by Gillian Crowley –
“If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance.” ~ Bern Williams
Celebrate June’s beauty and romance by enjoying music and art on the Peninsula. You won’t want to miss a moment of it.
Spring Studio Tour
What better way to get to know the Peninsula’s artists than through this free self-guided tour of more than 35 artists in their studios and other venues. Learn what inspires them and observe their various techniques. New venues this year are de Vine Vineyards and Spirits and McTavish Academy of Art, host to several different artists. Immerse yourself in the visual arts as you explore the Peninsula. Brochure with map available at Tulista Gallery, Sidney and other locations on the Saanich Peninsula. June 4 and 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wine & Classical Music
The talented Eine Kleine Summer Music group will play at the Muse Winery again this year in their romantic garden patio setting. In the first program they’ll perform Mozart’s Horn Quintet in E flat major, Brahms’ Piano Quartet Op 26, the Shostakovich Piano Trio, Op 8 No. 1 and Alana Despins will play Strauss’ Nocturno Op. 7 for Horn and Piano. The other players include Terence Tam, violin; Kenji Fuse and Kay Cochrane, viola; Laura Backstrom, cello; and Lorraine Min, piano. In the second program, the group will perform Rachmaninoff’s Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor, Ravel’s String Quartet in F major and Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor. Both programs are repeated at the Unitarian Church. Tickets: www.eksm.ca/tickets/. June 4 and 18, 2:30 p.m., Muse Winery, 11195 Chalet Road and June 5 and 19, 2:30 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 5575 West Saanich Road.
More Music with the Layfayette Quartet
The internationally-renowned Lafayette String Quartet, now in its 29th year, will perform one of the best-loved chamber works of all time: Dvorak’s American Quartet full of folksy personality. Other works on the program: Haydn’s Op 33, No 5 and Shostakovich’s 7th String Quartet. At de Vine Vineyards, enjoy a magical summer evening overlooking grapevines, an orchard and a panoramic ocean view. Musicians: Ann Elliott-Goldschmid and Sharon Stanis, violin; Joanna Hood, viola; Pamela Highbaugh Aloni, cello. Tickets www.eksm.ca/tickets
June 10, 6 p.m. at de Vine Vineyards, 6181 Old West Saanich Road and June 12, 2:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church.
New Sidney Jazz Series
The owners of Peninsula Music Academy, Lloyd and Diana English and son Myles, have started an intimate jazz series on Friday evenings featuring local jazz musicians. Lloyd, an accomplished guitarist, often joins the guest trio or quartet with his son Myles, also on guitar. Upcoming artists: June 10: Monik Nordine, described as “one of Canada’s unique treasures,” is a freelance saxophonist and composer in the jazz genre. She currently leads the Victoria Jazz Orchestra and teaches at The Victoria Conservatory of Music. June 17: Edie Daponte Quartet: Emotive and passionate, Edie’s voice lends itself perfectly to a wide range of jazz standards, seamlessly moving from jazz to bossa nova and switching between English, Portuguese, Spanish and French numbers with ease. Fridays, 7 to 8:15 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney. Suggested $10 donation.
Deep Cove Folk Club
Denise Withnell, David Wilkie and Norm MacPherson will get your feet a-tapping with Western swing and cowgirl music. Denise, a member of the Cowboy Celtic Band, inherited a strong musical background from her family and her artistic education that ranges from piano to guitar, and chorale singing to dance. June 10 at St. John’s United Church, North Saanich. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., tickets at the door.
