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Lexi Bainas column: Hard work brings Cowichan projects to fruition on stage and beyond

There are so many aspects to the word, ‘art’. Discover them in these events

According to a note from Brentwood College School’s Edna Widenmaier, tonight, (April 12), the Senior Acting show Almost Maine takes place at the school, directed by instructor Sal Unterlandi.

The public are invited to attend on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, April 13 at a 2:30 p.m. matinee. Tickets are available online at theatre.brentwood.bc.ca or at the door.

The play is a series of nine vignettes revolving around love, broken hearts or hopeful ones, stagnation, and complacency challenged by desire. Each tale is a peek into the experience of loving someone, including themes of guilt and regret, disconnection and miscommunication. Most of the characters have a difficult time expressing themselves or saying what they really mean; will these characters accept the limitations of their own humanity? Will they forgive, accept, commit, go deeper for the one they love? How far can love stretch us? The playwright Cariani’s quick-witted and emotionally revealing dialogue weaves in all of these questions.

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Little Zimbabwe Farm’s concerts are welcoming Herbicidal Maniacs Saturday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

These five longtime Vancouver Island musicians are passionate about making their kind of music. On their own they bring many years of professional experience, collectively they have come together to create a genre they have dubbed WestCoast Folk/Rock. If you haven’t enjoyed an event at this unique venue at 3581 Cowichan Lake Rd., maybe this is a good time to take up the invitation of your hosts, Tafadzwa and Amy Matamba.

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This Sunday, April 14, starting at 2 p.m., at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, you can enjoy the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Giordano Bellincampi.

In this concert, part of the Masterworks series, pianist Leonardo Colafelice joins the orchestra for a superb afternoon of classical music, including the Medea Overture by Cherubini, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony No. 3.

For tickets, go to https://ctcentre.bc.ca/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent2026.html

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Paul Fletcher of the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society has passed along the news that Laurel Hibbert is this year’s Artist of the Somenos.

“This honour is bestowed on a local artist annually, to be used to promote our annual WildWings Nature & Arts Festival. Laurel is a Cowichan Valley artist and a member of the Cowichan Artisans,” he says. “The WildWings Festival, now in its 10th year, is a celebration of Cowichan Nature. The festival includes art events, talks by experts, hikes into special areas, bird and plant education and several Cowichan Tribes cultural events. The festival is supported by many organizations, business and partners. This year we welcome Cowichan Tribes as our newest partner. The Artist of the Somenos art collection is sponsored and owned by Lance and Liz Steward. It can be viewed in the WildWings Loft, upstairs at Just Jakes Restaurant.”

To learn more about WildWings and the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society visit www.wildwingsfestival.com

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Alison Bendall, a true devotee of amateur theatre in the Cowichan Valley and beyond, had some great news last week for her many friends.

Bravely following the footsteps of other talented and inspiring performers before her, she’s following her dream and has won for herself a place at the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

“I truly can’t express how happy I am and how proud I am to have finally believed enough in myself to audition…about one month ago I decided that it was finally time. Performing has been my dream and passion for a long time and I’m so excited to take this next step on my journey. There will be lots of changes and decisions to come in the next few months, but somehow I’ll make it work,” she said April 2.

As one who has had the chance to see her dedication on local projects, I am delighted to see her finally take wing towards her dream.

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While we’re talking artists, Jennifer Lawson is celebrating spring at her historic log house gallery on the Cowichan Bay estuary and river, and, she says, “There’s a fresh new crop of paintings inside, too. It’s also my 70th birthday; come celebrate with me! You’re warmly welcomed to enjoy coffee, tea, goodies by Art to Eat, a stroll in the garden and a first look at the new watercolours.”

It’s all happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 12, 13, and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an artist’s talk Sunday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at her gallery at 1516 Khenipsen Rd.

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Do you love that 70s sounds of CCR? Know every word of ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Lookin’ Out My Back Door’, ‘Bad Moon Rising’ and all the rest?

Completely Creedence, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, is inviting you to experience the incredible music of John Fogerty and CCR on Thursday, April 18 at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets are $40. Go online to https://ctcentre.bc.ca/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent2125.html or call the Cowichan Ticket Centre at 250-748-7529 and book ‘em, Dano!

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Pianist Leonardo Colafelice performs with the Victoria Symphony on April 14. (Submitted)
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Completely Creedence is coming to the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan. (Submitted)
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Herbicidal Maniacs are entertaining at Little Zimbabwe Farm this Saturday. (Submitted)