Comox Valley Echo

Praised by the Vancouver Sun for “his luscious tone and technical prowess,” acclaimed Canadian cellist Ariel Barnes returns to the Sid Williams Theatre on Monday morning, April 2nd. Joining him on the stage for this fourth and final concert in this season’s Mattina Musica series will be pianist Sarah Hagen.

Selected as one of six cellists across the nation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Barnes recently recorded J.S. Bach’s D minor suite for CBC’s new online streaming project, The Portal.   Actively involved in the creation of 21st century art music, his new project Couloir, with harpist Heidi Krutzen, focuses on the development of new works and interdisdiplinary collaboration.  An ardent chamber musician, Barnes is a former member of the Borealis String Quartet, Trio Accord and has collaborated with many fine artists such as the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Musica Intima, Jonathan Crow, Martin Chalifour, Ian Parker and Daniel Bolshoy, among many others.  

In addition to his solo and chamber music performances, Barnes is principal cellist of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and a member of the Turning Point Ensemble. He is also an active teacher on faculty at the Vancouver Academy of Music, the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific and the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre. His recordings can be heard on Atma Classiques, Skylark Records, Universal Music and

Centrediscs, as well as many live concerts recorded and broadcast on CBC Radio.

From the Comox Valley, pianist Hagen has been heard in concert halls and on the airwaves to critical acclaim throughout North America and Europe. Since her recent move last summer to an artist loft in one of Vancouver’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Hagen has become deeply involved with intricate projects inspired by urban vitality. Highlights of her 2012 season include an evocative production onstage with Ballet Victoria which opened to rave reviews in March, a new Pro’ject Sound exposition with photographers from Howe Sound, and stimulating collaborations with artists and musicians from around the globe.

Comrades on and off the stage, Barnes and Hagen are thrilled to play together again, sharing a passion for seeking out the heartfelt meaning of each note and fusing the cello and piano into one musical entity. Their programme includes Beethoven’s fifth Sonata for piano and cello as well as Debussy’s Cello Sonata.

Individual tickets are $20. Coffee and tea is served at 10 am and music begins at 10:30. For more information on the Mattina Musica series and other upcoming performances, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com or call 250 338 2430.

Luke Blu Guthrie Release Party at The Flying Canoe

Throw on your coonskin cap, gumboots and plaid on Saturday March 31st and head down to The Flying Canoe to celebrate the release of Luke Blu Guthrie’s newest record “Routes & Blu”.

A locally grown and harvested effort (and recorded mostly live) this album features some exceptional local talent. Several tracks from the record have already seen radio play and the fan response to the album has been fantastic, says LBG.

2012 is looking like a busy year for Luke. He has been nominated for ‘Male Songwriter of the Year’ at the Vancouver Island Music Awards which take place on April 21st. Late May will find Luke visiting St.John’s for s string of shows where his music has been attracting some enthusiastic fans.

Several friends/musicians will be jamming with Luke on the 31st including Corwin Fox on banjo, Anela Kahiamoe on guitar, Blaine Dunaway on violin, Jim Guthrie on bass and Jenn Forsland on vocals.

Prizes will be given away for best “Canadian Roots” costumes- need ideas? check out the window display at Too Good To Be Threw in Courtenay for inspiration.

Luke’s last two records are also available on Itunes. Check out lukebluguthrie.com for news and dates.

Kytami Album Release with Georgia Murray and Ashleigh Eymann and DJ DWhizz

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Waverley Hotel, Cumberland

Join us in celebrating Kytami’s solo album release. Past member of Delhi 2 Dublin.

$12 Advance $15 Door

Tickets available at Bop City, the Waverley Hotel or by phone (250) 336-8322.

Doors at 9:30pm

KYTAMI: 

Kytami is a violinistextremist. Perhaps Canada’s most diverse and engaging fiddle player. Kytami bounds between classical and fiddle styles and matches them to heavy bass and electronic dance beats creating an incredibly high energy show that packs dance floors and melts minds. With her abilities, style and devilish smile, she has won over audience after audience, appearing at most major festivals across Canada and in the Western U.S. as well as performing overseas in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany and Dubai. Kytami has appeared on albums by The Swollen Members, Sweatshop Union and The Rebel Spell and has also co-written two albums and toured extensively with the multi-cultural, award-winning band Delhi 2 Dublin. This year Kytami dropped her own self-titled album, which she co-wrote and co-produced with Steven Mek and was recorded in Toronto over the spring and summer of 2011.  The album also features guest appearances by vocalists geneva.b, Mista Chatman, Ndidi Cascade and OSC.

GEOGIA MURRAY:

Georgia was recently chosen as one of Canada’s top 8 bands competing for a recording contract and $100,000 on CBC’s, Cover Me Canada and just won the 2011 Times Colonist’s “Fan Favourite” music award. Georgia is an incredibly engaging and emotional performer and has opened for great acts such as KRS One, Talib Kweli, Jurassic 5, K-OS, Shad and The Canadian Tenors amongst others. She has performed privately for Warren Buffet, Michelle Pfeiffer and William Shatner, sang anthems for numerous NHL and NBA teams and has played many of Victoria and Vancouver’s best live venues with a sound labelled Alternative/Soul. ET Canada has called her “Canada’s own sweet singing sensation” and she was chosen as The Province’s “Monthly Musical Pick” twice in the last year. 

ASHLEIGH EYMANN:

Ashleigh Eymann is a soul singin, rap slingin, multi-instrumentalist and collaborative artist and one of the fortunate PEAK Performance Project’s Top 20 for 2011. Ashleigh’s style and expertise has garnered her attention from the who’s who of the BC Hip Hop scene. She has worked with Jeff Spec, Just B, Ishkan, Moka Only & Fatty Down to name a few. As a member of the hip-hop collective group, The Current (DJ Murge, Ishkan, JustB), Ashleigh has performed in Vancouver and across Vancouver Island and has opened for many artists including Jurassic 5, Brother Ali, One Self (DJ Vadim, Yarah Bravo, Blu Rum), and The Beatnuts. Ashleigh has added to her impressive resume and delved into the role of emcee with the Vancouver based hip hop collective INDIGO KIDS while continuing to write her soulful ballads.

**These incredible female performers will be joined by Victoria’s own, legendary Hip Hop DJ, D Whiz. D Whiz has rocked shows alongside the biggest names in the DJ world including Mixmaster Mike, A-Trak (Kanye West), Lil’Jaz (Nelly Furtado), DJ Wax, DJ Cash Money, DJ Jam (Snoop Dogg), Roc Raida and more. He has opened for the Beatnuts, Ice T, Blackalicious, Pharcyde, KRS One, Jully Black, Maestro Fresh Wes and Kardinal Offishall to name a few. D Whiz produced and DJ’d many of Victoria’s most popular college and commercial hip hop radio shows alongside his partner Degree One and won numerous remix contests as well as placing 2nd in the Vancouver Island DMC’s. D Whiz also appeared on CBC’s, Cover Me Canada as apart of Georgia Murray’s band and is currently Georgia’s producer and co writer. 

For more information on each artist please visit 

http://www.georgiamurray.net 

http://www.kytami.ca

http://www.ashleigheymann.com 

Jason Buie In The Garage March 31st

Vancouver based guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Buie wlll be performing live at Joe’s Garage on Saturday March 30th. Since the age of sixteen he has honed his skill as a premium blues performer. Over the last fourteen years he has been playing throughout Canada, the U.S.A. and Japan. Along the way he has shared the stage with such artists as blues legend Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, The Jeff Healey Band, John Mayall, The Powder Blues Band, Big Dave Mclean, Jimmy D. Lane, Wild T, Johnny Ferriera and Jerry Doucette. With the Release of his critically acclaimed CD “Urban Blues” his profile continues to grow. Jason’s second C.D” “Live at The Blue Gator” was released in 2009. Jason did Spring and Fall European tour’s in 2009 with great success.

 Jason was born and raised in Victoria, BC. As an adolescent he explored the roots of American Blues along with other forms of music that spawned from it. Growing up in an artistic home, Jason had the freedom to explore his passion and talent. His love for the blues really blossomed when he witnessed Albert Collins in concert at fifteen years old. “I worked at the local grocery store and I borrowed one the older guy’s id. to get into the show. Albert was amazing; there will never be anyone like him.” From that point on Buie was hooked. Jason has taken his influences and sculpted them into a style of his own. His music remains a well-seasoned gumbo of blues, funk, rock and soul with influences that originate in the Southern States and inner cities of America. Jason’s from the heart vocals and fiery guitar work combined with a charismatic stage presence have caused listeners and critics to take notice. His passion and honesty always comes through in his live shows. 

 Jason’s debut CD is “Urban Blues”. The recording reflects Jason’s love of various blues styles from uptown horn arrangements, funk, Texas shuffles. And traditional blues. Two of Jason’s songs have also been featured on Vancouver’s crime drama TV show “Cold Squad”.  Jason’s show offers a diverse blend guaranteed to satisfy!!

Tickets are limited so be sure to get yours early. They are available at Bop City Records in Courtenay for an advanced price of $15 or on a first come basis for $20 at the door. 

Joe’s Garage is a restaurant venue with limited seating. The kitchen opens at 6:30pm with the show starting at 8:30 pm. Reserved seating is for dinner patron only. 

View our menu on line at www.joeson5th.ca Book your dinner reservations at milo@joeson5th.ca or call (250)-702- 6456 for information.

Ballet Victoria returns to the Sid with Four Seasons

After their successful tour of Carmen last spring, Ballet Victoria returns to the Sid Williams Theatre on Friday March 30th with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Other Works, a uniquely west coast interpretation blending music, poetry, visual art, and dance.

Buoyed by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons score, new and exciting choreography from Ballet Victoria’s Artistic Director Paul Destrooper weaves classical music with First Nation legend as the audience follows two ravens through the seasons of a mystical relationship.

“It’s the spirituality and mythology of the West Coast,” Destrooper says, “It’s a story about relationships.”

“In autumn, there’s the harvest and feasts in the tradition of the potlatch. The chill of winter follows the honeymoon stage and there’s some fighting. Then spring brings nature and love back to life. In summer, all the women give birth and families build,” he explains.

Inspired by the work of four First Nations visual artists - LessLIE, Rande Cook, Tom Hunt, and Dylan Thomas - Destrooper’s choreography sees each season personified by a dozen costumed dancers and their seasonal colours contrast with the white and black ravens, depicted by Destrooper and Sandrine Cassini.

The paintings of the four First Nations artists, all from Vancouver Island, are projected in an introductory montage ahead of each season. The multi-layered performance is rounded out by Lieutenant Governor Steven L. Point’s narration of haikus by Victoria poet Linda Rogers.

Founded in 2002, Ballet Victoria has transformed over the last three years into a first-class professional arts organization. Under the artistic direction of Paul Destrooper, the company has become a cultural asset to Victoria and the province, receiving accolades in national and international media. Destrooper has created works, taught and coached for professional companies and schools including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Northwest Professional Dance Project, Ballet Kelowna, Ballet BC and the Okanagan Summer Dance Intensive. Destrooper’s choreography focuses on ballet as an “Art of Light” — shaping light with movement to reflect musicality and trigger emotion.

This is the only North Island stop on Ballet Victoria’s tour of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Other Works.

Ballet Victoria’s performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Other Works at the Sid Williams Theatre on Friday, March 30th at 7:30pm in Courtenay. Tickets are Regular $50.00, Members $45.00, Students $25.00 and can be purchased at the Sid ticket centre, by phone 250-338-2430 or online at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.

A TRUE CANADIAN PEARL!

54-40

Saturday, March 31 at the Sid Williams Theatre, 442 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay (250-338-2430)

Tickets are $42.50 (Plus Facility Fee & Service Charges) available at the Sid Williams Theatre Box Office. Charge by phone (250-338-2430), toll free (1-866-898-8499)

or online at  www.sidwilliamstheatre.com

One of the most important popular music groups to emerge from the Canadian cultural landscape, 54-40 is celebrating their thirty-year anniversary.  The band has an unbelievable catalogue of hit songs, including “Assoholic”, “She-La”, “Miss You”, “Baby Ran”, “I Go Blind” and “Ocean Pearl”. Led by Neil Osborne, 54-40 has carved out a legacy of gold and platinum albums and an outstanding reputation for their live performances.  The secret to their longevity is their ability to redefine and reinvent themselves, picking up new young fans on the way. To experience 54-40 in concert is to experience how songs have touched and continue to touch people’s lives.

From their first gig on New Year’s Eve 1981 at the Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret, 54-40 has its roots in Vancouver.  They were immersed in the MuchMusic video craze of the 1990s and the growing digital worlds of CDs, MP3s, and websites.  They have embraced it all, now releasing their very own mobile phone application.

54-40 is the winner of The Western Canadian Music Awards - Hall Of Fame Award (2011) along with numerous other awards and almost a dozen Top-10 hit singles.  You do not want to miss this show!

For more information on this evolutionary group, please visit www.5440.com

Art in the ear of the beholder

Music named Arts Council’s ‘Trash Art’ theme

When the Arts Council talks trash, they’re not thinking Jersey Shore.

They’re focusing on fine art, as in the group’s annual Trash Art Challenge.

Following years of amazingly diverse creations with themes such as function and masks, this year the subject is ‘musical’.

“This area is full of musicians and we wanted to engage their participation,” says Lori Kenney, an Arts Council member who founded the TAC and has participated every year. “The Arts Council is about all the arts, so opening up the challenge to include another art discipline should stimulate even more people to participate.”

The entry criteria are not exactly strict.

“We want to leave it as open to the imagination as possible, but entries to this main category should be able to create sounds that someone, somewhere might consider music,” said Dallas Stevenson, executive director at the Comox Valley Community Arts Council. “As visual art is in the eye of the beholder, music too is open to interpretation.”

A second category, with lesser prizes, allows for even more open expression – any sort of art from any sort of trash. And there are categories for youth (18 years and under).

Deadline for entries is April 3 and the show is to run April 5 – 28 in CVCAC’s Muir Gallery, on Anderton Avenue, next to the blue bridge in Courtenay. The show opening is set for Thursday, April 5, the day before the Easter long weekend.

“Creative-mind gears are already whirring,” said CVCAC president Jamie Bowman. “I expect this will top even other years, when I have been amazed by the absolute genius of submissions.

“This is a chance to make a statement, through art, about the masses of trash our society creates and to be inspiring in dealing with it creatively.”

In Trash Art, artists “innovate, embellish, assemble, reuse, re-invent, salvage and or construct objects for the home environment with recycled materials,” said Kenney.

The idea is to repurpose discarded items and make them into something beautiful and meaningful, ranging from cute to strange to whimsical to unusual. All submissions must be constructed from materials recycled from a previous use.

Although a fundraiser for the Muir Gallery, There are a variety of prizes available to be won for categories, including

·     Best Use of Materials,

·     Best General Trash Art Entry

·     Musicality, Best Functioning Piece

Trash Art fits well with the Arts Council’s mandate to “facilitate and animate the arts in the Comox Valley … promoting the Comox Valley as a creative and dynamic arts-producing centre.”

Forms and more details are at www.comoxvalleyarts.org. To make alternate arrangements for drop off, contact CVCAC at 250-334 2983 or at info@comoxvalleyarts.org . Out-of-town submissions will be received anytime before the April 3 deadline by mail, courier etc.

The works will be for sale at the gallery.

Lensmen at Zocalos, Friday, March 23

The Lensmen collectively bring a lot of years of experience to recreate music that has been around a long time. The group’s repertoire reaches back to just about the turn of the century, 1900 that is, and through the 40’s. They have also been known to play a little jazz beyond the Big Band era with Len Wilkie crooning a la Frank Sinatra and are not ashamed to say even a little country. Some of the oldies but goodies that will be on the program are “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”, “Harlem Nocturne”, “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home” and “Satin Doll”. The Lensmen are Noel Thomas - cornet, Mike Eddy - piano, Len Wilkie – drums, and Greg Sumner – Bass. Greg is the founder of the Cure All Jazz Band and is an encyclopedia of performance knowledge about the traditional style of jazz starting from the 1920s.