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More Than Gold’s artistic wing, Creative and Performing Arts (CaPA), is presenting a wide variety of art forms at a number of venues in the
Greater Vancouver area this month – including a series of surprise package ‘Aha!’ concerts.
CaPA coordinator Sandy Rosen comments:
“Few of our best artists become ‘renowned.’ Gems get lost in the machinery of the ‘industry.’ Aha! means ‘expressing satisfaction or surprise.’
“There’s nothing better than finding a treasure you never knew was there. These
concerts are a surprise collection of artists of excellence – those you know, and those you’ll want to know.”
Greg Sczebel
The music of this Salmon Arm native has received Covenant Awards, a Juno Award
and a major prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Sczebel’s music also impacts fellow musicians. Carolyn Arends writes: “It’s tempting to use phrases like ‘Next Big Thing,’ but Greg Sczebel isn’t the next anything. He’s now, and his music is truly great.”
Graham Ord
Based in Kelowna, this singer/songwriter has garnered respect internationally as
a fine musician and engaging communicator. His live performances are described
as passionate and compelling. Ord has released seven solo CDs to date, as well
as several collaborative projects which have attracted kudos from around the
world. He has also written and produced music for other artists.
Fresh I.E.
Rob Wilson was once waist-deep in crime and substance abuse. He is now better
known as ‘Fresh I.E.’ (Fresh In Eternity). Since God transformed his life and revealed his purpose,
Wilson has received accolades ranging from Grammy and Juno nominations to the
Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award. He hopes to establish a centre to help young people get off the streets, by teaching them music.
Jacob Moon
Moon has recorded a number of CDs for Steve Bell’s Signpost label, and done extensive touring across North America. His CDs have
been played on stations across the country, and he has also won a number of
awards. Moon has done fundraising concerts for organizations such as Compassion
Canada, International Justice Mission, Mennonite Central Committee and Canadian
Foodgrains Bank.
Mirror Dancers
This Way is the first full-length dance production by Sarah Robertson and Maria
Schroeder, who are from the Mirror Dance Program at Langley’s Dance Barn Studio. The rest of the Mirror Dancers will be performing on stages
all around the Lower Mainland, using a diverse collection of styles – from tap and contemporary, to hip hop and comedy.
Fridays Cry
The name Fridays Cry was inspired by the moment when Jesus cried out “It is finished” from the cross. They are both a rock band and a worship group.
Fridays Cry has played with artists such as Tree 63, Kutless, Sonic Flood and
Starfield. They also play at schools, prisons, churches, conferences and summer
camps.
Gina Williams
Based in Coquitlam, this award-winning singer, songwriter and pianist has
performed for thousands of people throughout North America and overseas. She
has also made several TV and radio broadcasts, and has acted in a number of
films.
She was considered a child prodigy, and has won numerous awards as a concert
pianist. She has also written orchestral music, a string quintet and works for
solo piano.
James Popoff
This playwright’s one-man Hockey Dad is his latest play. He has also written Peddling Parables, Sackcloth and Inheritance. He has acted in Sackcloth, Mercy Killing, Prophecy of Shri and Moving Day. Popoff holds degrees in drama from the University of Calgary, where he studied
Solo Performance Creation.
He is also an instructor at Calgary’s Playhouse North School of Theatre.
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Zaac Pick
Fierce Wind is Zaac Pick’s first solo project. He is a seasoned musician and songwriter, after a
seven-year run with Vancouver band Doubting Paris.
When the group disbanded in 2008, Pick immediately set about writing his own
material, retaining the layers of meaning found in the songs he penned for the
band.
Last year, he did a small tour of Belfast, Edinburgh, Oxford and London. He has
since played venues throughout Greater Vancouver to much acclaim.
Souls Rest
Established in 2003 in Liverpool, Souls Rest recently emigrated to Vancouver and
set up a recording studio. Souls Rest began as a five-piece live band, playing
at small underground venues. Over time, the group changed shape, culminating in a
sharper and more focused sound based around traditional hip hop elements.
Having played at venues ranging from clubs to large-scale festival stages,
Souls Rest bring with them more than six years of live performance experience.
Mennonite Jazz Committee
MJC was formed late in 2001, when a number of musical relationships coalesced
into a single group – which has been playing together ever since.
Their repertoire includes standards and jazz hymn arrangements, as well as
original material. Their style is energetic, innovative and interactive.
They have played at weddings, banquets and coffeehouses, and done jazz liturgies
in church settings.
The Barnsons
Residing in White Rock, this band has garnered numerous award nominations, and
have received awards for gospel songs from the B.C. Country Music Association
and Music B.C.
Lori Barnson says: “I write about God and all the things he’s brought me through, and also about the human condition. I always want the
thread of hope and grace to weave through my songs. If I can encourage and
touch someone along the way, and make them feel they’re not alone on this journey, I’m a happy person.”
Perry and the Poorboys
Now based in Langley, this group began in San Diego as Perry and the California
Cool Rays. A key turning point came when the band agreed to visit communist
Russia.
What they experienced there challenged Perry Springman to create songs that
would touch lives, instead of merely entertaining audiences. A switch to
full-time music ministry followed – and to date, the group has played in more than 20 countries.
They have shared stages with Bob Geldoff, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys and The
77s.
Numerous other artists will be performing under the CaPA banner, at a wide
variety of venues. For up-to-date information, go to the MTG website at
morethangold.ca; click on the Opportunities menu, and go to ‘Creative & Performing Arts.’ Also, see the special Calendar listing on page 18.
February 2010
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