Past Events
A Live Electronic Music Showcase
Sunday, March 31, 3:00 – 7:00 pm
with talks and performances by
- Jaq Taforo + Aurelien Sudan
- Nella Banner
- thisissami
- tpwtr
A wonderful afternoon of live electronica presentations by five very talented and inspired artists. The event started with a slow tempo and revved to upbeat – you should definitely bring your dance shoes! This all inclusive event was good time for eastshore families and children. A fun time event.
Recital with Natasha Hall Violin
and Yoomi Kim Piano
Sunday, March 17, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Canadian violinist Natasha Hall and pianist, conductor, and composer Yoomi Kim gave a stunning performance to a packed house at the Harrison. Those in attendance were treated one of the most inspired concerts that our Eastshore community has ever experienced. Thanks to our anonymous donor – and the virtuoso players – for an unforgettable afternoon of amazing music.
A Valentine’s Extravaganza
A Celebration of Love
Sunday, February 11, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
Celebrating this time of love and connection featuring heartfelt performances from a variety of fine local Eastshore artists and writers … a wonderful opportunity to hear what our neighbours have been creating!
Youth Collaborative Mural Project
Saturday, February 10, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Lower Kootenay Youth and artConnect invite everyone in our community collaborate on a mural project commenmorating our lakes, lands and waterways which play a significant role in Ktunaxa Creation story and life.
Let’s create something beautiful together!
Tamar Ilana & Ventanas
Monday, January 29, 6:30 pm
A fabulous evening of flamenco, Sephardic and Balkan music and dance from this six-piece Toronto-based world music ensemble, fronted by the powerhouse vocalist and dancer Tamar Ilana. Our audience was taken down the less travelled paths of the Mediterranean, contemporary interpretations of ancient ballads, original compositions and new choreographies. We will be looking forward to an encore performance next time these artists come through the Kootenays!
Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 17, 5-8pm
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
Our Community was treated a warm and song-filled evening celebrating the season with song and cheer, friends and community in addition to the raffled art print by renowned Canadian artist Heather Cooper!
Serenity Fest
Sunday, November 26 4-10pm
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
An event promoting peace and solace, relaxation recharging and inspiration … free sessions to help detox from life’s stresses.
DJ and dance.
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Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, Nov 29 4:00 pm
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
The past two years have shown that there is indeed enthusiasm to have live music, theatre, and art coming to our neighbourhood, and we have been able to showcase a high calibre of entertainment. Gradually our audience has grown, along with our awareness of what needs to happen to make the former church a warm, inviting, and comfortable venue.
There has been a lot of work done by the current board to bring in performances, access grant monies, and take care of building upkeep and improvements. We are grateful to also have several volunteers that take on particular tasks on a regular basis.
The Harrison has been added as an RDCK Heritage site, and was also listed on the CBT Cultural tour this year. Expertise and assistance in pursuing more recognition would be helpful. It is a beautiful building and we are fortunate as a community to have it as a place to connect, inspire, and enjoy.
We encourage our community to join with us to create a lively and promote this thriving art-focused society … we are always open to new members.
Saturday Oct 7 @ 7:00 PM
Lucas Myers
The truly variable Lucas Myers is a talent that encapsulates the importance of local performing arts and theatre. He creates unique stage comedy performances that capture his artistry and his passion as a live theatrical dramatist in the ‘humour comedy’ subgenre. Lucas Myers is a consummate performer, playwright, comic and a storyteller, all in one.
He has a skilled ability to weave Wes Anderson like narratives and subject matter, through a realm that rests between uncomfortably funny coupled with a human vulnerability, and wittingly transports his audiences into an array of multi-dimensional character sub-sets that form his unique one man shows.
The Harrison Memorial was packed … and our Eastshore audience was treated to an evening of good old belly-laugh aches by this premier comedian. Altogether a fine evening …
Friday Sept 22 @ 7:00 PM
Peach & Quiet
with special guest Wherzpeter
Another beautiful Canadian reality, that comes from the scenic landscapes of British Columbia, is the duo called Peach & Quiet, formed by Heather Read and Jonny Miller. Their performance left our audience with that nice feeling of warmth and familiarity, like that smell of coffee and toast in the morning that you know all too well but never get tired of. They performed selections from their new album, Beautiful Thing as well as songs from their previous record Just Beyond the Shine.
Special guest Wherzpeter opened with their intimate and quirky songs featuring the wordsmithing of Mary Livingstone paired with the melodic guitar styling of Paul Winfield.
Wednesday Aug 9 @ 7:00 PM
Gabriel Palatchi
Gabriel Palatchi is a true musical visionary whose talent knows no bounds. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he has carved out a distinctive place in the global music scene with his inspired compositions and virtuosic performances. His music is a unique blend of Latin rhythms, jazz, tango, funk, and world music influences, resulting in a sound that is uniquely his own. Gabriel’s live performances are breathtaking. His charismatic energy radiates from the stage, captivating audiences and drawing them into his musical world. He is a true musical explorer, finding inspiration in the diverse cultures, landscapes and people he encounters travelling the world and create a rich tapestry of sounds that reflect the myriad influences he absorbs along his journey.
We’re hoping for a repeat performance in the near future!
Sunday July 16 @ 7:00 PM
Julio Flores
Julio Flores – guitarist, arranger, composer and educator from San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico., he has been influenced by guitarists from different traditions such as Jorge Cardoso, Pat Martino, and Miguel Aceves Mejia. As a performer, he has toured the Mexican Republic and abroad visiting countries such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, and various countries in latin america. His recording credits feature him as a guitarist on 9 albums, including his 2017 release with the Flores Ramos Calderon Trio that features three of his original compositions. Currently he is an adjunct professor at UNICACH (University of Science and Arts of Chiapas) in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas teaching advanced rhythm concepts, harmony & arranging, experimental jazz workshop and jazz guitar.
The audience was treated to a fabulous show.
Friday June 30 @ 7:00 PM
Bardic Form / The Spaniard
Acoustic Uprising Tour
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
Justin and Reece are Bardic Form, an award-winning acoustic progressive flamenco metal group from Edmonton who blend traditional acoustic folk, Latin, melodic metal, and classical music into a high energy and unparalleled performance, truly different and unforgettable.
David Jay – “The Spaniard” – is a self-taught, virtuosic, instrumental guitarist based in Edmonton. Jay has combined his love for metal, classical, flamenco, and avant-garde folk into beautiful hybrid pieces, perfecting his use of a live looping pedal to create tense and beautiful soundscapes as a one-man guitar orchestra.
The Harrison was packed and rockin’! We’ll be getting these gentlemen back for an encore performance!
Saturday June 10, 6:30 PM
3 Great Sopranos
Noemi Kiss, Kathleen Neudorf, Malaika Horswill
with pianist Christoph Martens
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre
16074 Crawford Creek Road, Crawford Bay
These three sopranos draw on different musical styles, from classical, contemporary classical, to folk and jazz. They do songs from Wailin’ Jennys, Mountain Man, Moira Smiley, and weave their harmonies into a gorgeous musical fabric, some a cappella, some accompanied by the skillful piano of Christoph Martens. Our Eastshore audience was enthralled with these beautiful, engaging and emotionally stirring songs.
Saturday May 20, 7:30 PM
Night Howl
Night Howl is a six-piece festival dance band from Edmonton, Alberta, with a Latin and swing flair. Their shows are energetic and dynamic with a dark and witchy festival aesthetic, covered in sparkles. Inspired by bands such as Diablo Swing Orchestra, Murder by Death, Souljazz Orchestra, and Buena Vista Social Club, their music aims to captivate audiences and fill dance floors. Passion, groovy percussion, and haunting melody inspire the hips to move and the whiskey to flow.
Sunday May 14, 1-4 PM
Silent Auction and Giant Rummage Sale
A FUNDRAISER FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE HARRISON MEMORIAL
TENTS – FOOD – LIVE MUSIC
Our mission: to keep this beautiful heritage building as a community asset, hopefully for another hundred years.
SILENT AUCTION items include fabulous works of art; donations from community artisans; gift certificates for restaurant meals, wellness, and golf; tools, and many other treasures.
THE RUMMAGE SALE will take place outside and will have something for everyone!
Sunday April 30 at 4:00 pm
Classical Guitarist
EMMA RUSH
Emma Rush is passionate about bringing classical music to unusual spaces, and bringing unusual music to classical spaces. She regularly tours rural, remote, and other communities where live music experiences are rare. Her concerts are intimate and engaging and feature rarely heard historical works, little-known gems of the Latin American guitar repertoire, folkloric music from around the world, and, always, music by female composers.
Over the past decade, Emma Rush has established herself as one of Canada’s preeminent classical guitarists. Emma has recently appeared in the McMichael Gallery’s Group of Seven Guitar Project documentary alongside such notable guitarists as Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Cook, and Don Ross. Known for her innovative programming and powerful stage presence, along with her warm sound and virtuosic technique, an event with Emma Rush is one to remember.
Sunday April 16 at 4 pm
An Unconventional Life
with Lynn van Deursen & Noemi Kiss
After a very successful debut in April 2018 and multiple subsequent performances throughout the West Kootenay region, “An Unconventional Life”, an inspiring musical drama about a young Jewish woman who challenges the status quo, is returns to the stage!
The play examines gender inequality and what it means to challenge boundaries set by society; and one young woman’s journey to find her way in a male dominated world without losing herself.
Imagine a time when girls were denied a formal education. When they were supposed to stay home, learn the skills of a home maker, get married and raise a family. Imagine if a young girl wanted more for herself. “An Unconventional Life” is the story about such a girl.
Sunday March 26 at 2 pm
Guitarist Nikko Forsberg
Nikko is a Nelson based jazz guitar player recognised for his unique arrangements, not only in performance, but in composition and innovation. He plays jazz standards in a modern and daring way, while still paying homage to the traditions of the great jazz masters. With his unique intimate vocal style, and his accomplished guitar arrangements, he tests the boundaries of harmonic and melodic improvisation. Wheteher it’s a burning bossa nova or a crushing ballad, Nikko will take you to a place where love and heartbreak meet: the magical land of jazz.
Saturday February 4th, 2023
Katrina Kadoski & Friends
Soul Anthems album release concert
Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre.
Katrina Kadoski, a Vancouver Island based singer / songwriter / playright / poet and local duo Wherzpeter (Mary Livingstone & Paul Winfield) staged a wonderful performance of poetic and heartfelt original tunes replete with 3 part harmonies and tasty guitar interplay.
Katrina’s voice was in top form, showcasing music from her latest album Soul Anthems, as well as songs from her multimedia presentation Mountain Myths.
The evening was pure magic for the local audience in attendance.
Another successful concert from artConnect!
Saturday December 3
Cam Penner &
Patrick Alexandre
featuring Morgan Rael
An intimate concert of John Prine tunes and stories by legendary Kootenay performers Cam Penner, Patrick Alexandre and Morgan Rael including bonus cameo appearances from locals Chloe and Howling Dan … a heartfelt tribute to one of the great songwriters of our time and fine way to conclude ArtConnect’s 2022 Concert Series!
Thursday November 17, 2022
Howling Dan
with Velle Huscroft Weitman
Local legend Howling Dan treated ArtConnect audience to an acoustic performance, sharing his melodic and folky-bluesy song-writing skills that most of us have not seen … a tender and heartfelt performance and a wonderful evening of song, with fabulous fiddling and sweet vocal harmonies from Creston’s own Velle Huscroft … all in all, a fine evening’s entertainment!
Friday October 21, 2022
The Doggone Brothers
Friday night the audience at the Harrison were treated to the homey, approachable, irreverent, and uplifting music of the Doggone Brothers.
Their set of originals and hillbilly cover tunes is distinctly “grassy, with a dash of old country and a side of old-time music” and the cheeky banter, tasty harmonies, and all-in stage presence held our attention from the opening notes to the last laugh.
Be sure to catch the Doggone Brothers next time they’re in town … it was a doggone good time!
Sunday October 9th, 2022
Noemi Kiss, David Restivo, Don MacDonald
This powerful combo of three exceptional, highly accomplished musicians presented a fabulous tribute to Michel Legrand to a packed house!
The timeless beauty of Legrand’s music combined with the talents of Noemi Kiss and her beautiful voice, David Restivo, one of Canada’s top jazz pianists and composer/violinist Don MacDonald had our audience spellbound from the opening chord to the last note in this unforgettable performance.
Saturday Sept 24th, 2022
Thomas P Radcliffe
Featured Performer Thomas P Radcliffe dazzled the Coffee House audience with his incredible finger style guitar skills.
His music resonated magnificently throughout the Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre. Like many an accomplished artist before him, Thomas marvelled at beautiful sound quality of artconnect’s heritage venue. His uplifting messages came across intimately, as he wandered down the aisles playing and singing from the heart his songs of peace, and encouraging us to sing along in traditional Folk Music fashion.
Each tune ended with a smile and his signature peace sign gesture. Players in the crowd immediately understood why Thomas is fondly referred to as a “musician’s musician” all across the continent.
ArtConnect’s 7th Coffee House was lucky indeed to feature Thomas P Radcliffe and we wish him well as he tours back to Vancouver Island.
Saturday August 27th, 2022
Peach & Quiet
A peach of an evening was had by all, for August 27th’s sixth ArtConnect Coffee House. Travelling all the way from Pender Island – where the music never sleeps – Peach & Quiet served up a slice of heaven, with songs from their first album Just Beyond the Shine, and their soon to be released collection of originals, Beautiful Thing. They brought with them one of Nelson’s finest guitarists, Rylan Kewen.
Heather and Jonny are love in song – at once gentle, intimate, trusting, connected, patient and poetic. Listeners reflexively held their hands to their hearts as they opened to a delicious balance: Heather’s perfectly ripened vocals alongside Jonny’s gentle melodic growl. These are two profoundly gifted songwriters, their love lyrics enhanced by Jonny’s tender electric touch. Rylan Kewen’s guitar mastery accentuated the love with striking sensitivity.
Like every Coffee House Feature Act to date, Heather and Jonny loved the acoustically rich ambience at the Harrrison Memorial Cultural Centre. Their generosity satiated us, yet we won’t resist a second helping of Peach and Quiet, coming in 2023!
Sunday August 14th, 2022
Cougar Annie Tales
Katrina Kadowski
Award-winning Vancouver Island singer-songwriter and playwright Katrina Kadowski presented her one-woman musical play to the Harrison Memorial Cultural Centre on Sunday. With agile use of shadow screens, historic film archives, authentic props, set, and costume, along with Nightgirl’s lighting and technical support, Kat Kadowski’s script led to multi-instrumental song interludes, culminating in an important historic Canadian biography.
Cougar Annie Tales held the Harrison audience rapt as it tenderly brought to life the Vancouver Island settler best known as Cougar Annie, and the hardships of her remarkable pioneer life. Cougar Annie cleared and worked remote acres of unsettled land, gave birth to eleven children, operated a post office and a general store, supplied seeds and bulbs by mail-order, and shot dozens of cougars in her 97 years!
Cougar Annie Tales met with such audience enthusiasm that we’ve issued a standing invitation for Kat to come back! Stay tuned …
Tuesday August 9th, 2022
Chill ‘n’ Go
Big thank you to all of our members who ventured out on a Tuesday night to be part of the absolutely amazing event with the members of Antidoping!
It was a very hot night and the music as hot as a Mexican chilli sauce. Starting with a slower, cooler jazz the music got hotter as the night progressed … so chairs got moved aside and room was made for “swaying” which became dancing before long.
The Harrison was full of vibrant happy energy! Audiences hung out with the band and the general feeling was of family and happiness. At the end, there was some spontaneous jamming with local musicians.
It was an unforgettable summer night full of fun and magic!
Monday August 1st, 2022
Kurt Lowen
Kurt Loewen, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist and former member of The Tequilla Mocking Bird Orchestra, played his ballad-style folk to a full house. It was a fine evening of stories and tunes.
Thanks to the Starbelly board for bringing Kurt Lowen to our community!
Saturday July 23rd, 2022
Gratitude Festival
ArtConnect co-sponsored event with organizers WILLPOWER1:30 Threewheeler | 3:00 Sam Hurrie | 4:30 The Bats
6:00 Zabel Trio | 7:30 High as Mountains
9:00 The Arcane Garden
The Acoustic Stage (aka the Gyspy Stage)
4:00 Lisi Sommer & Caleb Hunt | 5:30 Andrew Caron
7:00 Reghan Ottenson | 8:30 Greg Lostracco
Saturday July 2nd, 2022
The Way They Came
A truly gifted performance by a truly gifted creative.
Saturday June 25th, 2022
Diemm
For Crawford Bay’s 4th Coffee House on June 25th, ArtConnect presented a stellar encore performance from Kaslo’s treasured singer-songwriter, harper and poet, Diemm. Music’s power to align and illuminate was in full bloom, as Diemm laced her profound poetry into her riveting harp compositions. Thoughtful prose delivered in deft, dramatic layers. Thank you, Diemm for an exceptional evening that we’ll remember fondly …
For more on Diemm, check out her website at https://www.diemm.ca/
Praise for Diemm:
“Diemm has the incredible ability to discuss heavy, sad, or even complicated topics in a manner that makes them sound light.” ~ Alana Ballantyne, Two Story Mel-ody.
“Diemm sings a lot of otherworldly melodies that sound as if they might’ve been inspired by Indian ragas or Punjabi folk songs. And the spoken word pieces work because Diemm is a truly expressive raconteur.” ~ Roots Music Canada
Saturday June 11th, 2022
Zabel Trio
What a lovely night with Zabel Trio at the helm of this wonderful night of music! We lovely this local trio and hope to have them fill this church again in the future!
Saturday May 28th, 2022
The Wilds
B.C.’s peerless Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright – known and loved as The Wilds – infused our third Coffee House with an energetic buoyancy that had us all humming, snapping, tapping and clapping in a rhythmic eco – echo! The evening flew by as folks smiled, laughed, danced and sang along with Holly’s & Kevin’s lush vocal harmonies and magnificently matched, incomparable instrumentals of keyboard, cajon and dulcimer. If the call of The Wilds is to have the best possible time rockin’ out for our planet, mission accomplished!
Audience members are still commenting on The Wilds’ high calibre of talent and purposeful delivery. Carrying the messages, “Chowiyes” (rise up!) and “Xwithet” (wake up!), Holly & Kevin wholeheartedly embody quality music, ecology, education, entertainment and action. Let us keep their songs in our hearts and on our minds as we protect and stand for the earth, sea and sky!
You’ll find music and more from The Wilds at:
www.VoicesOfNature.ca
www.ArtistResponseTeam.com
www.TheWildsBand.com
Sunday May 8th, 2022
Two Sopranos & Piano
in a special Mothers’ Day Concert
What an enchanting evening of beautiful vocals and lovely piano accompaniment to celebrate mothers in every form! Glad you all could join us!
Saturday April 23rd, 2022
Garuda
Garuda’s performance was worship worthy! The rhythm was uncompromising: Ferdy Belland’s fingers blurred, weaving his wondrous 7-string bass tones into the vehement drum drive of Jason Deatherage. Steve Pierson’s stunning Indian sitar brought in a vibrant element of surprise, and harmonic vocals by Steve and Ferdy completed Garuda’s meteoric sound.
If you missed them this time, fear not! Garuda appreciated the sonic resonance of Harrison Cultural Centre, and promised to return. Until then, don’t miss their online album Sacred; it lives up to its name.
Saturday April 9th, 2022
Patrick Alexandre
We all gathered in the historic venue for a sold out show and a lively evening of Roots, Blues, Country, + Rock & Roll, from Gray Creek’s own Juno nominated Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist Patrick Alexandre! Joined by special guest Morgan Rael on guitar for a few songs and guitar tuning comedy act. Truly an event we hope you did not miss!
Saturday March 26th, 2022
Sam Hurrie
Sam launched ArtConnect‘s Inaugural Coffee House into orbit with his inimitable combination of smooth voice and masterful guitar, for March’s premiere Featured Act.
The Open Stage saw a stylish keyboard performance by Rebecca Fuzzen, a few tunes by Wherzpeter, and a welcome surprise appearance by local greats, the Zabel Trio. THANKS to all who joined us for this rich debut experience!
You’ll want to save the 4th Saturday night of every month for the ArtConnect Coffee House Music Nights!
Saturday March 12th, 2022
Diemm
Ethereal chamber folk. Crystalline vocals, lyrics like arrows. Poetry that tugs you into the liminal place between conscious and subconscious mind.
To entertain is one thing. To enrich is another. Singer-Songwriter-Harper-Poet Diemm plays for that one note, that one resonant chord that opens a cascade of ‘yes’ inside you.
Learn more about Diemm at https://www.diemm.ca/
