DeCoste featuring classical, blues performers

Two upcoming performances at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre don’t necessarily fall into the main stream musical categories. One includes a classical performance by a guitar duo and the other is a blues concert.

The third show of a four-part Classical Series, sponsored in part by Debut Atlantic, has Steve Cowan and Adam Cicchillitti, a guitar duo performing on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Both are award-winning artists and are among some of Canada’s brightest emerging performers and recording artists.

Their performance will include music from some of Spain’s most important early 20th Century composers like Albeniz, Granados, Torroba and Turina. The pair display their exceptional virtuoso musicality and skill on their guitars to move concert goers.

Executive director of deCoste, Troy Greencorn, says the facility has been fortunate to have corporate and individual sponsorship to help make some of these shows more financially feasible. It’s enabled the venue to offer free admission to the performance for students, helping expose them to this kind of music. Others will pay a fee of $25, with a reduced member price of $22.

The blues concert will be a double-header featuring Garrett Mason, son of legendary Maritime Blues musician Dutch Mason, who has been becoming an award-winning performer in his own right with strong original songs with a voice reminiscent of a veteran performer.

With him will be a young duo from St. John’s, N.L., whose touring throughout Canada and the U.S. at numerous festivals and showcases has garnered Nick Earle and Joe Coffin — two 18-year-olds — a great deal of recognition.

Earle and Coffin have received accolades in 2016 as Young Performers of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Association and won the 2017 Music NL Award for blues/jazz artist of the year and have received numerous regional and national nominations.

Greencorn says the venue will be set up cabaret style for this performance and they will have the bar open throughout the evening enabling patrons to relax and unwind, similar to if they were at a bar. The price is $28 or $25 for members. The box office, located at 99 Water St., Pictou is open Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. where tickets can be purchased in person or by phone at 902-485-8848 ext. 1, or online at www.decostecentre.ca.