Artists offer creative event solutions
With the news that the vaccine maker Pfizer-BioNTech has slowed down shipments to Canada while it expands its manufacturing plant in Belgium, I don’t feel confident that our arts and community events will blossom anytime soon.
But innovative artists are offering small doses of in-person and online creative solutions to stay enthused until the weather allows us more options for outdoor inspiration.
Last week, I went to the Living Things Festival installation at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. I thoroughly enjoyed watching “The Collective Body” and love the concept of this audio/video project that is based on the creative movement of body parts to music.
The project began with dancers recording isolated movements of one body part in motion. These videos were then sent to musicians to create music to those actions; then those musical soundscapes were sent to another set of dancers to create and film choreography to the music they heard.
This installation is ever changing as more music and film is added to the loop for creative variety. It will be on going every night from 5 to 9 p.m., until the end of January. Watch from outside or inside the RCA building — take a sippy cup of a hot beverage and enjoy the sound and vision.
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While at the RCA, wander inside to the Alternator Gallery to see the exhibition of Master of Fine Arts students Brittany Reitzel and Sam Neal, who have occupied the space to show their body of work. Reitzel presents “Wallflowers,” which is exhibited in the gallery windows while Neal takes over the main gallery with “Inland Waters.” This show is on until Saturday.
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On Monday, it’s Robbie Burns night and whether we are Scottish or not ,it’s a great excuse to party and celebrate the Scottish poet and lyricist’s 262nd birthday.
With that said, tune into a livestream concert singalong with musician and singer Michelle Carlisle, who has deep roots in the Okanagan, as she invites several special guests to get you in the mood.
The show begins at 7 p.m. which is plenty of time to don your plaid or tartans, eat your “neeps,” “tatties” and haggis, then enjoy a whisky/scotch tasting tutorial. And once we are beveraged-up, nothing is better than a knee-slapping singalong. You can find the link to the concert through michellecarlisle.ca. If you would like a list of the scotch/ whisky tasting menu, email Michelle at michelle@michellecarlisle.ca.
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There is such wonderful talent in our valley and for that reason I want to tell you about an opportunity for those who would like a career in opera. The Vancouver Opera Guild is opening up their scholarship applications and awarding a grant of $6000.00 to a highly qualified singer, age 20 to 33. Their application deadline is April 15. Full details on the Vancouver Opera Guild website: vancouveroperaguild.com
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Book your space for a virtual concert featuring the Gary Cable Project. This concert of pop and rock is the result of nine months of planning for this Zoom show that will stream live on Friday Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are are $10-$20 . For more information and links to purchase tickets, visit: garycableproject.com
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It’s hard not to focus on our neighbours today as it is the inauguration day for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. With its theme “America United,” I feel an uneasy sense of peace, mixed with anxiety from the Washington riots and the chaos of these last four years. I am seriously praying for a transition of power miracle.
When this day is over, perhaps then we, as Canadians, can focus on our own country, which has a global reputation for kindness and support of our fellow man. Let’s lead by example please.