Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Symphony by the Sea - Aunti Bobbi to entertain children

HOT FLASH! This just in from producer Calvin Dyck.

AUNTI BOBBI THE CLOWN - Popular and much loved Aunti Bobbi the Clown will be at Maffeo Sutton Park from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 9 to entertain the children as they wait for Symphony by the Sea - a FREE (donations welcomed) musical extravaganza for the whole family.

So come on down - by the sea - and meet up with Aunti Bobbi and the musicians and artists of Symphony by the Sea. Be sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs and picnics.

THERE WILL BE ICE-CREAM - No summertime concert should be without ice-cream! So, there will be ice-cream from Island Farms and coffee from the Vancouver Island Symphony, and various food vendors to provide snacks for those who get a little hungry.

Add the great music, entertainment, talent, variety and of course, the beauty of Maffeo Sutton Park, the kids park, pool and Sea Wall, and the great Downtown Nanaimo - and you have a day to remember - for the whole family.


 

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Paper Bag 1812 Overture - Symphony by the Sea 2014

Come Join the Big Bang in the Paper Bag 1812 Overture at
Symphony by the Sea


When Calvin Dyck, popular violinist and man of many hats, puts together a show, just about anything can happen. Calvin loves surprising the audience – and the musicians. On Saturday, August 9 at 6 p.m. rain or shine, in Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo, Calvin is presenting Symphony by the Sea. It’s a FREE (donations welcomed) live musical family event with a cast of awesome performers like tenor Ken Lavigne, members of the Vancouver Island Symphony and Abbotsford Virtuosi, Flamenco guitarist Eric Harper, Nanaimo pianist Sarah Wood, dancer Charlene Hart, pianist and composer Mel Bowker, and Kaleb McIntyre on bagpipes. And – you got it – SURPRISES!
The Paper Bag 1812 Overture - Calvin has let the cat  (air) out of the bag regarding one surprise – the Paper Bag 1812 Overture. The big bang of cannons during this fantastic overture by Tchaikovsky is always a great way to end a sensational summertime concert. This year the audience gets to join in.
Says Calvin; “I’m considering combining the popping of paper bags with an electronic blast from our surround-sound man, Jim Kent. In the traditional music there are bells and percussion, so we will also have volunteers in the audience with different noise-makers.”

How? What? Where? And when? Calvin explains; “Just before intermission I’ll do a demonstration. Then during intermission the audience can buy paper bags for a nominal fee (we are also using the event as a fundraiser to cover costs), and at the appropriate time in the music, on cue, everyone can pop their bag. It will be a blast – several thousand paper bags being popped at the same time!”
Whose idea? “I can’t take credit for it,” laughed Calvin. “A member of the Calgary Philharmonic arranged the music a few years ago. They performed it and it was great fun. And Rosemary Thompson of the Okanagan Symphony showed the score to me. I’ve had it on the back burner ever since – waiting for the perfect time – which is Symphony by the Sea.”
Great music and entertainment.  From Calvin’s soaring Hot Canary, to Ken’s silky and breathtaking Bring Him Home, Symphony by the Sea is filled with great music and entertainment. There’s Scotland the Brave, the theme from Lord of the Rings, the spine-tingling Fanfare for the Common Man with the brass section of the Vancouver Island Symphony, Neapolitan favourites with Ken, and Cole Porter classics with Calvin - it’s music that everyone knows and loves. Add a story or two, some poetry, some dancing, more surprises and audience participation (like singing along with Ken) and you have a truly fun-filled show for the whole family.
Rain or shine! – That’s Saturday, August 9 at 6 p.m. Families, friends, all ages are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics to Maffeo Sutton Park. Come early to get your parking spot (or consider coming by bus or car-pooling) and book your 'patch' of grass; enjoy the Sea Walk, kids’ park and beach; venture along the beautiful waterfront and wander into Downtown Nanaimo and exquisite shops.

Come on down by the sea Make it a total family day followed by great entertainment, awesome music, and as always with our sensational Calvin Dyck - SURPRISES!
 
For more information visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Call: 250-754-0177
 
 
 


 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Symphony by the Sea 2014












The Hats are Back and the Guy with the Tie for
Symphony by the Sea
Saturday, August 9, 6 p.m.
Maffeo Sutton Park - Nanaimo

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - It’s a new tradition. After the huge success of last summer's concert, Calvin Dyck, violinist and director (and man of many hats) is presenting Symphony by the Sea featuring popular tenor Ken Lavigne (the guy with the tie). It’s a fantastic FREE musical variety show for the whole family (donations gratefully accepted) on Saturday, August 9 at 6 p.m. in Maffeo Sutton Park – RAIN or SHINE.
 
Ken tells a story while Calvin looks on
Say Calvin; “We were thrilled and overwhelmed with the positive response last year and want to keep the new tradition going with a summertime evening of fantastic music and entertainment.”

It’s a show to remember – From Calvin’s soaring Hot Canary, to Ken’s silky and breathtaking Bring Him Home, Symphony by the Sea is chockablock full of great music - and surprises. Calvin and Ken are joined by members of the Vancouver Island Symphony and Abbotsford Virtuosi, Flamenco guitarist Eric Harper, Nanaimo pianist Sarah Wood, dancer Charlene Hart, pianist Mel Bowker, and Caleb McIntyre on bagpipes.

The music - Says Ken; “We have a great set of popular music that we know people will enjoy.”

From Scotland the Brave to Lord of the Rings, the spine-tingling Fanfare for the Common Man with the brass section of the Vancouver Island Symphony, Neapolitan favourites with Ken and Cole Porter classics with Calvin, it’s music that everyone knows and loves.
 
Bill Robinson helps Calvin pick
the winner for the Yellow Hat
There’s more! -  Add a story or two, some poetry, surprises and audience participation (like singing along with Ken, bidding on the hat or tie, or joining in with the 1812 Overture finale - we won't give away how - you'll have to be there) - and you have a truly fun-filled show for the whole family.
 
Rain or shine! – That’s Saturday, August 9 at 6 p.m. Families, friends, all ages are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics to Maffeo Sutton Park. Come early to get your parking spot (or consider coming by bus or car-pooling) and book your 'patch' of grass; enjoy the Sea Walk, kids’ park and beach; venture along the beautiful waterfront and wander into Downtown Nanaimo and exquisite shops.

Come on down by the sea – Make it a total family day followed by great entertainment, awesome music, and as always with our sensational Calvin Dyck - SURPRISES!

For up-to-date information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com and www.harbourliving.ca. Or call 250-754-0177.

 

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

British Columbia Boys Choir sang for Nation on Canada Day 2014


 
British Columbia Boys Choir sang ‘O Canada’ for the Nation
It was a dream come true - a moment to remember - as the British Columbia Boys Choir, flanked by the Abbotsford Virtuosi violin ensemble, sang ‘O Canada’ for the Nation on Parliament Hill for Canada Day 2014.

Dressed in their blue-blazer uniform with red tie, the Choir, was arranged in a V on the slopes of the stage while images of the Canadian flag rose behind them. In front of them stood Prime-Minister Steven Harper, Governor General David Johnston, their families, dignitaries, and thousands of spectators celebrating this country’s birthday.

Conductor Tony Araujo, past recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence and of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, led the choir and ensemble in a harmonious, rousing, full-hearted version of “God Save Our Queen” followed by our National Anthem in a performance that will long be remembered not only by the performers but by many on this side of the country - in British Columbia.

While the Choir has toured and represented Canada internationally for 45 years, this is the first time they have represented their country in Ottawa, the Nation’s Capital, for the event that is celebrated by  Canadians from coast to coast – Canada Day. 

Parliament Hill is just one of the stops for the Choir on their month-long cross-Canada journey with the Abbotsford Virtuosi and their show O CANADA OUR HOME - Songs & Stories of Canada. Stops include Montreal, Ottawa, Gros Morne National Park, Cornerbrook, Sydney Mines, Lunenburg, Charlottetown, Saint John, Toronto, Stratford, Huntsville, Wawa, Neepawa, Saskatoon and Banff before venturing back home through the Rockies.

Says Executive Director, Margot Holmes, “This was a dream come true. I grew up in Ottawa - and there is no place like Parliament Hill on Canada Day!”

For more information visit: www.bcboyschoir.org