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Art Beat: Shadows in Morocco a zany tale of weird travel

Photographer, adventurer and part-time Irvines Landing resident William Jans is bringing his latest zany multimedia show documenting his weird travels, Shadows in Morocco, to the School of Music in Pender Harbour on Saturday Nov. 9.
morocco
This snake charmer is among the many characters featured in the multimedia travel show, Shadows in Morocco.

Photographer, adventurer and part-time Irvines Landing resident William Jans is bringing his latest zany multimedia show documenting his weird travels, Shadows in Morocco, to the School of Music in Pender Harbour on Saturday Nov. 9. This production, the ninth in a series, “features Spain and Morocco and includes desert chaos, getting lost in the hardest city to navigate in the world, and what it’s like to be spied on for a month,” Jans noted. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $22 online at williamjans.com or $24 cash at the door. 

They Shall Not Grow Old 

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has used innovative technology to bring First World War film footage to new life in the remarkable film, They Shall Not Grow Old. Jackson’s digital wizardry transforms the visually jerky, vintage filmstrips into a vividly coloured, natural motion, along with previously unheard soldier interviews.  The Sunshine Coast Film Society is screening the movie on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11 and Tuesday, Nov. 12,7:30 p.m., at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m., at Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt. 

Remembrance music 

Suncoast Phoenix Choir will perform Mozart’s Requiem at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt on Remembrance Day, Monday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. The soloists are Louis Dillon, bass; Shelley Dillon, alto; Nicholas Sommer, tenor; and Sara Douglas, soprano. The pianist will be Katherine Hume, and Tom Kellough will conduct. Admission is by donation. 

Last chance 

It’s the final weekend to catch the Driftwood Players production of the rousing Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. Friday. Nov. 8 and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday, Nov. 10 matinée at 2 p.m. 

Watercolour wonders 

The Coast has many excellent painters, and notable among them is Hiroshi Shimazaki of Halfmoon Bay, who is a master of watercolour landscape. The Gibsons Public Art Gallery has opened an exhibit of Shimazaki’s works entitled Pilgrimage Places in India. It’s a theme the artist knows well, having visited the subcontinent 16 times over the past half century. You can experience his beautifully evocative paintings at the gallery until Dec. 15. There’s an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. 

There Are No Fakes 

A painting bought by Barenaked Ladies’ musician Kevin Hearn was supposed to be the work of celebrated Indigenous artist Norval Morriseau, but Hearn soon began to suspect it wasn’t authentic. The film There Are No Fakes tells the story of Hearn’s lawsuit against the fraudsters and reveals the bizarre feud around Morrisseau’s multi-million-dollar art legacy. The Sunshine Coast Art Council’s Sunday Film Series is screening the 2019 documentary Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Arts Centre in Sechelt. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 at the door. 

Jazz milestone 

The Jazz group of Seven marks ten years of performing on the Coast with an anniversary concert at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church on Saturday, Nov. 9. See details in the feature story in this section. 

Nirvana and beyond 

Sing along to the hits of the ‘90s with Steve Weave, Jeff Doran and Jamie Swann at the 101 Brewhouse on Saturday, Nov. 9. “Think crowd karaoke and with a live band. Featuring grunge classics, pop hits and a few surprises.” Lyrics will be projected on a big screen. At 8 p.m. with a ‘90s-style cover charge of $5. 

Trippy 

Vancouver psychedelic musician and entertainer Stephen Hamm returns to Roberts Creek to play the Gumboot Café Saturday, Nov. 9. Celebrating his new tune, Space Sister, from the upcoming album Theremin Man, Hamm “takes you on a musical journey into new dimensions.” 7 p.m. 

Gospel Rock open mic 

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, “bring your songs, memories or wishes; dance or cry at an evening dedicated to Gospel Rock.” The open mic event, with contributions limited to five minutes, will be hosted by photographer Alan Sirulnikoff at Gibsons Public Art Gallery, from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Incredible journey 

Meet maritime historian and author John M. MacFarlane at an illustrated talk for the book he co-wrote with Lynn J. Salmon, Around the World in a Dugout Canoe: The Untold Story of Captain John Voss and the Tilikum, from Harbour Publishing. MacFarlane will recount the true tale of Captain Voss, who set out from Victoria in 1901 to claim the world record for the smallest vessel to circumnavigate the globe. “An enduring story of courage, adventure, tragedy, and at times, sheer luck.” At the Sechelt Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m. 

Young Artists Awards 

The deadline is approaching for submissions to the Sunshine Coast Arts Council’s annual Young Artists Awards. The program is open to all aged five to 18. The awards are judged by a panel of working artists passionate about encouraging creativity in young people. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. Details can be found on the council’s website (sunshinecoastartscouncil.com). 

Heads up 

The Lonesome Ace Stringband plays the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Friday, Nov. 15. “An old-time stringband with bluegrass chops that plays really good folk and country music.” Advance tickets are $20 from lonesomeace.com. 

Submissions 

If there’s an event you’d like considered for Art Beat, please let us know by 11 a.m. Tuesday at arts@coastreporter.net. Space is limited and, regrettably, we can’t list everything. Also check Coast Reporter’s Coast Community Calendar for more music and events.