by Zora Doval
On behalf of the ArtConnect Society board I like to invite the community to our first concert at the Harrison Memorial Church on Saturday, March 12 starting at 6 pm. With all the obstacles the Society had to overcome it seems almost unreal that the door of this beautiful heritage building will actually open and start hosting cultural events for the enjoyment of our community. We will welcome an accomplished harpist/poetess known under her artistic name Diemm to be the feature of our first concert. Her music has been described as “ethereal folk” with crystalline vocals and lyrics like arrows, her poetry inviting the listener into the place between conscious and subconscious mind. She communes with the Muse that has power to illuminate. I am looking forward to hear her harp and voice release the overtones the special acoustics of our church are known for.
As a society we have an ambitious programming plan with coffee houses offered every fourth Saturday each month. It is my hope that these events will become a popular platform for musicians both professional or amateurs, local or more distant to come together to share in each other’s artistry and message. These events will be hosted under the artistic umbrella of ArtConnect Society by local musicians Mary & Paul Wherzpeter. The hope is that the format of a coffee house will create opportunity for younger and less seasoned musicians to perform in front of an audience. And so, if you like to try a performance, but don’t feel you have enough repertoire or stamina for a full concert, you can start by singing 2-3 songs at the open mic during a coffee house.
We are also hoping to offer several full concerts featuring musicians of different genres and from other areas. My goal as the artistic director of the Society is to bring a variety of performers so that audiences with varied taste will be able to enjoy the venue. I am negotiating with some very remarkable talent from both classical and jazz realm for shows in late spring and summer. I hope that many of you will chose to attend the events. Your attendance will be the best way to support the cause of making sure the church will remain a community asset for years to come.
Tickets are $20 and are available through Eventbrite, the ArtConnect website: artconnect.cc/events or at the Crawford Bay Market, The Lakeview or Destiny Bay Grocers.