John Lee Sanders
Bluesman John Lee Sanders, who, over a long career, has worked with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page, Willie Nelson and Stevie Wonder, will headline A Gospel Blues Christmas Concert, presented by Geoff Giffin and Wendy Bollard’s Peninsula Productions, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. at First United Church, 15385 Semiahmoo Ave.
Joining the smooth Deep South-style keyboardist, vocalist and sax player – now a White Rock resident – will be blues vocalist extraordinaire Sibel Thrasher and an all-star five-piece backup band.
Tickets ($25) are available from Tapestry Music, First United Church and www.surreyarts.ca
For more information, visit www.peninsulaproductions.org
Phil Dickson
South Surrey singer-songwriter Phil Dickson is going all out with an elaborate concert show to launch his long-awaited first solo album, Play, Friday. Dec. 16 (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr.
Opening the evening will be a set by solo acoustic artist Patrick Gavigan at 8 p.m., followed by Dickson and his band at 9:30 p.m.
For a preview of Dickson’s music, catch his first official music video, directed by Charlie Schrodt, on YouTube.
It’s an all-ages, dry event, with tickets at $15 (fans under 10 are admitted free, Dickson says).
Tickets are available from 604-531-5969, or visit www.phildickson.com
Sword approaching
The Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s Christmas pantomime, Ellie King’s The Sword In The Stone, is waiting in the wings for a Dec. 16-31 run at Surrey Arts Centre Theatre (13750 88 Ave.)
The show – a version of the legend of how Arthur came to be King of the Britons – offers “traditional British pantomime at its unruly best.”
King’s production features a blend of music and mirth and favourite characters, including regulars Mandy Tulloch as Arthur, Claurien Zanoria as the fair Guinevere, Kerri Norris as wicked Queen Morgana, Bob Wilson as Merlin the Magician and James King as the Demon King, plus a host of Druids, trolls, shepherdesses, and even a dragon (or is it two?).
New this season is a ‘fantabulous’ Family Christmas Party, Dec. 17, featuring a magician, music, Merlin’s magical craft table, Santa and Mrs. Claus – plus the show – with all proceeds in aid of the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.
There will also be a two-for-one preview night Dec. 15.
For more information on showtimes, or to order tickets, call 604-501-5566, or visit www.rctheatreco.com
Mother Goose
Latest in the White Rock Players Club’s 57-year tradition of Christmas pantomimes, Mother Goose by the Brothers Dimm, directed by Dave Baron, continues at Coast Capital Playhouse (1532 Johnston Rd.) until Boxing Day.
Evening performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and there are 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays.
White Rock Players Club members are currently holding a food bank drive, and donations of non-perishable food items for Sources White Rock-South Surrey Food Bank are gratefully accepted in the lobby.
For tickets and show time information, visit www.whiterockplayers.ca or call 604-536-7535.
Joe Given
Catch a rising star this month at McJac’s Roadhouse Grille.
Acclaimed young singer-songwriter-actor Joe Given will be featured in an intimate performance Saturday, Dec. 17 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) at the restaurant, 1781 King George Blvd.
The 19-year-old performer, by day a business management major at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, will showcase his golden voice – and charisma to match – in sets of originals and covers in the pop and R&B idioms (with a little rock and soul thrown in for good measure).
He’s racked up an impressive record of playing more than 400 venues and special events over the past three years, plus a whole raft of awards and scholarships, and has also branched out into acting, this year earning a Community Theatre Coalition nomination for best actor in a leading role in a musical for the role of Schroeder in Surrey Little Theatre’s You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Chances are his current performance will also feature some of the original material from his second album, which he hopes to release in early 2012.
For dinner reservations, call 604-531-3167.
Surrey Children’s Choir
Members of the popular Surrey Children’s Choir family will help contribute to the old fashioned Christmas atmosphere this season at Burnaby Village Museum.
Choristers (including adult SCC alumni) directed by founder and artistic director Stephen Horning will be on view as roving carollers at the heritage themed museum site, at 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Saturday, Dec. 17 (5 to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, Dec. 18 (5 to 7 p.m.).
A Touch of Brass
Christmas with A Touch of Brass marks the return of a seasonal favourite, Friday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2350 148 St.
The stellar brass quintet, led by Tapestry Music proprietor David Sabourin on tuba, features Tom Shorthouse and Jim Littleford (trumpets), Jeremy Berkman (trombone) and Ben Kinsman (French Horn); all members of the Vancouver Symphony and Vancouver Opera orchestras.
Also featured will be the Kwantlen University Brass Ensemble. Tickets ($20, $15 students and seniors, $5 children 12 and under) are available at Tapestry Music and at the door.
Seasonal Donnellys
South Surrey’s famed anthem singer Mark ‘Mr. O Canada’ Donnelly will have two showcases this Christmas season.
Members of the musical Donnelly family will be featured Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. at the Clarke Theatre, Mission (33700 Prentis Ave.) in a special Christmas presentation by Rock.It Boy.
Mark will be joined by daughters Colleen (soprano), Theresa (mezzo-soprano) and son Sean in a concert featuring solos and beautifully blended harmonies from their CD, A Donnelly Family Christmas.
Advance tickets are $20 (plus facility fees and service charges) from Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-885-985-5000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca
Closer to home, Mark Donnelly will be back in White Rock Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd., for Mark Donnelly and Friends, a different concert just in time to usher in the new year, also presented by Rock.It Boy.
Tickets ($39.50, plus facility fee and service charges) are available at the Coast Capital Playhouse box office (604-536-7535) or online at www.whiterockplayers.ca
