What do you get when you combine two percussion-loving musicians, the grit and bliss of life-based songwriting, and creative guitar accompaniment?
You get to sit back and enjoy the journey on a musical tour of insight and story with Bee Wolf Ray and Peter Cloud Panjoyah.
Bee and Peter will perform a benefit concert for the Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society on May 7 at the Mex Pub.
As featured musical guests of this month’s 1st Tuesday Fundraiser, these Hornby Islanders will share some of their favourite songs to provide a fine evening of entertainment that will have you tapping your toes, swaying along, and savouring lyrics.
Bee and Peter’s songwriting is fuelled by an inquisitive need to explore themes of faith from a pagan perspective, themes of love and war, the various fringes of the human condition, with time out for rollicking fun and innuendo. Their delightful musical recipe is infused with humour, irony and gentle sarcasm.
Peter’s vocals and stage personality are familiar to many as co-lead singer in the former Jilli Martini Band and he has paid musical tribute to musical luminaries such as Freddy Mercury, David Bowie, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, and Joe Cocker in Island variety shows.
Coming from the Boston area, Peter also has strong musical roots in the East Coast folk tradition, and his songwriting influences include Roger Waters, Pete Townshend, Tim Buckley and Ani diFranco.
In contrast, Bee is originally from Fraser Lake in northern B.C., and was raised in rugged rural communities. In the absence of electricity and mainstream pop culture she was influenced primarily by live musicians in the area.
As a child, she was a natural performer, the star of house parties by singing songs by family favourites Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
Bee spent several years working with women’s groups as a percussion facilitator and she has skillfully transferred her rhythmic abilities to her guitar playing. Her musical influences range from Horton to Eliza Gilkyson, Ani diFranco and Steve Earle.
The 1st Tuesday Fundraisers at the Mex Pub in Courtenay are a monthly concert series that pairs local music acts with local charities. Admission for the events is always by donation, and the guest performers choose a local charity to receive the proceeds.
Bee and Peter have chosen Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness to be this month’s recipient.
Dawn to Dawn is a local organization that provides transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, as well as those who are at risk of being so.
By assuming the responsibility of the tenancy with landlords, they are able to find housing for homeless individuals, and provide the relationship of a support worker who helps residents make the transition to more stable life situations and a more secure future.
The organization has also developed programs that help to create a sense of community among those they work with and engage them in meaningful activities. Current projects include a community garden and soccer games.
Admission for the musical evening begins at 7:30 with an opening set by event organizers Judy and Bruce Wing with musical guests to follow. Another regular addition to the musical flavours of the evening are the talents of violinist Blaine Dunaway.
For more information about Dawn to Dawn, visit http://dawntodawn.org.
— 1st Tuesday Fundraisers
