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Critic's picks: Eric Harper, Music by the Sea, and comedy

MUSIC What: Eric Harper Where: porttheatre.com When: Friday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 from tickets.porttheatre.com or 250-754-8550 Why: Like other musicians, Victoria’s Eric Harper has been forced to pivot during the pandemic.
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Classically trained Victoria guitarist - and recent Emmy Award winner - Eric Harper is performing a livestreamed concert from the stage of Nanaimo's Port Theatre on Friday.

MUSIC

What: Eric Harper
Where: porttheatre.com
When: Friday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12 from tickets.porttheatre.com or 250-754-8550

Why: Like other musicians, Victoria’s Eric Harper has been forced to pivot during the pandemic. His sold-out concert scheduled for Nov. 27 at the Port Theatre was cancelled due to COVID-19, and has been replaced by a livestreaming one set for the same venue on Friday night. The re-shuffling apparently hasn’t affected the momentum of the Arkansas-born singer, a classically trained flamenco guitarist who won a Primetime Emmy Award three weeks ago for his musical contributions to Create Together, a YouTube series produced by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He also recently contributed to the soundtrack for the blockbuster Detective Chinatown 3, which set a world record with the largest opening weekend ($397 million US) ever in a single market (China). Harper will certainly bring energy to his show on Friday, which features a surprise special guest.

MUSIC/COMEDY

What: Saturday Night Sessions
Where: facebook.com/groups/thequeensnanaimo
When: Saturday Feb. 20, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $15

Why: Comedian Peter Hudson is a proud Nanaimo native, and always does right by his hometown with fundraising and flag-waving. His freshly curated showcase of homegrown talent from the Hub City, Saturday Night Sessions, gets underway this weekend with the first in a series of multi-format events broadcast live via Zoom from the stage at The Queens in Nanaimo. Hudson, who will emcee and perform, will be joined on the bill by a roster of Nanaimo products, including comedian Matt Billon and pop-rock duo the Paper Dolls, among others. All proceeds go to the artists — a show of solidarity at a time when the Island could desperately use some.

MUSIC

What: Music By the Sea
Where: musicbythesea.ca
When: Sunday Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free (donations accepted)

Why: Music by the Sea — the Bamfield-based jazz and classical music festival turned popular Victoria International Marina showcase — will continue its series of telethon-style concerts on Sunday. Livestreamed from the marina near the Songhees Walkway, the fundraiser for the local arts community and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation will see Music by the Sea artistic director Christopher Donison welcome the Louise Rose Trio and cellist Hannah Craig for free sets throughout the evening. Donison has been one of the more active performers during the past year, so expect high-quality performances and top-tier production values. The series continues until March 28, the final fundraising installment, featuring Craig and the Ryan Oliver Trio. Later this month, episodes of Music By the Sea will be re-broadcast on CHEK TV.