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Scene and Heard: Folk singer Benjamin Francis Leftwich fights back after loss

The career of Benjamin Francis Leftwich was speeding along nicely, when tragedy struck.
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Benjamin Francis Leftwich deals with death and resurrection on his second album, After the Rain.

The career of Benjamin Francis Leftwich was speeding along nicely, when tragedy struck.

The death of his father in 2013 sent Leftwich — whose debut, 2011’s Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, cracked the Top 40 in his native England — into a pattern of depression and bad habits. The folk singer-songwriter stopped making music and let his career fall into disarray, leading some fans to believe he had quit music altogether.

Finally healed from the experience, 26-year-old Leftwich made his surprise return last year. His strong sophomore album, After the Rain, deals with death and resurrection in a way that brings to mind the pastoral, quietly haunting work of Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and James Mercer (The Shins). The album isn’t taking off like the one that preceded it, but Leftwich is in a better place.

He will make his debut in Victoria tonight at Sugar nightclub (858 Yates St.). Tickets are $20 at Lyle’s Place (770 Yates St.) or Ticketfly.com.

Opening the night is Brolly. Doors are at 8 p.m.

 

An event spun off from the Victoria Film Festival will turn the Copper Owl nightclub into a 1980s danceteria next week.

The documentary Strike A Pose, which screens at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Vic Theatre, chronicles seven backup dancers for Madonna who joined the pop icon in 1990 on her Blond Ambition tour.

Six of the dancers are still around, and their narratives are the foundation for the film. A Copper Owl dance party, featuring DJ Nova Jade, will be held following the screening.

The party gets underway at 9 p.m. Prizes for the most Madonna-friendly outfits will be awarded. Vogue-dancing lessons will start at 9:30.

Tickets are $10 through bit.ly/StrikeAPoseAfterParty

Proceeds will go to AIDS Vancouver Island programs. The Copper Owl is at 1900 Douglas St., next to Paul’s Motor Inn.

 

Tickets for Tanya Tagaq’s performance at Sugar nightclub on May 15 are now on sale. My advice is get them while you can, because they will be gone in a matter of weeks.

The celebrated Inuk throat singer (and her bandmate, avant-violinist Jesse Zubot) beats all comers in concert, as evidenced by Tagaq’s televised performance during the 2014 Polaris Music Prize gala.

Tickets are $28.50 at Ticketfly.com and Lyle’s Place. Opening act is Willie Thrasher.

 

Can-Rock hitmakers Chilliwack (of My Girl fame) will perform April 1 and 2 at the Charlie White Theatre in Sidney. Chilliwack sightings aren’t exactly rare around these parts, but the Vancouver band remains a strong draw. Tickets for the dates will likely be impossible to get soon, however, given the stature of the opening act.

Metchosin rocker Jesse Roper will perform solo at both shows, and is expected to be playing new music from his forthcoming album, Access to Infinity.

Tickets are $44.10 at the Charlie White Theatre box office (2243 Beacon Ave.), by phone at 250-656-0275 or online at tickets.marywinspear.ca.

 

Fans will have several opportunities to see Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield perform with the Victoria Symphony, as the social-media guru will appear three times during two days in March.

Hadfield, who has recorded with members of the Barenaked Ladies, among others, will appear during Royal Theatre performances with the symphony on March 24 (8 p.m.) and March 25 (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Tickets (starting at $32) are available in person at the Royal McPherson box office, by phone at 250-386-6121, or online at rmts.bc.ca.

 

Tickets went on sale Friday for the upcoming tour by City and Colour, the nom de plume of Alexisonfire singer-guitarist Dallas Green. While those were expected to sell out immediately, keep an eye out for spare seats at several locations on his itinerary, which starts on Vancouver Island.

City and Colour is scheduled to perform April 1 in Courtenay (Sid Williams Theatre), April 2 in Campbell River (Tidemark Theatre), April 3 in Victoria (Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.) and April 4 in Duncan (Cowichan Theatre).

For more information on ticket availability, visit livenation.com.

 

Local label Mighty Speck Records is showcasing eight of its artists on Alive, a new charity single contributing to the fight to end homelessness in Greater Victoria.

Sales of the single benefit the Victoria Cool Aid Society, which aids those struggling with problems such as homelessness and mental illness.

Artists on the recording include Taylor Caspersen, Kristine Lyall, Brahma Blue, Chasey Rae, Simon de Laat, Terry Boyle, Caitlyn Norman and James Kasper. The label hopes to raise $1,000 for Cool Aid by the end of February.

To download the song for $5, visit mightyspeckrecords.ca.

 

With news that the original Abba lineup is making plans to reform, the timing is right for Abbamania to return to the Port Theatre stage in Nanaimo.

What is being called the world’s top Abba tribute is booked for March 15. Tickets are $45 by phone at 250-754-8550, in person at the Port Theatre box office (125 Front St.), or online at porttheatre.com. The event includes a performance by Night Fever, a tribute to the Bee Gees.