The McMillan Arts Centre is wrapping up their musical programming for 2019, with three concerts left to pique your musical sensibilities.
Phil Dwyer Trio
The Phil Dwyer Trio featuring Ken Lister and Hans Verhoeven will play at the McMillan Arts Centre on Friday, Dec. 6.
Lister and Dwyer are both Juno award-winning musicians, and Verhoeven teaches drums at Vancouver Island University. The event is described as an evening of music from classic movies, featuring the works of John Mendel, Henry Mancini and Cole Porter.
“[Dwyer]’s always a favourite here at the MAC – well, anywhere, let’s face it,” said MAC executive director Jennifer Bate.
“I’m really really pleased that he’s joined our performance season this year. … We’re really lucky to have him.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $18 for MAC members, and $20 for non-members.
Christmas in Hawaii
If you prefer a daytime concert, the MAC also has its final concert of the season in the Tea Dance series on Saturday, Dec. 14.
This show will feature Anela Kahiamoe, a 30-year veteran of the Honolulu music scene playing a tribute to the music of Don Ho.
“I’m really, really pleased. I think that it’s going to appeal to a demographic in our area that enjoys the concert experience of a big band,” said Bate.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their loudest Hawaiian shirt in honour of the musical occasion.
“A master of the ukulele and all guitars, Anela will thoroughly engage you with fine musicianship and vocals that will include a broad genre of music, including some Anela originals,” said organizer Rob Peterson in a release.
The show starts at 2 p.m. and features two musical sets with a tea service in between. Proceeds from the tea service go towards ovarian cancer research.
Tickets are $20 apiece or $30 per couple.
Beth Marie Anderson performs hometown show
Former Parksville-area performer Beth Marie Anderson is back for her annual Christmas concert, and is bringing special guest blues/folk/pop artist Christine Sweeney along with her.
New York’s Sweeney and Anderson met when Anderson organized writers’ round in Nashville, and the two decided to tour to each other’s hometowns to play Christmas shows together. Bate says that Anderson always draws a crowd of supportive people who have watched her grow as a musician.
Anderson’s show takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14, and tickets are going for $20.
“She is such a great talent,” said Jennifer Bate.
Anderson says she always greatly looks forward to the Parksville shows.
“I love these intimate shows with my hometown, seeing friendly familiar faces, laughing and sharing my joy for the holiday season … it’s magical,” said Anderson in a release.
“If you like laughing, smiling, being joyful and up close and personal with an artist, this is the right show for you.”
