The Cowichan Folk Guild is urging everyone to go West My Friend this weekend.
Steeped in the visual styles of western Canada, West My Friend are veterans of the Victoria music scene, and they will be heading to the Chapel at Providence Farm on Saturday, March 7 for a show starting at 7:30 p.m.
After 10 years as a band, they’re gearing up to release their fourth album, In Constellation, in September. “On this, their latest effort, the band continues to refine the art of creating achingly poignant folk music, only this time, they’re backed by a full symphony orchestra, heavily layered while remaining lighthearted. Intricate yet accessible. Melancholic yet optimistic,” organizers say.
Tickets to the show are $20, or $15 for folk guild members with their code. Children 12 and under get in free.
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We heard from the Cowichan Chapter of the Council of Canadians this week, and they let us know that they’re celebrating World Water Day this year with a documentary film.
On Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. there will be a screening of The Condor and the Eagle at Duncan United Church (246 Ingram St.).
Here’s their description of the event:
“This World Water Day, the Cowichan Valley Chapter of the Council of Canadians is committing to climate justice and amplifying Indigenous voices.
“Amidst the burning Amazon, the mega fires in Australia, and the global climate strikes, World Water Day reminds us that water and climate change are inextricably linked,” organizers said.
“The Condor and the Eagle tells a story of Indigenous leaders embarking on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Canadian Boreal forests to deep into the heart of the Amazon jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America — the Indigenous prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle,” said Clement Guerra, one of the film’s directors.
“The Condor and The Eagle documentary offers a glimpse into a developing spiritual renaissance as the film’s four protagonists learn from each other’s long legacies of resistance to colonialism and its extractive economy. Their path through the jungle takes them on an unexpectedly challenging and liberating journey, which will forever change their attachment to the Earth and one another.”
Sounds like a great chance to see an off-the-beaten-track film.
“We’re proud to be sharing this incredible film with our community in Duncan,” says Laurel Circle of the local Council of Canadians chapter. “We see this film screening as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with local organizations and continue to support and amplify their important work protecting the land and water.”
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There’s always lots of music coming up at the Duncan Showroom, and the next few weeks are no exception.
On Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. Sari Alesh with Southbound drop in for “a wonderful coming together of cultures through music. What a pairing. Sari from Syria on violin with Victoria’s acoustic music collective know as Southbound,” enthuses the Showroom’s Longevity John Falkner. Tickets are $18 in advance, or $20 at the door.
Then on Wednesday, March 11 perennial Cowichan Valley favourite Ed Peekeekoot hits the Showroom stage at 7:30 p.m. with his flute, his guitar and some friends for “a very memorable evening of folk.” Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 in advance.
The next night, Thursday, March 12, sees local singer/songwriter Cara McCandless hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.
“A live performance by Cara is a wonderful experience that really makes a song take hold of your soul,” says Falkner.
Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance.
Then, on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. guitarist and composer Brad Prevedoros will celebrate the release of his 15th album Cloud Hidden, with Paul Wilkinson-Teel on bass and Brad Hawkes on percussion.
Tickets are $22 at the door and $20 in advance.
