On Friday, April 21 at Cedar Grove Elementary School at 7 p.m., virtuoso Brazilian guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and percussionist Celso Machado with present a concert for the whole family, a fundraiser for both Cedar Grove and Jack and Jill Preschool. Machado just received his third Juno award nomination for Best World Music Recording. He is a world-class performer and has been performing on concert stages throughout Brazil, Western Europe, Canada and the United States for over 30 years and is regularly heard on CBC Radio and Radio Canada.
Why a fundraiser for local schools? Because Machado is also a proud father of two kids who attend these schools and wanted to offer his help. He and his family moved to Gibsons two years ago.
Jack and Jill Parent Participation Non-Profit Preschool has provided an exceptional learning experience to preschoolers in Gibsons for over 30 years. If you are one of those kids with fond memories of preschool, come out and enjoy yourself while supporting your old school. The grounds attached to Cedar Grove enjoy extensive use by localresidents as a place to meet, play and walk, and the school is making plans to make this an even better destination by replacing the playground and beautifying the grounds. They are also fundraising to meet the challenges all schools face of the high cost of an excellent education for our kids in a climate of budget cuts.
Did we mention that kids love Machado, especially when he uses his fingers and feet and his audience to create the sounds of the rain forest or uses his face and body for some truly amazing percussion. The evening concert is family oriented, and the Cedar Grove school children will also get a private concert in the afternoon.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and can be purchased through Cedar Grove, Coast Books and Jack and Jill Preschool. Advance tickets are recommended.