The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre has a busy March planned, with everything from a children’s dinosaur adventure to tributes to some of the world’s most famous musicians, to the cream of the crop of local entertainers.
It all starts with a bang on March 3 at 7 p.m with Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers Story.
The show tells the story of the most successful musical duo of all time, the Everly Brothers. It features all their biggest hits from ‘Bye Bye Love’ to ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’.
“This unique concert-based musical entwines the wonderful, sad yet glorious story of The Everly Brothers,” says a press release for the show.
Tickets are $59.
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The next day, March 4 at 7:30 p.m., it’s a whole different sound when the Cowichan Symphony Society presents Angela Hewitt: Bach Concerti.
The show stars pianist Angela Hewitt, who will also conduct the Victoria Symphony.
“In demand around the globe as a recitalist and soloist, this Canadian treasure’s interpretations of Bach launched her into the classical music stratosphere,” says a press release for the show.
Tickets are $55, with a special price of $10 for students and children.
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Then on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. some of the best in Cowichan take the stage in the Cowichan Music Festival’s Highlights Concert.
It will feature musicians and dancers of all ages who scored the highest marks in their individual performances.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children.
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On March 8 at 6:30 p.m. a clown looks to tickle your funny bone with Jamie Adkins: Circus Incognitus.
A press release describes Adkins as “the vulnerable everyman, who has just written a terrific show.”
“He wanders onto stage with the new show in a box, delighted to find the audience ready waiting. Knowing he has just the thing, Jamie struggles to build the scene around him using everyday objects. Things go awry as his props prove most unhelpful.”
Tickets are $36 for adults, $18 for children, and $90 for a family. Family tickets cannot be purchased online.
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On March 16 at 6:30 p.m. it’s one for the kids with A Dinosaur Tale.
So what’s the story?
“A pair of intrepid eighth graders discover a time-warping wormhole while on their school field trip that has brought dinosaurs back to our world,” says a press release. “A Dinosaur Tale is a live action fantasy for the whole family!”
Tickets are $36 for adults, $18 for children and $90 for a family. Family tickets are not available online.
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The next day, March 17 at 7:30 p.m., be ready for something completely different, as DakhaBrakha hit the stage.
This world music quartet is from Kyiv, Ukraine.
“Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian ‘ethnic chaos’ band DakhaBrakha, create a world of unexpected new music,” says a press release for the show.
“Having experimented with Ukrainian folk music, the band has added rhythms of the surrounding world into their music, thus creating bright, unique and unforgettable image of DakhaBrakha,” says a description of their sound. “Accompanied by traditional instrumentation from different countries, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture.”
All proceeds from merchandise sales will go towards charities supporting Ukraine war relief programs.
Tickets are $52 for adults and $45 for students.
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It’s a morning session next on March 18 at 9 a.m., as opera hits the big screen with The Met Opera: Lohengrin.
This is a Wagner opera, and stars tenor Piotr Beczala in the title role of the mysterious swan knight. “Sopranos Tamara Wilson and Elena Stikhina, as the virtuous duchess Elsa, falsely accused of murder, go head-to-head with soprano Christine Goerke as the cunning sorceress Ortrud, who seeks to lay her low. Bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin is Ortrud’s power-hungry husband, Telramund, and bass Günther Groissböck is King Heinrich,” says a press release for the show.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $32 for seniors, with a special $5 ticket price for students in grades 8-12.
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Next up it’s the Legends Show on March 20 at 7 p.m.
Enjoy the music of Roy Orbison, Connie Francis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley.
Producers promise the show “brings you some of North America’s most outstanding performers live on stage.”
They will be accompanied by the Rockin’ Royals Band and The Tonettes.
So get ready for ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘You’re Cheatin’ Heart’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and lots more.
Tickets are $55.
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And the first-class tributes just keep coming on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. with The Rocket Man & The Piano Man: Tributes to Elton John & Billy Joel.
The show opens with a tribute to Billy Joel with hits like ‘It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll To Me’, ‘The Piano Man’, and ‘You May Be Right’.
Then the main show takes the stage, starring Ryan Langevin backed by a full live band and dancers.
Get ready to hear all your favourites from ‘Crocodile Rock’ to ‘Tiny Dancer’, and ‘Your Song’.
Tickets are $55.
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Reel Alternatives finishes off the busy month on March 27 at 7 p.m. with film All The Beauty & The Bloodshed.
The fundraiser for Cowichan Hospice features Academy Award documentarian Laura Poitras’s film on the life and work of famed artist Nan Goldin, including her protests against the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin.
This one is not for the kids as it contains accident trauma, scenes of surgery, drug use, mature themes, sexual content, nudity and coarse language.
Tickets are $17.
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To purchase tickets for shows, go to cowichanpac.ca, or call the Cowichan Ticket Centre at 250-746-2722 or visit in person in the lobby of the Cowichan Community Centre on James St. in Duncan.
