hibberd and Patrice Pollack. Reg Dickson opened the show with heart-warming anthems to baseball and hockey, self-accompanied on the guitar.
The Dicksons’ Uke for Hospice concert has become an annual fixture of the Hike for Hospice campaign. The campaign comes to an end on June 1; support for local teams can be pledged via the hospice website at coasthospice.com/hike-for-hospice.
Kestra quartet strikes a chord
The Kestra jazz quartet — Martin Nemcovsky (bass), Regan Haydu (drums), Ken Grunenberg (sax) and Steve Giltrow (guitars) — played to a packed house at St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church on May 25. The concert featured jazz standards (notably a seductively lilting version of “Lullaby of Birdland”) and original tunes by Grunenberg and Giltrow, many inspired by Sunshine Coast locales. Grunenberg’s nonchalant countenance belied the deep feeling he expressed through his soprano and tenor instruments. Giltrow followed his light-hearted introduction of each piece with creased-brow concentration, finessing each note. The four players traded solos seamlessly, only a mirthful glance from Nemcovsky or Haydu’s wan smile needed to signal a change of pace.
The group’s rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” drew audible sighs of contentment from the capacity audience.
Audio clips from the quartet are available at Giltrow’s website: stevegiltrow.ca.
An incendiary barbecue
St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church in Gibsons will host a public FireSmart Kick-Off barbecue on June 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event includes live musical entertainment, tours of St. Bart’s new FireSmart gardens, and an introduction to the church’s new childcare facility. Information will be available for property owners wishing to assess their buildings for fire risk. Hot dogs and fries (presumably only lightly roasted) will be prepared by the Lions Club.
