The Town of Gibsons is bringing back its summer-long Music in the Landing series, which launched on July 2 with performances by Michael Friedman and Monty Montegno and the Rocksteady Crew.
The public concerts will take place each week on Friday and Saturday at the Winegarden Park amphitheater in Lower Gibsons until Sept. 4. Musical buskers will perform on Sunday afternoons at the adjacent bus shelter above the park.
The program started in 2003 after an anonymous donation to compensate musicians for live community performances. The Town of Gibsons matched Chapman’s funds, dedicating a stipend for a program coordinator.
Kevin Crofton, the 2022 coordinator, has lined up a series of more than 30 unique soloists and ensembles with an emphasis on Sunshine Coast artists.
“It’s almost like an embarrassment of riches as far as the gifted musicians that are here,” Crofton said. “I think the other thing that’s just lovely is the setting. It’s just spectacular right on the water, which I think makes a big difference in attracting both community members and tourists.”
Some live music fans may still be skittish about gathering indoors due to COVID concerns, Crofton acknowledged. The open-air amphitheater in Winegarden Park allows for social distancing and all-natural ventilation.
Friday night performances will include the artists Wanda Nowicki and Her City Guys, Them Ordinary Things, Whiskey Business, the Grant Olsen Duo, Joe Stanton, Clay Hepburn, the Charlotte Wrinch Band, Corner Table, and Jim Foster.
“Whiskey Business is a young group that plays ukulele,” said Crofton. “They’re just so professional and upbeat—they play a lot of songs from the 1920s and 1930s, and they’re just phenomenal.”
During the Saturday afternoon slot on July 16, the Squamish Ocean Canoe Family will reprise last year’s presentation of traditional drumming and dances. “It’s a fundraiser for their canoe journey,” said Crofton. “Last year, I didn’t realize that they were actually going to teach all the audience members how to dance. But they did—they got people dancing to their instructions.”
Gibsons is situated on the traditional ancestral territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, or Squamish Nation.
Other Saturday afternoon performers include Michael Friedman, the Verna Chan Trio, Deb Holland, Celso Machado, Luci Herder (performing a Joni Mitchell tribute), Nice Verdes, the Deanna Knight Tree-O, the Lowry Olafson Band, and Brothers in Farms.
Kaishan, a 17-year-old singer-songwriter, will appear on August 13. “He’s a really charismatic guy,” said Crofton. “I’m going to try to get another youth band for that particular show.” A tribute to gospel singer Mavis Staples is scheduled for Sept. 4, with an ensemble performing under the banner Mavis Behavin’.
Venezuelan-born Wilson Creek resident Susana Williams (and her Latin Jazz Band) is among the acts that will appear on Saturday nights. Others include the reggae Monty Montego Band, the Captain Fantasy Band, Mimosa (featuring vocals by Rebecca Shoichet in French and Portuguese), Bigger Bits of String, Ya Ya Shine, Martini Madness, the Billy Hillpicker Band, the Steve Hinton Band, Empty Streets, and Open Sesame.
Full listings of the Music in the Landing concerts can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/Music.Landing. All concerts are free of charge; audience members are urged to bring their own seating.
