Alanna and Brianne
It looks like a breakthrough summer for White Rock teen musicians Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris.
The 15 year-old identical twins, recently chosen winners of the second annual Diamond in the Rock Youth Talent Search, have a new accolade – they are among some 132 acts who made it to the semifinals of the Nashville-based Unsigned Music Competition, out of 9,000 entries from more than 100 countries.
The contest is a showcase for talent as yet unsigned to any recording label.
The country duo, who are also prolific composers of their own material, won their spot with a cover version of Philip Phillips Home in which both sung accompanied by Brianne on guitar.
Frequently seen busking on White Rock beach and at Granville Island during the summer months, they can also be seen locally at the upcoming Ocean Park Day Aug. 17. (It was previously announced that they would entertain at this month’s three-day Village Summer Festival in Ocean Park, but instead Ministry of Misfits Band will perform before the July 19 outdoor movie screening at the Safeway parking lot, 16 Avenue and 128 St.).
The twins will be heading back to Nashville this August for a third visit, during which they have several performances booked, as well as the opportunity to work with a songwriting mentor through the Nashville Songwriters Association.
Youth film school
Are you a local teen interested in the current “democratization” of filmmaking, enabled by digital technology?
Would-be auteurs and technicians will have a chance to work with current independent digital standard equipment and professional film techniques to make a short film at a five-day Peninsula-based Youth Film School for ages 14 to 18, running Aug. 19-23.
For information on registering, call 604-356-0981, or email info@YouthFilmSchool.com
The Game’s Afoot
Mystery fans who enjoyed last year’s Peninsula Productions summer presentation, The Mousetrap, will be happy to hear ‘The Game’s Afoot’ at last.
The show, by popular American playwright Ken Ludwig, will have its Canadian premiere Wednesday (July 10) at the Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.
There’s a high fun quotient to the murder mystery/comedy, helmed by Peninsula Productions’ artistic director Wendy Bollard.
Set in 1936, The Game’s Afoot revolves around the stabbing death of a guest staying at the Connecticut castle of Broadway actor William Gillette, original star of the 1899 production of Sherlock Holmes.
The show, which runs until July 28, stars Ben Odberg as Gillette, with Lori Tych, David Quast, Val Dearden, Michelle Collier, Mahara Sinclaire, Rebekah McEwen and Everett Shea.
Tickets ($18-23) are available at 604-536-7536; at the Playhouse box office, Tuesdays to Saturdays, 1-5 p.m.; and online at www.whiterockplayers.ca
Art Festival
The Arnold Mikelson Festival of Arts – now celebrating its 40th anniversary – returns to the Mind and Matter Gallery for two weekends this month (July 13, 14, 20 and 21).
Three acres of gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, featuring more than 100 artists’ painting, jewelry, pottery, stone carvings and other work.
Opening ceremony will be July 13 at 1:30 p.m. with Rick Forchuk as master of ceremonies.
The gallery grounds can be accessed from either 13743 16 Ave. or 13743 17 Ave., and there is free parking at Ray Shepherd Elementary, just to the west of the gallery on 136 Street. For more information, visit www.mindandmatterart.com or call 604-536-6460.
Vocal summer camp
Noted Vancouver vocal coach Jan Cooper of Cooper Studios and local vocal teacher Karen McKenzie are joining forces to present a Music of the 1990s Summer Day Camp for all ages, Sunday July 28, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Centennial Arena Lounge, 14600 North Bluff Rd.
Students are asked to bring their favourite 1990s tracks on CD or USB and encouraged to bring a bag lunch and dress in their most fun/outrageous 1990s wear for the camp, which is designed to give adults, teens and children experience in healthy voice technique, performance technique, talent development and promotional resources.
Registration is $100 per student; for more information, call Cooper Studios at 604-261-5026, Karen McKenzie Vocals at 778-991-8904, or email contact@karenmckenzievocals.com
Village Summer Fest
An aforementioned three-day festival of events planned for Ocean Park this month will offer something for just about every age group and taste.
The Village Summer Festival will start Friday, July 19 with an outdoor movie night presenting the animated Stone Age comedy The Croods in the Safeway parking lot at 16 Avenue and 128 Street, with pre-movie music by Ministry of Misfits Band, plus food, ice cream and popcorn vendors.
Saturday and Sunday (July 20-21, 10 a.m., to 4 p.m. both days) there will be a vendor market with food and entertainment, and live music by the Ministry of Misfits.
Saturday night will feature a dance at Ocean Park Community Hall with The Sutton Brothers (tickets $25), while Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon there will be a pancake breakfast, classic vintage car show and shine and a golf-putting contest.
Red Beans & Rice
The sounds of Dixieland and retro jazz continue each Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).
While the White Rock Traditional Jazz Society program is on summer hiatus, house band Red Beans and Rice, featuring leader Rice Honeywell Sr. on cornet and vocals, has started its ninth-annual summer season.
Regular band members Gerry Green (reeds), Ray Batten (trombone, vocals), Don Ogilvie (guitar) and Casey Tolhurst (bass) are joined by the leader’s 15-year-old grandson, Ethan Honeywell, on drums. General admission is $10. Red Beans & Rice also continues to play Friday nights from 6:30 p.m. at Porter’s Bistro in Langley Township’s historic Murrayville district.
The all-ages evenings draw teens and 20-somethings as well as more senior jazz fans (reservations recommended, 604-530-5297).
Volunteers sought
Organizers of White Rock’s International Artist Day (IAD) Festival – planned for Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 – are issuing an immediate call for volunteers.
IAD founder Chris MacClure, and hostess Jane Baldwin, wife of White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, say it’s an ideal opportunity to “make new friends and experience the art world firsthand.”
The festival is still calling for artists for the visual arts exhibit component which will run Oct. 25-27 at White Rock Community Centre.
That section of the festival will be a partial juried show for which artists are invited to submit up to three 12×12-inch gallery wrapped, ready-to-hang canvas pieces. Submissions will be accepted up to Aug. 15, with a delivery deadline of Sept. 15 for pieces that are chosen.
Works can be anything from paintings to mixed media, provided they meet the size constraints, and organizers are prepared to entertain sculpture and photography as well, provided the work can be kept to the same scale and price point (submitting artists in these media should email organizers full details of their work).
Submitting artists should email info@tourismwhiterock.com
For volunteer opportunities, call 604-536-3049, visit www.internationalartistday.com or email info@internationalartistday.com
Singers wanted
Pacific Showtime Men’s Chorus, based in Ocean Park, rehearses Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church, 12953 20 Ave.
The small community chorus of experienced singers is currently seeking new members for all vocal ranges: lead, tenor, baritone and bass. Male singers are invited to attend rehearsals to check out the group and, hopefully, join in.
For more information, call 604-536-5292 or email leighand@shaw.ca
