Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Nanaimo Bar None!

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
Nanaimo Bar None
Showcasing supreme, scrumptious talent
Producer: Calvin Dyck, Violinist
Saturday, May 3, 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre, Nanaimo
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supreme, Scrumptious Nanaimo Talent – Bar None!

Nanaimo’s got talent, gastronomical and otherwise! There’s the Nanaimo Bar, famous dessert known around the world, and now there’s the NANAIMO BAR NONE – a delicious family event on Saturday May 3 (two shows 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) at the Port Theatre. The ingredients: supreme, scrumptious up-and-coming and world-class Nanaimo talent – 170-plus award-winning performers, all in one fantabulous show.

This blockbuster event, being presented by the Vancouver Island Symphony, will appeal to all ages and all senses – with the rhythmic, smooth and silky sounds of musicians and singers, to the luscious sights of dancers, lights, colour, sets, costumes and action, and to the mouth-watering taste and smell of real Nanaimo Bars (plus special chocolates and Nanaimo Bar Ice-Cream available at intermission by donation). Add feelings of joy, celebration, laughter, wonder, rapture and pride and you have a totally delectable event – bar none!

Says Calvin Dyck, popular producer, director, violinist and entertainer, “I’m really excited about the different art forms – resembling the layers of the Nanaimo Bar - from jazz bands and a string quartet (with members of the VI Symphony), to piano, violin and guitar soloists, singers, dancers, and Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate, Naomi Wakan. It’s the fabric of Nanaimo life!”

First layer - into the mixing bowl combine the 50+ VIS Fabulous Fives choir led by Patricia Plumley, the Wellington Jazz Band conducted by Carmella Luvisotto, and pianist Devon Joiner flying in from New York to tickle the ivories. Add a cup of Kirkwood Academy Dance, composer and pianist Sarah Wood, and Eric Harper on guitar - and mix well.

Second Layer – blend a creamy filling of Nico Rhodes jazz trio, popular dancer Holly Bright of Crimson Coast Dance, Andrew Clark on French horn, and the Symphonic Choir. Add feelings of joy, celebration, laughter, wonder, rapture and pride – and spread evenly.

The topping – Ah well, we can’t give that away. It’s full of surprises and too spectacular – like Nanaimo and the delight of pure chocolate, it has to be experienced to be savoured. The audience will be left craving more of this delectable event – bar none!

Tickets (individual and family 4-pack) to this gourmet event are available by calling 250-754-8550.

For more information visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.
Passport to Great Entertainment – Keeping Music LIVE!

 

The Best of the Beatles with the Vancouver Island Symphony & Jeans'N Classics Band

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
The Best of the Beatles
Guest artists: Jeans ‘n Classics Band
VIS Symphonic Choir
Conductor: Pierre Simard
Saturday, April 26, 3:0p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre, Nanaimo
Tickets: (Individual and Family 4-Pack)
250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calling all Beatles fans!
For Jeans’N Classics at the Symphony!
 
What crosses every cultural border and transcends every generation? The Beatlesand their music. Just about every one of every age around the world recognizes them. On Saturday, April 26, the Vancouver Island Symphony presents the Jeans’N Classics Band and The Best of the Beatles in two riveting jeans and classics shows (at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.).

The music: Headlining the show - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band! This became a global hit and has been and still is considered the most important rock and roll album ever made. The talented Jeans’N Classics Band presents the entire Sgt. Pepper album and, with the assistance of Pierre Simard, the VI Symphony and the Symphonic Choir, will highlight such Beatles’ hits as: (Just like) Starting Over, Across the Universe, Eleanor Rigby, My Sweet Lord, Woman, Because, The Long and Winding Road, and Let It Be.

The band - Since its inception in the 1990’s, the Jeans’N Classics Band has been a star performer in the arts and entertainment scene across North America. Its concept of combining rock musicians and headlining stars with world-class symphony orchestras has drawn record setting capacity crowds.

Jean Meilleur – Lead singer for ‘The Best of the Beatles’ is Jean Meilleur, a prolific singer-songwriter who has been performing professionally for over twenty-five years. While he performs the music of so many artists, Meilleur paints the lyrics and the melody with a thick, robust timbre that is immediately recognizable as his own.

Says Meilleur. “I’ve always loved the Beatles’ music, and it’s quite a moving experience to sing it.” Then Meilleur adds, “You could play a Beatles song in a rain forest and it would be known. In our history books the Beatles will be a massive root in the tree of popular music. It’s music that will last forever, like Beethoven."
 
Joining Meilleur for this show are Jeans’N Classics Band members Kathryn Rose and Leah Salomaa on back-up vocals, Dave Dunlop on guitars, Donald Paulton on keyboard and vocals, Darryl Stacey on bass, and Jeff Christmas on drums.
 
Tickets – (individual and family 4-packs) for the biggest Beatles show ever (with 160 performers on stage) are available by calling 250-754-8550.
And don’t forget to wear your jeans!
For more information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Passport to Great Entertainment - Keeping Music LIVE!