by Gillian Crowley –
Tam Plays Sibelius
Hear Terence Tam soar through the haunting and passionate Violin Concerto of Sibelius. Currently concertmaster of the Victoria Symphony, Tam is also an active chamber player who performs internationally. Included in the Victoria Symphony’s program is a world premiere by Jeffrey Ryan, inspired by Canadian poet Patrick Lane’s poem Water. Royal Theatre, Victoria. February 4 at 8 p.m. and February 5 at 2:30 p.m.
Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane Read in Sidney
Speaking of Patrick Lane, you can hear his poetry and that of his partner, poet Lorna Crozier, as they share their newest works in a reading that supports the 2017 Sidney Literary Festival. Both well-respected poets are winners of Governor-General awards for their poetry and we are fortunate they have made their home on the Peninsula. Learn more about them in an article on page 30. All proceeds will support the upcoming fall Literary Festival. Tickets at Tanner’s Books or online at www.sidneyliteraryfestival.ca. Shoal Centre Auditorium, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney. February 10 at 7 p.m.
Via Choralis: Viva Vivaldi
Joyous music awaits in this winter choral concert. Via Choralis, together with a string orchestra, will perform settings of the Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi and Canadian composer Jeff Enns. Also on the program will be Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with guest violin soloist Nelly Tian. Currently in Grade 12, Tian has served as concert-mistress and performed solo roles with both the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and the Victoria Conservatory of Music Senior Orchestra. Recently she starred as a soloist at the Victoria Splash. Via Choralis is a mixed-voice auditioned community chamber choir based on the Saanich Peninsula and led by Nicholas Fairbank. St. Elizabeth Church, 10030 Third Street, Sidney. February 18 and 19; both concerts at 2:30 p.m.
Robert Bateman Centre: Boxed Sanctuary
Don’t miss the Centre’s collection of local artists’ work as they explore their personal expression of “sanctuary.” This exhibit is a precursor to the Robert Bateman Centre’s 2017 Urban Sanctuary Project – the 100-year celebration of the Migratory Bird Sanctuary spanning the Inner Harbour to Esquimalt Lagoon. More at www.batemancentre.org. February 1 through 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Celtic Tenors
Enjoy all your favourites from Ireland’s Celtic Tenors, a popular crossover trio who perform a mix of classical music, opera, traditional Celtic songs, folk, and pop. The group has its origins in a vocal ensemble called the Three Irish Tenors, who performed on radio and television of Ireland’s Theatre Nights program in the mid-’90s. You’ll have a night to remember as The Celtic Tenors perform a sparkling, good-humoured concert with familiar songs like Danny Boy and classics such as Nessun Dorma. Mary Winspear Centre, February 28 and March 1, both at 7:30 p.m.
Bryan Bowers
For over four decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. You’ll enjoy instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism. Beginning as a street singer, Bowers has become a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter with an engaging stage presence. Presented by the Deep Cove Folk Club. Tickets at the door. St. John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road. February 10 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30).
