Sea Of Stories
Peninsula Productions’ long-awaited Sea Of Stories – a historical musical tribute to White Rock coinciding with Canada 150 celebrations – opens tonight (Wednesday), at Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.
Produced in partnership with the City of White Rock, with funding from Heritage Canada, Sea Of Stories combines an original book by Shawn Macdonald and songs by musical director Dominik Heins, helmed by Peninsula Productions’ artistic director Wendy Bollard.
A fictional framing narrative – Anita and her 14-year-old son Jeffrey have moved to White Rock to help Anita’s mother transition into a retirement home – provides the hook for real-life characters and events in White Rock history, including the 1912 to 1957 period of town-building, but also exploring the area’s Indigenous culture and the people of the Semiahmoo First Nation (artist Roxanne Charles was a consultant during development of the script).
Cast members include Sam Bob, Matthew Budd, Jessie Chan, Nancy Ebert, Paige Gibbs, Miranda Gilbert, Anthony Goncharov, Cory Haas, Theo James, Kirsten Kwong, Tegan Verheul, Cathy Wilmot and Andrew Wood. Choreography is by Keri Minty; set, lighting and projection design by Alan Brodie and costumes by Ines Ortner.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, with 2:30 p.m. matinees on the weekends, until Aug. 26.
Tickets ($27, $22 seniors and $13 students) are available from 604-536-7535 or www.peninsulaproductions.org
TD Concerts at the Pier
There’s going to be a distinctly hometown look to the proceedings when the penultimate TD Concerts at the Pier event hits the stage next to the White Rock Museum and Archives this Thursday (Aug. 10).
One of the opening acts, bluesy singer-songwriter Ava Carich (at 7 p.m.), winner of last year’s Roadhouse Live Youth Talent Search, has already proven herself a Peninsula favourite.
But headliners Little Destroyer (9 p.m.) also have a strong White Rock angle, thanks to locally-raised singer Allie Sheldan (formely of Rio Bent fame).
For Little Destroyer, she has teamed with brothers Chris and Michael Weiss to create a raw and powerful, synth-heavy alt pop band with a gritty, underground punk vibe, currently creating a stir on the Vancouver scene and across Canada.
Non-locals on the bill are up and coming Edmonton-based indie rock band The Velveteins, Spencer Morphy and Addison Hiller‘s update of surfer band aesthetic which promises an interesting set starting at 7:45 p.m.
TD Concerts at the Pier series, now in its third year, is presented by the White Rock BIA – in partnership with TD Canada Trust, the City of White Rock and REMAX.
Platinum Blonde will wrap up the series at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, with opening act Spirit at 7 p.m.
Canada 150 shows
The City of White Rock, Semiahmoo Arts and Canada 150 are co-presenting two exhibits this summer highlighting both established and emerging artists, curated by Melanie Watts.
The second exhibit, Our Future, opens Saturday (Aug. 12) at the Pop-Uptown Gallery, 1459 B Johnston Rd. with a reception from 2-5 p.m.
It features new artwork by Debbie Westergaard Tuepah with Roxanne Charles, plus work by Christine Leviczky-Riek, Diane Roy, Tom Douglas, Bev Ellis, Robert Wakefield, Mallory Donen, Molly Gray, Uryel Cho, Tony Wilson, Chrystal Johnston, Linda Bickerton-Ross, Brandy McLean, Rachel Kirkpatrick, YoungHwa Cha Hach, Frazer Cole, Jevon Greco and Lesley Tannen.
Subtitled Sagas, Narratives – and Selfies, the exhibits began with the Our Past exhibition, still running at White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Ave.
The new exhibit runs to Sept. 17, and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kerry O’Donovan
Popular South Surrey-raised singer/pianist/musical director Kerry O’Donovan will have another turn in the Semiahmoo Peninsula spotlight with an evening of music Saturday (Aug. 12) at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Club 240, 2643 128 St.
Special guest for O’Donovan’s program of songs both old and new will be vocalist Erin Palm. The show is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15. To reserve, call 604-536-7983.
Blue Frog
More summer evenings with both local and internationally-noted musicians are on the way at White Rock’s intimate concert venue, Blue Frog Studios.
Upcoming shows include a summertime dance party with local favourites The Ocean Park Wailers, Saturday Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.
Featuring Mike Sheeshka (lead vocals and guitar), Kevin Irwin (lead guitar and vocals), Russ Froese (bass and vocals), Paul Sorbara (drums) Elliott Clarkson (saxophone and vocals), Bill Brooks (keys) and Jim Widdifield (Hammond organ and keys), the band covers everything from deep blues and rock, to R & B, roots and originals.
Also on the way is Byrd Dawg, Joel Dietrich and Wayne Rempel‘s ‘ultimate tribute’ to the Everly Brothers, Friday, Aug. 18 (still tickets for the 9:15 show).
And on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. it’s the Afro-Cuban style music of multiple Juno Award-winner Jane Bunnett and Maqueque.
The venue is located at 1328 Johnston Rd.; tickets are available at 604-542-3055, or visit www.bluefrogstudios.ca
Trad Jazz
Popular White Rock Traditional Jazz Society season of house band Red Beans & Rice, led by cornetist/pianist Rice Honeywell Sr., continues its 13th summer season of Dixieland-style jazz, offering regular dances on Sundays (2-5 p.m.) at Club 240 (the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch).
This Sunday’s event will feature society regular Bob Aitken on drums.
The band holds sway every Sunday afternoon until Aug. 27, including holiday long weekends, until the fall.
Red Beans & Rice can also be seen Friday, Aug. 25 (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) at Porter’s Bistro, 21611 48 Ave., Langley (reservations recommended, 604-530-5297).
Admission (at the door) is $10 for WRTJS members and full-time students, $12 for everybody else.
Elvis tribute
Steve Elliott, popular, award-winning Elvis tribute artist, will bring the classic Presley style and rock n’ roll sound to the Crescent Legion’s Club 240, Saturday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m.
“If you like Elvis, you will love Steve,” said Club 240 coordinator Doug Milne.
Those who arrive early also have an opportunity to have their photo taken with Elliott and his big pink Cadillac, Milne added.
The Legion is located at 2643 128 St.
Tickets are $20 at the door, or through brownpapertickets.com
