The pace has slowed just a little on the arts scene following the August highs of the Festival of the Written Arts and Rogue Arts Festival. Still, as we look forward to a long weekend of soaking up the shorter days’ summer rays – get them while you can, as the forecast looks iffy – we can also enjoy a lot of music, much of it free.
Music in the Landing in Gibsons features Simon Paradis and Joe Stanton on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at the gazebo on the wharf. On Saturday, two other frequent collaborators, Karen Graves and Budge Schachte, play Pioneer Square (near the George Gibson statue) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday evening in Winegarden Park, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., it’s the Colorifics. And on Sunday, the Jazz Group of Seven livens up the Sundial Stage on Gower Point Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 31 at Gibsons Public Market, folkie Bonar Harris plays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
In Sechelt, on Friday, Aug. 30, Art and Music on Cowrie (near Trail Avenue) presents singer-songwriter Gord D. Birtch from noon to 2 p.m. On Saturday, the Sechelt Summer Music Series, on the stage by the library, has Four on the Floor at noon, then the Steve Hinton Band at 1 p.m.
On Sept. 1, take in some more freebie listening at Slow Sundays in the Creek, from noon to 4 p.m. at the gazebo behind the library. Hear Loose Endings Ukulele Trio start things off, with a string of feature musicians to follow.
Also on Sunday, Sept. 1, Gambier Island Community Hall is staging its family-friendly Salute to Summer Concert, noon to 4 p.m. You might as well add “and dance” to that title, because the band is Vinyl, who will get you on your feet.
The Labour Day Picnic on Monday, Sept. 2 features free entertainment from Matt Diamond, Jimmy Gregor, Grant Olsen, and The Sikat-Araw Kultura Filipiniana dancers, plus food, and kids’ fun and games, noon to 4 p.m. at Dougall Park in Gibsons
Rock for the Elephants
What’s billed as “The Dance Party of the Year” is also a fundraiser for Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Baan Tuek, Thailand. Rocking it out will be Vancouver’s Chase the Bear and Roberts Creek’s own Jess Hart. Saturday, Aug. 31 at Roberts Creek Hall from 7:30 ‘til late. Tickets are $20-$25 at Strait Music and MELOmania.
House concert
Lowry Olafson is staging a Front Lawn Concert on the Sea at his Gibsons home on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. To reserve and get directions, contact [email protected] or message him on Facebook. There’s a suggested donation of $20.
At the pubs
A Songwriters Circle gets together at Roberts Creek Legion on Friday Aug. 30, from 8 to 11:30 p.m., with Ken Dunn, Eddy Edryk, Bonar Harris, and Ashley Hautala. On Saturday at the Creek Legion, it’s the blues and world music of the Sister Speak Band, kicking it off at 9:30 p.m.
The Wicked Grin Trio is on Friday, Aug. 30 at 9 p.m. at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt. They play the Gibsons Legion on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Blue Line Duo are featured Saturday at the Old Boot Eatery in Sechelt.
Silas White is holding a record release party at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek on Saturday, Aug. 31, recorded by his early 2000s’ Toronto band Electric Fences, and played live by Silas and some fine local players.
On Sunday at 2 p.m. at the 101 Brewhouse in Gibsons, it’s Boognsh. Tricky to say, but not hard to hear, we’re told, because it’s “the greatest Ween tribute band ever.”
Australian-born and Nashville-based virtuoso guitarist Daniel Champagne plays Monday, Sept. 2 at the Gumboot Café. Reputed to be “the finest guitar player of this generation,” hearing him in the intimacy of the Gumboot could be something special. Admission is by a suggested $15 to $20 donation, 7 to 10 p.m.
Submissions
If you have an event you’d like considered for Art Beat, please let us know by 11 a.m. Tuesday at [email protected]. Space is limited and, regrettably, we can’t list everything. Also check Coast Reporter’s Coast Community Calendar for more music and events.
