JANUARY NEWSLETTER — What’s On in January
Happy New Year! As we approach a fresh new year, ArtSpring’s official 25th Anniversary, there is much excitement in the air. This includes the special announcement of our headlining act for April’s four-day Celebration Festival — Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo). We are also pleased to announce his opening act will be none other than young country up-and-comer Salome Cullen, who graduated from GISS this past June and has performed many times on the ArtSpring stage with his school music program. He now records his own music. Advance tickets will go on sale Tuesday January 16.
Our Community Festival organizer, Christina Penhale, is on the look-out for other local performers and artists interested in being featured during our four days of celebration. She is calling for proposal submissions until January 31 for consideration. Please see the link later in the newsletter.
For ArtSpring Presents programming, January is bursting at the seams with two passionate operas from The Met: Live in HD simulcast series, Shakespearian-inspired music from Baltimore Consort, and the return of Victoria Baroque, now as a Saturday matinee. Makana Youth Choirs is opening choir registration for the Spring term, with rehearsals starting Friday, January 19.
As a special event, we are also pleased to have Deb Williams, Co-founder and Artistic Producer of the The Flame — Vancouver’s premier storytelling event — to lead her two day personal storytelling workshop, helping people structure and tell more compelling stories about their lives and experiences. Whether you are an accomplished speaker or are shy and don’t think you don’t have stories worth telling, Deb assures me everyone has a story to tell and connections to make. Storytellers of all ages, genders, and orientations learn, laugh, and discover new insights in her encouraging and supportive space.
ArtSpring also plays host to community events such as GISS Theatre’s high school presentation of Alice in Wonderland, GISS Dance’s performance of contemporary, jazz, and hip hop stylings, the Salt Spring Photography Club’s annual photography exhibition, a Vetta Monday matinee, and a special screening from Salt Spring Film Festival of “Physician, Heal Thyself,” featuring Dr. Gabor Maté, one of the world’s most influential thinkers on trauma, addiction, and mental health.
How can the arts enrich, uplift, and connect you this month? See you at ArtSpring!
Howard R. Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring
ArtSpring Presents in The Theatre
MET OPERA: Live in HD: Nabucco (Verdi) Sat Jan 6 | 9:55am | Tickets $15-$25
REVIVAL. Ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Join us for intermission quiche!
VICTORIA BAROQUE | Sat Jan 13 | 2:30pm | Tickets $5-$35
With signature fiery energy, celebrated violinist Aisslinn Nosky leads Victoria Baroque in concerti by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Telemann, and a mesmerizing contemporary piece, ‘Falling Still’ by Canadian composer, Emily Doolittle. Nosky has captivated audiences around the world with her innovative interpretations and impeccable technique as a soloist, director, and conductor. Hailed as “superb” by The New York Times and “a fearsomely powerful musician” by The Toronto Star.
THE FLAME: PERSONAL STORYTELLING WORKSHOP & PERFORMANCE Sat Jan 20-Sun Jan 21 | 10am-4pm | $80 \\ Performance | Jan 21 | 7:30pm | $10
No matter who we are, what we have in common is a story to tell and the need to be heard. It’s how we connect. But what makes a great story, and how can you be a better personal storyteller?
Enter Deb Williams, storyteller, actor, comedienne, playwright, teacher, and co-founder and Artistic Producer of The Flame — Vancouver’s premiere storytelling event – who brings her transformative workshop to Salt Spring for the first time. With practice, tips, and encouraging feedback, you will leave with several polished and meaningful stories about your life experiences. Select stories to be performed. Space is limited!
BALTIMORE CONSORT | Fri Jan 26 | 7:30pm | Tickets $5-$35
Baltimore Consort takes to the stage with In Angel’s Wede: Music for Mary Queen of Scots, created in 2020 when the ensemble was asked if they could perform a women-themed program to celebrate the centennial for women’s right to vote in the US. Founded in 1980 to perform the instrumental music of Shakespeare’s time, the internationally acclaimed music ensemble has explored early music from England, Scotland, France, Italy, and Spain, focusing on the relationship between folk and art song and dance.
MET OPERA: Live in HD: Carmen (Bizet) Sat Jan 27 | 9:55am | Tickets $15-$25
NEW PRODUCTION. Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell makes her Met debut, reinvigorating the classic story of deadly passion with a staging that moves the action to the present day, amid a band of human traffickers. Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads a powerhouse quartet of stars.
Community Presentations
This seventy minute trip down the rabbit hole was entirely designed and adapted by these grade 10-12 students. Come through the Tulgey Woods with them and meet the Tweedles, Humpty, the Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter and more as Alice finds her way past the Red Queen. With a snicker snack of her Vorpol sword, she manages to slay more than the Jabberwocky.
The GISS Dance performance of “Affinity” will offer new works of choreography for the stage. These vibrant and enthusiastic youth have been working hard in the studio to plan their grooves and moves and will be performing lyrical dance, contemporary, jazz, and of course, hip hop and funk.
One of the world’s most influential thinkers on trauma, addiction, and mental health, Dr. Gabor Maté is widely admired as the author of such bestsellers as In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, The Myth of Normal and When the Body Says No. In this engaging and painfully honest review of his life’s work, Dr. Maté shares not only his professional theories, but also his personal story. Winning an Audience Award at VIFF, the film encourages us to own our failings, accept our imperfections, and prioritize our mental health.
Exhibitions & Galleries
Every year, Photo Club members are invited to submit their best photos without the constraints of size or subject matter for its annual January Lobby Show at ArtSpring. From the unusual to the beautiful to the most technically challenging, the photographs showcase Salt Springs’ range of photographic talent. Most images are offered for sale.
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