The international champions of women’s acapella barbershop singing, the Lions Gate Sweet Adelines Chorus, performed a final victory lap at the Sweet Adelines International Competition in Kansas City, Missouri this fall. Gibsons-based chorister Connie Johnston was among the 100 members who delivered a 30-minute spectacle on Oct. 31 that included instant costume changes, precision choreography, and expertly rendered performance of close harmony.
“As outgoing world champions, we were not allowed to compete, but were expected to deliver a performance as outgoing champs,” said Johnston. Johnston was the director of a former women’s chorus on the Coast known as Arbutus Sounds.
“2024 is the Lions Gate Chorus’s 70th anniversary year,” said musical director Sandy Marron. “This community actually creates life-changing relationships and experiences. Our impossible dream may have taken a bit of time, but it did happen, and it can happen for any one of us. If you believe and give it everything you’ve got, anything is possible — but first, you dream.”
A recording of the swan song by the Lions Gate Chorus, a performance that eludes the strongest superlatives in the Art Beat arsenal, is available for viewing online by browsing to youtube.com/@SweetAdelinesInternational.
Christmas has a dozen days
An annual musical tradition on the Sunshine Coast is serving up another set of choral offerings to celebrate Christmas with a nod to its ancient foundations. The MOTET chamber choir is a group of singers dedicated to performing sacred music. “It seeks to bring the beauty of church music to where it is most missed and needed,” said director David Poon.
MOTET’s Twelve Days of Christmas program runs on Dec. 30 at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt (following an appearance at Vancouver’s St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Dec. 28). The music starts at 3 p.m., recognizing overlooked festivities occurring between Dec. 25 and Jan. 6 each year.
The lineup includes words from prophecies of Isaiah concerning the advent of King David; the Coventry Carol, which recalls infants massacred by King Herod; and remembrances of three different Popes for various contributions to history.
Perennial favourite composers David Willcocks and Herbert Howells will be sung alongside works by Renaissance composer Francisco Guerrero and living composer Barnaby Smith.
An admission donation of $15 to $25 is suggested for those who are able.
A place for light to grow
The Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden is preparing an illuminating vigil to mark the longest night of the year, to anticipate the return of the sun’s light, and to give thanks for winter rest and renewal.
Its family-friendly Solstice Celebration, on Dec. 21 (from 4 to 7 p.m.), will include story theatre, a lantern procession through the garden, and fireside music. Lanterns and artistic elements have been created by artists Hazel Bell-Koski, Julia Booth, Lesley Cuming, and Sarah Noni.
Admission to the evening celebration is by donation.
Theatre to foster filmmakers
The Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt has announced a competition for young filmmakers (individuals or groups) between the ages of 13 and 19. Movies must be under 10 minutes, but can embrace any genre or theme.
The competition follows industry-accepted practices for film development. A one-page proof of concept must be sent to organizers by Jan. 10. A storyboard and shot list should follow by March 7. Final submissions are to be sent by April 4 at noon.
Impassioned indie filmmakers should email [email protected] to register for the event.
More cases to crack
There are rumblings across Highway 101 communities about a potential renewal of the Fox Entertainment-backed TV series Murder in a Small Town. Its first season, which aired early this fall, brought detective stories by L. R. Wright to the small screen in an episodic format that starred Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk.
According to producer Nick Orchard, “Fox hasn’t made it official but it looks all but a certainty. They have us writing scripts, preparing budgets and schedules.”
The series, which was praised by Internet reviewers as an “easy-going crime drama,” involved scores of local extras and crew members during springtime production of its inaugural eight episodes. A decision by Fox Entertainment is expected in the next few weeks.
