The Sunshine Coast Arts Council presents Imprints of Nature, featuring works by Megan Mansbridge and Mieke Bray, and Flow, featuring the work of Mary Dolman. The exhibition runs from Feb. 1 to 26 at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, 5714 Medusa St. (at Trail) in Sechelt. The opening reception is on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m., the three artists will be present at the gallery to discuss their art.
The forest as cathedral is a core theme of painter Megan Mansbridge’s current exhibit which strives to express the peaceful, grounding presence of the Pacific West Coast Rainforest. Nature preservation and awareness is an important part of Bray’s life and art, as a mixed media artist and performance artist. Included in Imprints of Nature is a video installation piece designed to encourage the audience to interact with the video projection. The theme of water is at the core of Mary Dolman’s exhibit titled Flow. Her paintings are inspired by her belief that water is “both a physical entity that unites, sustains and flows through all life, and a metaphor for the transmutation of the spirit.” See www.sunshinecoastartscouncil.com for more.
This weekend
Bluegrass and old-time folk music is at its best this weekend. Lonesome Ace plays the Roberts Creek Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. These are all great musicians, playing banjo and fiddle. Tickets are online at www.lonesomeace.com
Heritage Playhouse Produc-tions welcomes John Reischman and The Jaybirds on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse. Tickets are $25 at the door or at www.share-there.com
Music Arising
A piano recital is offered in the St. Hilda’s Music Arising series. Pianist Markus Masaites, winner of the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA) piano competition, will perform at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. Admission is by donation.
Chinese tour
Enjoy a Chinese New Year buffet dinner and then stay for a virtual tour of China with a travelogue presented by Jack and Sheila Carlson, sharing their experiences travelling in that country. The event is on Saturday, Jan. 28 at St. Bart’s Anglican Church in Gibsons. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Contact Sheila after Sunday services at St. Bart’s, or phone her at 604-886-8124 to reserve.
Rose benefit
Benefit for Rose, a burger and beer fundraiser, is planned for Sunday, Jan. 29 with a silent auction, raffle and live music starting at 1 p.m. with Blue Line Trio, Luci Herder and the Luv, Peter Van Deursen B3 Trio, and the Alex Rolland Band. The event runs from noon to 8 p.m. for $25 at the Lighthouse Pub. Tickets are at the pub and Lighthouse liquor store. All proceeds go to the family of the late Rose Schwarz.
A.D.D.
A.D.D. jams every Tuesday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Roberts Creek Legion. Join them for some good music. It’s a warm, fun, welcoming atmosphere with a great mixture of musical abilities from professional to novice, says organizer Michelle Morand.
Kube show
February finds Donna Stewart and Charly Mithrush as the featured artists at The Kube Studio (689A Gibsons Way). Stewart is a concrete and mixed media artist, who creates pieces for both inside and outside the home. Mithrush works in all kinds of mediums – encaustic, acrylic, and mixed media. The two will be showing together for the month of February in the front viewing gallery at The Kube. Official opening will be the First Friday event on Friday, Feb. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. with live music, nibbles and a wine bar. All are invited.
Valentine’s dance
Playback, those rocking guys, have been invited to play the first dance at the new Gibsons Public Market on Saturday, Feb. 11 – a Valentine’s event. The Market is at 473 Gower Point Rd. Tickets are $25 and they include appetizers and finger food from Emelle’s Catering. Advance tickets only – none will be sold at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with music starting at 8 p.m. For tickets, contact Mary Lou at [email protected] or call 604-313-2853.
Family Valentine’s
The Christian Life Assembly is pleased to present their 2017 Family Valentine’s Dance to support local Syrian refugee families. It’s on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the church, 730 School Road, Gibsons. Music is provided by the Creek Big Band playing your favourite dance tunes, old and new. Tickets are available at the CLA office, or phone 604-886-7107. It’s an alcohol free event. See www.clagibsons.com for more.
Gilbert and Sullivan
In February the Sunshine Coast Film Society will be showing Topsy-Turvy, the film based on the turbulent relationship between operetta composers William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Driftwood Players is considering offering a pop-up theatre event to accompany the showing and they want your feedback in advance. Their preliminary plan is to arrange a buffet dinner on the evening of the Gibsons showing, Monday, Feb. 20, with Gilbert and Sullivan vignettes and a trivia contest at a proposed venue in Gibsons and at an approximate cost of $30 or $35 per person (separate from film admission). Driftwood is soliciting feedback – would you likely attend? They also would love to have any Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados join them in preparing trivia, or even doing a song or skit. Call Bill Forst, Driftwood Players treasurer and producer, at 604-840-0304 or email [email protected]
Young artists
This is a call out to young artists to create on paper, recycled paper or cardboard a piece of art work that represents you, the youth of today, and your cherished moments at your ocean, the Salish Sea. Draw, paint, print, glue, write or add a photo. The mission is to sensitize people from around the country to the importance of protecting the Salish Sea.
All the artwork received will be part of a dance project, The Majestic, with DSdanse Youth Dance Company, that will be presented at the Heritage Playhouse in April. It will also be presented as a collection at Gibsons Public Art Gallery’s Shout Out, the work of young artists, from March 9 to April 2. The hope is to create awareness of the value of our ocean and all of the majestic creatures that inhabit it. The theme is Intimate Water Connection, approximate size: 8.5” x 14” to a maximum of 14” x 17”. Deadline is Feb. 24. Drop off your work at Dominique’s School of Dance, 1051 Gibsons Way (next to Kenmac), or mail to 1121 Marine Dr., Gibsons, B.C. V0N 1V1. Call 604-886-0020 for more.
Noon deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692.