by Gillian Crowley –
Art and the Spectacled Bear
See how artists from two worlds and two cultures are working together to protect the endangered Peruvian Spectacled Bear. Spectacled Bear Conservation was able to design a 32,000-acre park – El Parque Arqueológico y Ecológico de Batán Grande – which protects a small but viable bear population. SBC hopes to one day connect the park with another local ecological protected area, creating an even wider corridor for spectacled bears. Show presented by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula. Free parking. April 17 to 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ArtSea Gallery, 9565 Fifth Street, Sidney.
Via Choralis: A Cross-Country Tour
Via Choralis will perform an all-Canadian program for Canada’s Sesquicentenary, including folk song arrangements and original compositions representing all regions of the country. To celebrate this milestone, the 30-member choir has commissioned Artistic Director and composer Nicholas Fairbank to write a new work for choir with piano. The concert will also include Canadian folk tunes performed by a fiddle duo. Tickets at Tanner’s Books or online at www.viachoralis.ca. April 23 at 2:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 Third Street, Sidney.
SPAC Spring Art Show
Over 200 local artists will showcase their creative works in the 64th annual Spring Art Show and Sale, hosted by the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society (SPAC). Perhaps find a Mother’s Day gift as you explore over 500 original works of art, including paintings, mixed media pieces, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, fibre arts and fine crafts. Meet guest artist Maria Roxborough, and discover how she creates remarkable character figures out of fabric, textures and mohair. All artwork is for sale, with prices to suit every budget. Become a SPAC Art Patron to enjoy a private reception April 28 which offers the first chance to see and purchase the art, and chat with the artists. April 29, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and April 30, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Centre. www.spacsociety.com.
Peninsula Singers Celebrate Canada
Another way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday is by singing along with the Peninsula Singers. They’ll start with O Canada, move on to First Nations’ love songs and poetry, stop along the way in the Maritimes, and then keep moving west. On this journey, the Singers will bring you music from all corners of the nation. Stalwarts such as Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and the Rankin Family’s contributions to our heritage will be recognized. In between, the Singers will include more recent contributions to the Canadian Songbook – from Tom Cochrane to Neil Young and Stompin’ Tom Connors. April 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee April 30 at
2 p.m. Mary Winspear Centre.
