Leslie Cox, of the CV Writers Society, sent along a note to remind everyone that “There is still time to register for writing workshops being offered at the 2020 North Island Writers Conference. But if you delay too long you will miss out. There is something for every aspiring writer including: flash fiction with Traci Skuce, writing fantasy with Jo-Anne McLean, cultural appropriation with Wedlidi Speck, crime writing with award-winning author Jayne Barnard, how to tell your story, point of view, tackling social media and a Blue Pencil Café with Paula Wild.
Visit https://cvwriterssociety.ca/conference to learn more about these workshops and others being offered on Jan. 25 and 26. Registration is available online.
It all takes place in the Comox Valley, and includes a Friday evening social event in the Stan Hagen Theatre on Jan. 24.
The keynote speaker is award-winning author Eden Robinson, a Haisla/Heiltsuk author who grew up in Haisla, B.C. and the current Campbell River Museum’s Haig-Brown writer in residence. Of special note in Robinson’s impressive writing career is the upcoming CBC mini-series based on her book trilogy, Son of a Trickster, Trickster Drift and the third, as yet unpublished, The Return of the Trickster or The Trickster Returns.
Also on Friday night’s agenda are the two winners of the recent NIC three-hour writing contest held in November. All are welcome and admission is free on Friday night.
Questions? Contact Leslie at 250-337-8051; duchessofdirt@telus.net or Joline at 250-331-0778; hobojo.martin@gmail.com.
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Cari Burdett writes that Richard Moody is coming to perform with Oliver Swain in a concert that also doubles as a birthday party.
“Want to celebrate with me?” she asks.
It’s all happening on Saturday, Jan. 11. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. at Lila Music Centre on Gibbins Road.
It’s all part of a project entitled Tobacco and Rose, which has been two years in the making for Burdett.
“Much of the music was born from work with plant medicine, sitting in healing circle, and being inspired to write like I haven’t in 20 years. The music is spiritual: reverential to mother nature and the heart of human experience, but also sophisticated harmonically and lyrically, a nod to my inspiration by some of the greats such as Dylan, Cohen, and Bach. These songs have been my medicine; I would now like to offer them to my community and to the world.”
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Kids get in for $10. Seating is limited and the show may sell out, so hurry to see if there are any seats left.
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Barely North Entertainment welcomes back Ladysmith native Ryan McMahon (of Lion Bear Fox) for an evening of songs and stories on Friday, Jan. 10 in the Chapel at Providence Farm starting at 7:30 p.m.
McMahon has carved out an almost 20-year career as an independent artist in Canada’s vibrant music scene, and, according to the show press release, he enjoys it when people say he’s hard to pigeon-hole.
“Ryan sings to anyone and everyone who has ever got drunk, smoked, cried, loved or been loved,” says producer Andre Wahl (Hawksley Workman, Luke Doucet).
The singer/songwriter’s goal has always been to craft songs about life, lived by real people.
“I didn’t know who I was until I found music. I found that the person I was becoming in my songs was far more confident and self-assured than I was myself. Writing songs was my way of relating to people on a broader scale than I could otherwise.”
Over the course of his career, this vibrant performer has toured Canada countless times, released five full-length albums, and has shared the stage with an extremely wide variety of artists, ranging from Lisa Loeb and Buffy Ste. Marie to Nickelback and Mother Mother. He’s also a festival favourite.
Tickets are $20 (kids 12 and under free); find them online at https://barelynorth.tickit.ca/events/8077-ryan-mcmahon-live-in-the-chapel.
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Sounds of Silver, AKA Trio d’ Argento, is the first group to present a concert in 2020 as the Chemainus Classical Concerts series continues Sunday, Jan. 26, starting at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church.
Music lovers can enjoy the playing of cellist Paul Pulford, flautist Sybille Marquardt, and pianist Todd Yaniw.
According to series publicist Marion Priestley, they are “known for their superb level of excellence combined with a fun, conversational stage presence” and have performed to “rave reviews” across Canada.
It will be a multi-faceted program of music, featuring Beethoven’s gorgeous ‘Trio Op. 11’, Alice Ho’s ‘Cothurnus’, jazz pieces by Bolling and Gershwin, as well as carefully selected works to showcase each individual artist.
Tickets are $20 at the door for adults, or $10 for under 18. Check out http://www.ChemainusClassicalConcerts.ca for all the advance ticket locations or call 250-748-8383 to reserve.