The annual 'Spirit of Solstice' concert, presented by the Bowen Island Arts Council, is back for its second year, building on its resounding success last year. It was launched on the night of the winter solstice of 2012, when a packed Cates Hill Chapel audience enjoyed performances from Deer In The Headlights, Pauline Le Bel accompanied by Teun Schut, Adam Morton, Doug Stepple with Sarah Haxby, Bob Doucet, and the Bowen Island Community Choir with their special guest Shari Ulrich. The event was derailed in the most delightful way by an unannounced visit from the Mummers.
This year the event will take place on the evening of Saturday 28th December at The Gallery @ Artisan Square, to avoid clashing with another event on the solstice itself. Our line-up includes traditional-style music from Chris Corrigan and his daughter Áine Corrigan-Frost, pianist Marc Gawthrop with one of his own compositions called 'Arts Council Boogie', talented actress Heather Hodson delivering a dramatic reading, the versatile Terry Mancini, our poet of nature Lisa Shatzky, the rich voice of Doug Stepple, and the vivacious vocal ensemble 'Once Again', featuring Lorraine Ashdown, Earl Jenkins and Cindi Keep. A particular treat will be the reading of an excerpt from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' by Tina Nielsen and Graham Ritchie. Since there will be no full performance of 'A Christmas Carol' this year, the Spirit of Solstice event will be your only chance to hear these seasoned performers evoke the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Cro Lucas and Doug Fleetham will again keep us on the rails in their roles as MC and sound man respectively. Bowen Island Arts Council is providing the venue and the volunteers; Jacqui Massey and Tina Nielsen along with musical directors Susanna Braund and Doug Stepple are the organizers.
Lorraine Ashdown says of her group, 'Once Again': "Our music features a tribute to the darkness and light of winter. We are happy to add our voices to this annual winter event as we create warm harmonies and play our favourite music of this deep and mystical season." Chris Corrigan explains his enthusiasm to participate: "I love the darkness of deep midwinter, because it makes the light that much sweeter, whether it is the sunrise on a solstice morning or a cozy and warm community event on a dark winter night."
Local musicians and organizers are donating their time and talent to creating this fundraising event in support of a performing arts space on Bowen. Please come out and support the arts and have yourselves a lovely evening in the process. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced $20 ($12 for seniors and students), are available from Phoenix and from The Gallery.
