Zachary Stevenson has become recognized around the country for his role in theatrical productions featuring ‘50s music stars, and now Qualicum Beach will get a turn to watch him perform.
A Buddy Holly ‘50s Rock n’ Roll Dance Party fundraiser will take place at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre Saturday, April 27 featuring Stevenson and his band The Smashed Hits.
“We’re going to put on a heck of a dance party in Qualicum,” said Stevenson, “with lots of Buddy Holly and other songs from the ‘50s as well.”
The fundraiser will benefit The Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association (QBDBA) and in Memory of Gary Hopkins of Gary’s Bistro, a portion of the funds will go towards a KSS scholarship fund on his behalf.
Stevenson graduated from Ballenas Secondary School in 1999 and made his acting debut at the school’s Whalebone Theatre. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre in Victoria, he made his way to Toronto where he landed his first role as Buddy Holly.
He performed that show in Ontario and Calgary before getting picked up by the Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver for another production of Buddy Holly. He has also played Hank Williams and Jerry Lee Lewis in his stage career.
After being asked repeatedly whether he had made a CD with his Buddy Holly songs, he decided it was time to record in 2011. The CD includes highlights from his stage career, including music by Buddy Holly, Hank Williams and Jerry Lee Lewis. The album was popular enough that he recorded a Volume 2 in 2012, at Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. Stevenson has raised over $10,000 for MSF (Doctors Without Borders) through CD sales.
The CDs will be available at the music show in Qualicum Beach and Stevenson is donating half of those proceeds back to the QBDBA. The QBDBA works to market and promote the viability of a healthy and vibrant business core of Qualicum Beach.
Stevenson and the Smashed Hits will play ‘50s and ‘60s music, and DJ Patrick Nicholson will also play some tunes.
There will be a jive contest, a ‘50s costume contest, a 50/50 draw, and prizes. Gary’s Bistro will be on-site, serving up hot dogs and burgers, and drinks will be available from a cash bar.
The event has been sold out.
Stevenson is also currently working on a one-man show called Never Shoot a Stampede Queen, which he will debut in Duncan at the Showroom Garage May 3-5, before taking it to the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver. The performance is based on the book of the same name by Mark Leiren-Young, which won the 2009 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Visit Stevenson’s website for more information: www.zacharystevenson.com.
