Want to hear an interesting story? On April 4, you can chat with author and former Hell’s Angel, Joe Calendino, in a special event at Volume One Books starting at 1 p.m.
Calendino, has won multiple awards for community work, and written a bestselling book about his experience: To Hell and Back: A Former Hells Angel’s Story of Recovery and Redemption.
Calendino and his co-author, Gary Little, will be signing books. The story shares how Calendino went from infamous gangster to celebrated founder of Yo Bro Yo Girl: his non-profit working with youth who are at risk of gang violence.
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Wafted in from the road westward is the news that the Zimbabwe Music Society is hosting Ron Ingram in concert tonight (Friday, March 22) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Little Zimbabwe Farm at 3581 Cowichan Lake Rd. in the Tansor area.
Amy and Tafadzwa from the Farm say, “It’s great to have Ron Ingram back in town, but only for a brief time so come and enjoy this show. Ron digs into songs about slippery slopes. What fun we will have!”
Tickets in advance by contacting https://www.facebook.com/CanadaZimbabweTourism/?tn-str=k*F are $12 each, or get them for $15 at the door.
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The Cowichan Valley Arts Council is having a volunteer day Saturday, March 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Portals in the Cowichan Community Centre.
“We have some opportunities for people who want some interesting volunteer work. Training is available for docents or for those wanting to learn more about curating or hanging a show,” says Susan Down.
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Ron Joiner, the jovial publicist for Pat’s House of Jazz at Crofton’s Osborne Bay Pub, has passed along a note about an upcoming act.
“Victoria pianist, vocalist and composer Ashley Wey has a way of bringing the jazz standards freshly back to life and her trio has built a large repertoire and a strong group sound that emphasizes intricate harmonies and melodies,” he says.
With her husband, bassist Louis Rudner, and drummer Graham Villette, Wey brings her group to the pub on Sunday, March 24 for an afternoon of scintillating music.
“Apart from her work on the Island, Wey has performed with 2006 Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, Juno Award-winning Brandi Disterheft, vocalist Mae Moore, and The Parachute Club. She has also performed on cruise ships around the world with four-time Grammy Award-winner Manny Kellough,” according to Joiner.
Wey and her group are presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society as part of its weekly jazz series. The show begins at 2 p.m.
Reservations are recommended. Call 250-324-2245. Tables will be held until 1:30 p.m. Admission is $15.
For more information, visit http://osbornebaypub.com.
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The latest in a series of fine shows at the Providence Farm Chapel features multi-award winning artists Big Little Lions on Saturday, March 30.
Doors open at 7, with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
Big Little Lions hail from Cincinnati, OH and B.C., Canada, born out of a collaboration that won them a Juno Award in 2014, and first place in the International Songwriting Competition, Song of the Year in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Ever since they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs with tight harmonies that sound like the product of two people working side-by-side instead of living in different countries.
After winning Ensemble of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for their 2015 debut album, they released their sophomore album, Just Keep Moving, which was nominated for two WCMA’s for Roots Group and Recording of the Year and two 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards — Contemporary Album and Vocal Group of the Year.
Tickets are $20 at Duncan Music, or online at https://barelynorth.tickit.ca/events/6126-big-little-lions-live-in-the-chapel
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It’s time to mark your calendars for the Cowichan Artisans Spring Studio Tour.
It all takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12-14.
During these three days, 14 professional, full-time artisans will open their studio doors to share experiences and showcase their work. Each artist aims to inspire those that tour their studios, each piece of work is original and each, a labour of love reflecting the highest standards.
“During the tour, I love the moment when people enter the studio and then stop, their eyes open wide as they take in my unusual art materials. As they start to connect with the vintage found objects and old papers and the history they hold, their own stories come out. It is lovely,” says one of the group’s newest members, Wilma Millette, collage and assemblage artist.
Look up the group online at https://www.cowichanartisans.com/2017-tour-map to download a tour map and get more information.