Hand Bell Group forming
Enjoy the sound of Hand Bells playing? A community hand bell group is forming starting Thursday evening, Sept. 28 through Decemeber. All supplies and music provided. No home practice required. Adult and Youth Choirs forming. Abilty to read basic music is recommended. Practices held at the Cache Creek Elementary School. For more information call 250-457-9119.
Dance Classes starts this week
DNA Academy is pleased to bring back Dance Classes for the 2011/12 season.
Classes will run in eight week sessions. The first sessions starts Tuesday, Sept. 13. Classes are as follows: 3:15-4 pm pre ballet/ jazz for ages 3-4; 4-5 pm ballet for ages 5-7; 5-6 pm jazz for ages 6-9; 6-7 pm teen dance for ages 12-17.
For more info contact DNA Academy at (250) 374 – 4204 or (cel) (250) 318-1563.
WRAP’s Concert Series line up
Building on the success of the 2010 dinner/concert series, Winding Rivers Arts & Performance Society has announced the details for the 2011/12 Dessert Concert Series to be held in downtown Ashcroft at St Albans Hall.
This year’s Series boasts a variety of performers that organizers feel will attract a broad range of fans. WRAP Organizers have been hard at work creating a line-up that will attract fans of Classical Violin and Cello with a popular twist, Traditional Fiddle & Step Dancing, Minstrel Musical Cabaret Theatre, Rhumba Flamenco Guitar and ‘Ol Time Country Singing and Banjo Picking.
The group INFINITUS will open the Season on Sunday, Oct 2 for 2 pm matinee. INFINITUS is a string trio known for their unique sound and upbeat performance style. With programs that feature polished Classical works and original Jazz, Latin and Hip-Hop arrangements/compositions, audiences can expect a fun and interactive concert experience.
On Saturday, Oct. 15 be prepared for music to make you smile and maybe dance, to touch your soul and feel your heart beat. Maria In The Shower brings together music and theatre in an inspiring romp through North American musical history and its roots in ancient ritual. With innovative arrangements that honor tradition yet look boldly forward, the quartet deliver a show that is both raw with intensity yet polished with a strong sense of craft and purpose.
Shifting with ease from up-tempo swing to sensitive folk ballad, or energetic samba to subtle waltz, Maria in the Shower stirs up infectious grooves like a well-oiled machine. Always fun and with energy to spare, this young band of creative minstrels are quickly leaving in their wake a trail of devoted fans eager to hop into the shower with Maria again and again.
When you see Ottawa Valley native April Verch perform on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the first thing that will strike you is the pure energy that infuses her fiddle playing and stepdancing. When you listen to her though, what draws you in are more subtle things – her soulful voice, the finely detailed elegance of her fiddle phrasing and the depth of a repertoire that ranges from traditional roots tunes, bluegrass melodies, jazz-influenced compositions and country-tinged vocals. Add to that her Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship, and Verch’s image smacks of eclecticism.
Saturday, March 10 marks the return of John Gilliat, widely recognized as one of Western Canada’s premier Flamenco guitarists. Through the strings of his guitar, John brings to life a fresh direction and contemporary expression to new Flamenco, Rumba and Jazz in a style known as Nouveau Flamenco. The corporate world has embraced John’s music, through recent performances for prestigious clients. He’s also had the distinction of playing for former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and opening for Cirque Du Soleil. Light a candle, pour some chamomile and don’t wonder how he moves his hands so fast or you’ll just stress.
To close out the Series on Saturday, April 14, is good ‘ol friend, Linda McRae. Linda is a Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, now living in Nashville, TN who earned her stripes during her tenure as bassist/accordionist with Canadian Celtic/Roots group Spirit of the West. Linda left the band to resume her solo career and has since released several critically acclaimed recordings. Linda’s study of traditional roots music, its history and traditions has led to her mastery of acoustic finger-style and flat-picked rhythm guitar, accordion, clawhammer banjo, dulcimer and Porchboard bass – all of which lend wonderful support to Linda’s evocative and powerful voice.
Linda is a compelling entertainer and her personality and storytelling add an intimacy to her shows regardless of the size of venue. Her busy tour schedule reflects her love for performing, which she now often does in conjunction with husband and poet James K. Whitmire. Combining old-time sounds & poetry with universal themes of heartbreak & redemption offering an intriguing sepia postcard from the past that is vibrant and alive in the present. A show not to missed!
All performances are at St Albans Hall at 501 Brink St. in Ashcroft. The first show is a Matinee starting at 2 pm with the remaining evening performances starting at 8pm. Advance tickets are now on sale at the Ashcroft Bakery and Natures Gifts in Ashcroft. Tickets at the door will be slightly more..so get your tickets early. For more information Visit the windingriversarts.ca web page or facebook at facebook.com/windingriversartsandperformancesociety
A special “like us” ticket giveaway contest is underway, so log onto the Facebook page for a chance to win free concert series tickets
