by Gillian Crowley –
November may be our rainiest month but there’s more than enough going on in music and arts and crafts to keep us warm.
Artisans Gift Gallery
Get your gift buying done early at this popular show of contemporary and traditional works by Island artisans. The selection is eclectic and unpredictable, including jewelry, glass, pottery, turned wood, fibre art, wearables, photography and holiday décor. Meet the artists and discover the rich and varied talents of Island artisans. Free entry. ArtSea Gallery at Tulista Park, Sidney. Ongoing to December 2, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays).
Musical Salute to Our Veterans
The Sidney Concert Band and the Saanich Peninsula Pipe Band will salute our veterans with a variety of band music, marches, vocals and stirring pipe music. A prelude to Remembrance Day. Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. November 5 at 2:30 p.m.
“Music with a Twist”
An afternoon for all ages with the Sidney Classical Orchestra performing entertaining music with extra musical programs. Listen to a goldfinch, tap along to the toys and then watch the orchestra disappear! F.J. Hayden’s Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor (The Farewell), L. Mozart’s Toy Symphony and A. Vivaldi’s Concerto for Flute in D major, Il Gardellino or The Goldfinch. Tickets at the door or in advance at Tanner’s Books, Sidney or City Scribe Printing, Brentwood Bay. St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 Third Street, Sidney. November 12 at 2:30 p.m.
The Pirates of Penzance
The Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most beloved operettas. The Pirates of Penzance combines whimsy and light-hearted satire with comical pirates and hummable tunes. Enjoy the stirring music and the iconic “Major-General’s Song.” Directed by Roger Carr with choreography by Ashley Evans and music direction by George Corwin. Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney. November 10 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. on November 11 and 12.
Under Paris Skies
Enchanteur! Fall under the spell of Edie Daponte’s rich voice in an original show this month. Edie is a local favourite as the house singer at Sidney’s Beacon Landing for over five years, and she’s also performed jazz vespers in St. John’s North Saanich and entertained at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation Galas. Under Paris Skies – La Musique de Edith Piaf combines music and entertainment inspired by Paris. With a live four-piece band Edie will perform many of the French cabaret singer’s soulful and emotional numbers: Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, La Vie en Rose, Hymne a L’Amour. Tickets at the Mary Winspear Centre. November 19 at 2 p.m., Charlie White Theatre, Sidney.
An Evening with George Mercer and Ulrike Narwani
Continue the buzz from September’s Literary Festival by listening to readings by two local authors whose exciting adventures are reflected in their works. Ulrike Narwani and her husband co-wrote a memoir, Above the Beaten Path, about their adventures flying a single-engine light plane into remote corners of the world. At the reading Ulrike will also dip into Collecting Silence, her debut volume of poetry. Joining her is George Mercer who worked across Canada as a national park warden for more than three decades. His passion for parks and protected area is reflected in his fiction series Dyed in the Green which also weaves mystery and suspense throughout. Proceeds go to support the 2019 Sidney & Peninsula Literary Festival. Tickets at Tanner’s Books, Sidney or online at sidneyliteraryfestival.ca. November 24 at 7 p.m. Shoal Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney.
The Young’Uns
Just one chance locally to see Teeside’s trio, The Young’Uns, who currently hold the coveted “Best Group” title bestowed by BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards two years in a row. Engaging and heartwarming, these lads write and perform a cappella or play subtly accompanied songs that reflect current times alongside traditional songs from their native Northeast England. Presented by the Deep Cove Folk Music Society. Mary Winspear Centre, November 23, 7:30 p.m.
Peninsula Singers
Christmas Joy concert at the Mary Winspear Centre. December 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and December 3 at 2 p.m.
