Bowen Island resident and poet, Jude Neale, Vancouver Laureate poet Rachel Rose, and myself, composer and violist Thomas Beckman, will be giving a special concert on the 19th of July at the Tir Na Nog Theatre, as a dedication to the Bowen Island Public Library. As a tribute to them we will be handing over several hundred copies of a new album, composed chiefly of my own original music and with poetry by Jude and Rachel. Directly after the concert these albums will be stocked at the Library, the gallery as well as several other businesses on the island such as Cocoa West, Phoenix, Cates Medicine Pharmacy, and the Marina Union Steamship Co, for sale. Several other businesses including Zulu Records in Vancouver will also be selling the album. In this manner, sales of the album will go directly towards to the expansion costs of the library.
It is my belief that music can and ought to play a pivotal role in community life. Too often, music gets regulated to mere entertainment or made for purely egocentric purposes. But music can be so much more than this. I want music to serve and transform the community by aligning disparate groups of people along progressive trends and towards common goals. In this case, the album, once done will be at the disposal of the Bowen Island Arts Community as a means to generate an extra source of funding for the expansion of their library.
Miraculously, we have already raised the target that was set on the Indiegogo campaign to fund the album. And yet, we still have 3 weeks left. Jude and myself are now asking that people continue to contribute so that we may afford 2 more days of studio time, as well as make a direct donation to the library itself on the night of the concert.
To contribute to our Indie-Go-Go Campaign, go to Indiegogo.com and search: Music for Bowen Island Library.
