Cast and crew from the July performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream reunited at the Rockwood Pavilion in Sechelt for a ceremony to hand over the production’s financial proceeds to its chief beneficiary: the Bev Shaw Literacy Fund of the Sunshine Coast Foundation.
The show collected voluntary admissions by donation. A total of $11,500 was raised for the fund, which honours the life and legacies of legendary bookseller Bev Shaw by supporting literacy initiatives on the Sunshine Coast.
Representing the Sunshine Coast Foundation (which administers the fund) were board member Elfie Hofmann and executive director Erin Storey. Shaw’s husband, Tom Lamb, also attended the ceremony, which was officiated by Midsummer director Lise Kreps.
“It’s been amazing to witness how our community has come together to celebrate Bev’s life through the efforts to grow this fund,” said Hofmann. “I’d like to acknowledge and thank the generosity of the community for making this happen, particularly the volunteer performers and crew, and the supporters, who gave their time, talent and energy to create and perform the Midsummer production.”
Discerning identity
The Gibsons and District Public Library is promoting an online-only presentation by bestselling author katherena vermette on the subject of false claims to Indigenous identity.
In the wake of numerous renowned writers, academics, and artists being uncovered as “pretendians,” the issue has increasingly become the subject of popular podcasts, feature articles in major magazines, and even a CBC documentary.
vermette’s new novel, real ones, tells the story of sisters who must face their past trauma when their mother is called out for false claims to Indigenous identity. The book pays homage to the hard-won battles of Michif (Métis) people to regain ownership of their identity.
katherena vermette will make the presentation in conversation with award-winning writer Michelle Cyca on Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is free via www.crowdcast.io/c/bclibraries-katherenavermette.
Bio blitz begins at bookshop
One of the Coast’s finest bookshops will inaugurate a week-long event that is part contest, part scientific enterprise, and part educational event.
The EarthFair Store in Madeira Park plans to host the public kick-off for BioBlitz on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over the five following days, Loon Foundation staff and volunteer experts will lead multiple walk-and-talk events in and around Madeira Park.
Prizes will also be awarded to naturalists participating singly and in groups.
The Loon Foundation, a non-profit organization, is aiming to increase public awareness of the diversity of ecosystems — and to inspire naturalists of all ages. In 2023, the event resulted in 832 observations of 356 species. Complete details (including an appeal for involvement by educators) can be found online at loonfoundation.org.
Sechelt screening exclusive
The Sunshine Coast Film Society will be screening a special film presentation — the 2022 drama Rice Boy Sleeps — at a singular event in Sechelt only, on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
The movie, directed by Anthony Shim, tells the story of a Korean widow named So-young (played by Choi Seung-yoon) who relocates to Canada with her young son, Dong-hyun (Dohyun Noel Hwang as a child, Ethan Hwang as a teenager) in tow. In 1990s Canadian suburbia, they encounter challenges of racism and lack of acceptance. Donh-hyun is bullied in school and So-young battles loneliness and racist and sexist comments at work.
As they negotiate with their separate circumstances, the rift between mother and son grows. Unwelcome news sparks an unplanned return to South Korea — and to the in-laws So-young hasn’t spoken to in many years — but might open up the possibility of mutual understanding.
As with all Film Society events, membership is required to purchase tickets either online (scfs.ca) or at the door.
