Outdoor Stage
Gabriola is home to many award-winning musical artists, some of whom will perform on the Outdoor Stage throughout the weekend. From Afriola to SSVelte, there's something here for everyone!
All events are Free!
Heartsong Women's Choir
Friday, 6pm
Heartsong Women’s Choir is a non-audition community choir who sings for and in joy. The women practice singing in harmony and find they create harmony. Their zest and enjoyment in singing together is infectious and uplifting.
Afriola
West African style Dancing and Drumming
Saturday, 10am
Drawn together through their love of African Music, Gabriola Island's Afriola is always a crowd pleaser performing the exciting rhythms and dances of West Africa.
Parks & Rec Skit
with Kathryn Sobko
Saturday, 11am
Kathryn enjoys working with children and is currently the Manager of the Middle Years Program at The Gathering Place Child and Youth Care Centre on Gabriola. Kathryn has performed as a clown at many different functions over the years, including parades, festivals, hospitals, and parties. She has incorporated her clowning into workshops to teach clowning and drama principles to local kids. Kathryn teaches a drama summer camp through Gabriola Parks and Recreation and will be presenting a skit on the open stage with this group at this year's Theatre Festival. In addition, Kathryn was this year's organizer for a local talent competition for children called Gabriola's Got Talent! Jr. Edition, and will be bringing the winners of this competition to the open stage at this year's Theatre Festival.
Tami Blazer
Tami is a singer, song writer, actor, and has been a Gabriola resident for
the past 7 years. She is passionate about the arts and is looking forward to
having another great year with the Gabriola Theatre Festival. You can check
out some of her original songs at my space, bornlucky_tamiblazer. Tami's CD
is also available on request by writing to her at tami_blazer@yahoo.ca.
Bob Bossin
Photo: Suzanne Kimpan
"Only a handful of song writers have created a body of work that constitutes a portrait of our country,” says Stuart Mclean. "Stan Rogers did that. So did Gordon Lightfoot. And so does Bob Bossin.” Bob is a legendary figure in Canadian folk music: founder of Stringband, pioneer of indie recording, with a dozen albums behind him and songs covered by the likes of Pete Seeger, Valdy and Ian Tyson. His last CD, The Roses on Annie’s Table received rave reviews. In January, 2006, a standing-room-only crowd at Vancouver’s St. James Community Square honoured Bob on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Evelyn Cereno and Antonio Gradanti
This newly formed duo has sparked a creativity of original music that
touches the heart and speaks to the listener. With the roots of
inspiration stemming from country music, their songs have layers of
soulful vocals, beautiful harmonies and storylines that take the
audience on a journey of their own. Since this duo are also partners
in life, they write about the truths of love, hurt, hopes and fears
that we are we all experience. A storytellers intimate performance.
Contraband Swing Club
Tina Jones has a genuine love for music and it shows in her performances and her approach to writing and teaching. Fronting many bands including the kooky kids music group The Kerplunks, the stage provides an obvious base for her natural vocal charisma and performance presence. On stage and in the recording studio, she has the ability to execute breathtaking vocal performances along with adept improvisational abilities on trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone and piano. She brings a fresh point of view as an early childhood educator and private voice teacher. From playing solo in coffee houses to full-band appearances on music festival main-stages, her reputation as an entertainer, recording artist, educator and songwriter are recognized throughout Canada's eclectic music scene.
As a performer for the last 13 years, Dinah D has seen a lot of road, a lot of faces and a lot of backstage greenrooms. With one foot in the Blues/Swing genre the other in Soundscape/Folk/Bluegrass/Poetry/Experimental; she has been a busy gal. Other projects keeping Dinah D on the go are: soundscape composition to silent film, performance poetry + storytelling (accompanying herself on Upright Bass), and some very grand Community Collaboration Projects. All this complimenting her already established solo Vocal and Upright Bass career.
Dinah D and Tina Jones front a very fun band called Dinah D's Contraband Swingclub. Come see the gals perform some favorites as a duet. The Contraband Swingclub will be playing on Saturday August 21st at Silva Bay, 9pm!!
Visit their websites to learn more about Gabriola’s dynamic duo:
http://dinahd.com/
http://www.tinajonesmusic.com/
http://thekerplunks.com/
Tim Harrison
Tim Harrison is one of Canada's finest singers and songwriters on the folk music landscape today. His poignant themes and vivid images reveal him as a storyteller of our time, an archetypal traveller singing with compassion and hope.
Tim's debut on the folk scene was the release of his album "Train Going East", produced by folk legend Stan Rogers and engineered by Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan). He performed throughout Canada and the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, and was actively involved in promoting folk music during this time as a radio host, concert promoter and as artistic director of various festivals across the country (Summerfolk (founder), Mariposa Folk Festival, Northwinds, Eaglewood Folk Festival).
Tim is a consummate performer known for his compelling singing, stellar guitar-work and commanding stage presence. His delightful wit and uncanny knack for storytelling make him an audience favourite.
Learn more about Tim and purchase his CDs at http://www.timharrison.ca.
Kathy McIntyre & Chris Jans
Kathy McIntyre is well known around the island for her song stylings and acting abilities. From Motown to Cabaret, her voice and humour have thrilled many. Together with newcomer to the island music scene, Chris Jans, she will once again amuse and entertain with a collection of campy and fun tunes for all.
And, as a special added bonus, chanteuse Tina Jones will add her voice to Kathy’s and Chris’ in some beautiful and stirring three-part harmony a cappella tunes.
Shipley and Gradanti
This duo features Antonio Gradanti on acoustic guitar and Brad Shipley
on mandolin, showcasing complex arrangements of instrumental music
from countries such as: Italy, Brazil, Russia and Cuba. Within this
mix you'll find Classical, American Swing Jazz, Blue Grass, Celtic and
Folk.
Brad's mandolin sings sweet refrains over Antonio's resonant and
sophisticated fingerstyle technique. They have played together for
over five years and have developed an inuitive, musical telepathy.
This makes for an effortless exchange and a dynamic evening of
intricate melodies.
Penny Sidor
photo: David Tyler
Penny Sidor is a singer, songwriter, counsellor, facilitator and cleaning lady. She has lived on Gabriola Island for 12 years, enjoys her garden, renovating her cabin, birdwatching and is in charge of a delightfully neurotic dog named Loki. In 2007, she released a CD, entitled Days of August, which showcases her songs, and a range of vocal styles including folk, rock and blues. As one of the island's 'characters', Penny is often called to sing, host and MC local events. She's a hoot.
Visit Penny’s website at www.pennysidor.ca to learn more about her music and to purchase her CD.
SSVelte
Take three professionals musicians from wildly divergent backgrounds, mix them together and you get Sassy, Smooth, Vibrant harmonies, a.k.a. SSVelte - Steve, Steve, Vivian, (Elegant, Lovable, Talented, Extraordinary?) which will have you humming along and looking for more. Steve Smith, jazz pianist extraordinaire; Steve Elder, original tunes, sultry voice and guitar with a breezy California feel; and Vivian Hart, who provides warm mezzo vocals that knit it all together.
SSVelte had their debut performance in 2008 at Gabriola’s “Concert On The Green”. The ‘Flying Shingle’ said, “As for Ssvelte, which opened for ABBA Cadabra, I predict this new group will go far. The blend between Steve Elder‘s crisp rich vocals, and Vivian Hart’s beautiful warmly rounded mezzo soprano voice was absolutely captivating. Both Steve Elder (guitar) and Steve Smith (keyboards) played with professional aplomb, and the arrangement of the tunes was wonderful.” Since then, SSVelte has performed at Concert On The Green in 2009, a variety of local venues, fundraisers, and last year’s Theatre Festival as well as in Nanaimo.
STEVE ELDER studied music at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Studio Guitar. Steve has worked as a studio musician and songwriter in Los Angeles for many years, and has been primarily in two bands, Elderlocke for 25 years and The Steve Elder Band for seven years. Steve now sings baritone with the Gabriola Chamber Ensemble, the Gabriola Barbershop Quartet with Bob Bossin, and plays guitar for Classical Twist and the Island Singers.
STEVE SMITH has worked principally in Toronto playing in the pit orchestras for theatrical presentations like Phantom of the Opera, Cats, The Lion King, and Showboat. He most recently has done touring work in the United States & Canada, playing for the North American Tours of Rogers & Hammersteins Showboat, and George Gershwin's Crazy For You. He loves to play jazz, pop & latin keyboard styles and is happy to say he now resides on Gabriola. You can catch him playing jazz piano at Raspberry's most Sunday afternoons.
VIVIAN HART studied voice in Winnipeg, and holds an Associate Degree in Vocal Performance, with further studies in Sacred Music/Oratorio. She has performed with Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, Manitoba Opera, and in Ottawa with Cantata Singers, Orpheus Operatic Society and the NAC opera under Mario Bernardi. Vivian sings with Gabriola Island Singers, and has performed with the Gabriola Chamber Ensemble, Western Edge Theatre, Gabriola Players, and the vocal duo, Classical Twist.
Gabriola's Got Talent! Jr Edition
The Gathering Place is pleased to present the winners of the Second annual Gabriola's Got Talent! Jr edition competition (held in May of 2010). We are thrilled to showcase some of Gabriola's up-and-coming talent at the Theatre Festival. Free
The talented duo of Alex Swift-Scott on saxophone, and his younger brother Isaac Swift-Scott on drums are the first place winners in the older age category (10 to 13 years).
In second place is a trio of acapella singers, Bella Dominelli, Krissy Higgins, and Bailey Antal
Third place winner Jasmine Brenner will entertain with gymnastics moves that she’s woven into a dance.
In the younger age category (9 and under) first place winner Ian Perry will wow you with his talent on the electric guitar.
Karis Jorgensen and Finlea Watson claimed second prize in the competition and will present their winning song.
Jeremy Reynolds will perform the freestyle dance that won his third place award.
Acoustic Jam
Sunday, 4:30