The Sunshine Coast’s biggest annual crafting-retail event, the Hackett Park Craft Fair, is back this year after cancelling in 2020 due to the pandemic. But as COVID-19 remains a threat to many, the Sunshine Coast Arts Council has moved the fair to the playing-field area in the upper part of the Sechelt park, where both visitors and vendors can have a little more personal space. “This juried fair offers the finest works of Sunshine Coast artisans, for whom Hackett Park has been a significant source of revenue for over 30 years,” the council noted in a release. Food and live entertainment will be part of the festivities, as always. Saturday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation for adults, free for under-12s.
Serenading star
Staff and patrons at Molly’s Reach restaurant in Gibsons were treated to a spontaneous serenade by singer-songwriter Jann Arden on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 8. Arden brought her guitar to the outer deck and sang them a song, which was caught on video and posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page. Arden, an eight-time Juno Award-winner and star of the TV sitcom, Jann, appeared to be on vacation with a few friends, who all dined together at the restaurant, a Molly’s staff member told Coast Reporter.
New at GPAG
Gibsons Public Art Gallery is featuring two artists in new exhibits that opened Thursday, Aug. 12. The main gallery show is Joy and Sorrow, “meditative landscape” paintings by Sechelt artist Eva Diener. In the Eve Smart Gallery are works by photo-based artist Laura Clark in a show called Fragrance of Time. The exhibits are on until Sept. 6.
Becoming
The Kube gallery in Gibsons has an opening reception at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13 for a new exhibit by Sunshine Coast-based painter Ann-Marie Brown. “Her lush oil and encaustic paintings are an invitation to linger,” said the Kube in a release. “Brown creates an experience for the viewer: the painting reads you, opens something inside you like haiku.”
Meet the Artist
Halfmoon Bay artist Penny Dunford is hosting a discussion and in-person walk-through of her exhibition, Refugees: Lives Behind the News, which is on display for a final weekend at the Doris Crowston Gallery in Sechelt. You’re asked to register in advance for the 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 15 event through eventbrite.ca.
Live music
Lots of music again this weekend, and much of it is free – but do bring a little cash for the tip jars. Deborah Holland is at the Summer Music Series behind the Library in Sechelt on Saturday, Aug. 14. If you missed Georgia Fats in Gibsons last weekend, they’re at Slow Sundays in Roberts Creek on Aug. 15. Deanna Knight brings her Tree-O to Music in the Landing in Gibsons at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, while Mimosa performs at 6:30 p.m. Check out the Coast Reporter Community Calendar and the Coast Cultural Alliance’s suncoastarts.com for a more complete list.
