Get ready for the 31st annual Hackett Park Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As in the past, it coincides with the Festival of the Written Arts and the Power of Paint, two events that give visitors to Sechelt a window into the artistic community on the Sunshine Coast. Each year the juried fair attracts around 6,000 visitors. Shoppers search out their favourites, such as Coast Raven Design Studio featuring the wood carvings of Artie George and the silver and gold jewelry created by Richard de la Mare; Creighton Valley Apiaries delicious honey; and the unique blown glassware of Molten Spirit Glass Studio. Participating vendors come from across B.C. as well as the Sunshine Coast. A few new vendors to watch for are: Kiln Art Glass Company featuring dichroic glass jewelry and bowls; Tracy Lewis’ whimsical clay creations; and the intricate bead work of Zaruba Beads.
Entertainers include Joe Stanton, Blue Grass duo Murfitt and Main and crowd favourite, The Knotty Dotters. There is also face painting for kids and entertainers Gerardo Avila and Graham Walker. Food vendors include Kitchen Rejuvenation vegan falafels; a good cup of joe from the Steamin’ Bean; or ice cream from e.b. ice cream. The fair is at Hackett Park in Sechelt). Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students, and children under 12 get in free if accompanied by an adult. For more information, see www.sunshinecoastartscouncil.com
This Weekend
• Creek Daze is on Saturday, Aug. 11. Take part in the Higgledy Piggledy parade (starts at 11 a.m. at the Hall), music, vendors, food, kids’ activities and good times by the mandala at Roberts Creek.
• The Show and Shine of vintage vehicles takes over Cowrie Street in Sechelt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11. The Sleepy Hollow Rod Run is on Friday evening from Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay. On Sunday, see a second Rod Run and Show ‘n’ Shine at Pender Harbour Legion. More info from coasterscarclub.com/sleepy-hollow.
Weaving Together
Weaving Reconciliation: the Fabric of our Lives holds an event on Aug. 11 and again on Aug. 18. Master weaver Shy Watters will begin her cedar and wool blanket design titled Paddling Together, an artistic collaboration for the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement. This one-year project is designed to raise awareness and cultivate dialogue about reconciliation in our community and provide an opportunity for the public to participate in the weaving of friendship blankets as they learn from shíshálh master weavers. These blankets will hang in prominent places in our community as a symbol of the journey we are weaving together towards reconciliation. The public is welcome to weave a part of the friendship blanket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sechelt Library, Community Room. For more, phone Sherryl Latimer 604-885-3260 or see the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement Facebook page.
FibreWorks Dyes
The current exhibition at FibreWorks Studio and Gallery is inspired by the exploration of wind through felt and is on until Aug. 12. See Four Winds by Alexis Bach, Ursula Bentz, Jill Denton, Sheleigh McCulloch and Kiki van der Heiden this weekend at the yurts in Madeira Park. Go to fibreworksgallery.com for more.
FibreWorks also announces another benefit to all fibre artists: a community indigo dying vat. Join Janna Maria Vallee for drop-in dyeing with membership for a fee. Bring your own pre-washed yarn (scoured), fabric and clothing to dip in the vat. Participants who don’t have experience with indigo dyeing must make a one-hour mentorship appointment to learn to use the indigo vat unattended. Email [email protected] to inquire about dates and membership.
Song Circle
All are welcome to join in song and community connection at a community song circle on Monday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. No previous singing experience is required. The circle will be co-facilitated by Jill Shatford with Karen, Corinne, Vicki and Janet. Meet in the grass at Mission Point Park where the group might move to the beach, depending on the tide. Parking is beside the washrooms on the highway or across at Brookman Park. Bring your open heart and your willingness to raise your voice in reverence and celebration. They will also take time to sing to the whales and be open to hearing their cries and their song. Denise Lagassé will lead in a process to deepen the connection with these wise elders of the ocean.
Slow Sundays
Slow Sundays in Roberts Creek begins at noon with the Loose Endings Ukulele Enthusiasts and friends; Jill Shatford and Cam Peters sing jazz tunes at 1 p.m. and versatile singer/songwriter G. Willy performs originals and pop standards at 2 p.m. Meet at the gazebo behind the Creek’s library and check out the vendors of a variety of useful things.
Creek Showtime
Creative in the Creek puts on a show on Thursday, Aug, 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek. It’s hosted by David Roche and Jess Stephens-Whale. Admission is by donation at the door. This will be a fond farewell for Stephens-Whale and Zach Johnson. There will be surprises, for sure.
Postcard Story Contest
The deadline for the Gibsons Public Library’s postcard-story contest (max. 500 words, fiction or non-fiction) is Aug. 15. The entries will be on display in the library from Aug. 22 to 29, and the winners – the jury’s choice and people’s choice – will be announced at the open mic on Wednesday, Aug. 29. There are three age categories: 19 plus, 13 to 18 and eight to 12. There will be a juried winner in each category, and one people’s choice. The winning adult entry and people’s choice will be published in Coast Reporter. See gibsons.bc.libraries.coop
Cuban Dance Fest
High Beams Dreams presents a dance evening with live band from Santiago De Cuba on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 350 Glassford Rd., Gibsons (former church). They proudly present a varied repertoire of traditional Cuban music, a cappella, romantic ballads, salsa, son, guaracha, merengue, cumbia, bachata. Canadian audiences may find their traditional style reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. Fest includes a Cuban dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with doors open for the dance at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Share-There.com, Olga’s Hair Stories, Laedeli, MELOmania and Strait Music. For more information, email [email protected].
Flamenco
Direct from Spain, Fin de Fiesta Flamenco dance and music ensemble will travel to the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. to present Salvaje, an untamed new production that explores the wild, unrestrained side of one of the world’s most passionate and intense art forms: flamenco. The searing vocals of Alejandro Mendia are accompanied by the intricate guitar arpeggios of Dennis Duffin and the haunting flute melodies of Lara Wong. Dancer Lia Grainger (2017 Certamen New York International Flamenco Competition finalist) brings the stage to life with fierce and sensual choreographies and improvisations and Hanser Santos Gomez holds down the rhythm on cajon. Stunning guest dancer Deborah ‘La Caramelita’ will also join the ensemble for this tour only.
Dancer and artistic director Grainger was once a collegiate level basketball player, and then an award-winning journalist, but she left her life in Toronto to pursue flamenco full time in Madrid. Flamenco in Spain draws from many cultural and historical influences, but the members of Fin de Fiesta are drawn to the raw and improvisational gitano style that emerged 200 years ago from the gypsy culture of southern Spain. The show’s name, Salvaje, means wild. “Flamenco wasn’t born in a theatre, it was born in the streets,” Grainger said. “It was the music and dance of the people.” Tickets are at www.findefiestaflamenco.com or Laedeli in Gibsons.
Message Me
Please send notice of your arts and entertainment events to my email: [email protected] or phone 604-741-9360. Items go into the Art Beat column one day to one week ahead only, depending on space. Deadline is Tuesday noon for Friday’s paper.
