Mark Allan
Special to The Record
You can have some of the Comox Valley’s best musicians and singers in the palm of your hand next month.
Four solo performers and two duos, recorded in performance at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay, will be streamed to anyone who has paid for a ticket.
Sue Pyper is an award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter originally from London, England. She writes gentle, insightful and heartfelt songs that look at life from all angles.
Anela Kahiamoe is one of the few pure Hawaiians left in the world. A multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, his styles include jazz, rock, country, blues and reggae. Luke Blu Guthrie is a naturally charismatic and dynamic performer who shares tunes that are poetic and poignant.
Tammylynn Filgate fills venues with her soulful voice. By 14 she was performing and writing songs. Leaning toward country, she reached the semi-finals of the B.C. Talent Search 2016.
Elise LeBlanc sings intimate, earthy songs inspired by ’70s folk, classic country, bluegrass, and soul. Her original songs speak of strength, shadow, longing and resilience.
Judy and Bruce Wing bring a distinctive acoustic flavor with intertwining guitar parts, smooth vocals, and soul-born melodies. They have recorded four CDs, each available on iTunes.
Nathan Senner is a local musician known for his moving songs. Nominated for Song of the Year and Vocalist of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards, he’s recorded two CDs.
Pyper, Guthrie-Kahiamoe, and Filgate will be presented May 7, while LeBlanc, the Wings and Senner will be streamed May 14.
Local singer-songwriter Alannah Clarke will be the host for both 60-minute Songwriters of the Comox Valley shows. Interviews will be shown between the acts.
“The Comox Valley Arts Council is going to foot the bill for the artists and the venue,” explains promoter David Stevenson.
Originally planning one show, Stevenson added a second when interest from local musicians was heavy.
He said ticketholders will be able to access the shows within 24 hours of them being streamed from 7 to 8 p.m.
Stevenson, who hints he might present shows at The Gardens on Anderton again, says he might consider streaming something again, too.
“It’s going to be based on the COVID regulations and what kind of response we get.”
Any profit will cover production costs incurred by him and Steve Ray, who’s shooting the video.
Tickets cost $15 and are available from the Sid Williams Theatre at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com and searching under events. Watch for Songwriters of the Comox Valley.
Anela Kahiamoe and Luke Blu Guthrie recently released a collaboration CD, “Stringfellows.”
Bruce and Judy Wing are well-known throughout the Comox Valley for their smooth, melodic sound. Photo via Facebook
