APRIL NEWSLETTER — What’s on in April

April is as colourful as ever with five ArtSpring Presents performances for the ages and from the ages – Renaissance to reggae, contemporary Indigenous folk to historic interpretations of Bach, and some serious piano shenanigans in the mix.

Right out of the gate on April 1, ArtSpring gets heisted by Piano Heist, a fun, fast-paced piano duel between two life-long friends who put their keyboard musicianship to the test followed by a very different and beautifully distinct performance from award-winning Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen and her interpretation of Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations.

Reaching even further back in history is a rare and fascinating glimpse of the music, instrumentation and court dances of the 15th and 16th century from France’s Ensemble Doulce Mémoire.

On April 17, we then turn up the heat with world music Juno award-winner Wesli and his show-stopping band. Finally, on April 20, contemporary Indigenous sibling folk and roots duo Sechile Sedare share some very touching personal stories created during the 2021 lockdown.

For visiting artists, ArtSpring welcomes back The Completely Creedence band honouring the music of CCR and from Duncan, Warmland Dance Company presents its adult contemporary dance creation “Unfolding: Humanity in Motion.”

From within the community, Salt Spring Forum tackles what’s happening south of the border, and StageCoach Theatre’s youth theatre performance of Matilda is sure to enchant, a perfect family-friendly platform to support our young artists.

Our April Exhibition in the Gallery is “Undiscovered Country,” a collection of seven local artists and their response to Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be,” and in the lobby, “Femme Frequency,” a collective of seven local female artists, showcase their creative perspectives in multiple mediums.

It’s a great month to see the breadth of talent from our own backyard. As always, ask about our $15 Theatre Angel ticket program, making the arts accessible to all.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang, Executive & Artistic Director

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MARCH NEWSLETTER — What’s On in March

Spring arrives at ArtSpring with a fresh line-up of contemporary ballet, chamber music, virtuosic piano, classical guitar, opera, and a host of vibrant community and visiting presentations.

As for this month’s performances, on March 2, Ballet Edmonton visits ArtSpring for the first time with its much-anticipated Sunday afternoon performance. Comprised of three original modern ballet creations, this poetic and energetic production involves the entire company of dancers and the first tour for new artistic director Kirsten Wicklund from Vancouver.

For the first time since 2018, the Penderecki String Quartet (PSQ) returns to ArtSpring on March 13 for a powerhouse performance. Salt Spring’s own Peter Hatch has written a world-premiere piece for the quartet, and Peter and the group will also be heading over to the composition class at GISS for some much-anticipated mentorship.

On March 16, ArtSpring welcomes the Montréal Guitar Trio, one of the finest ensembles in the country. In this special performance, the guitarists are presenting a tribute concert in memory of the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone then on March 30, a Sunday matinee to enjoy — concert pianist Janina Fialkowska, who has enchanted audiences and critics around the world.

March also sees community programming such as Bach on the Rock, the Salt Spring Painters Guild Workshop Lobby Show, and Vetta is back with its fourth out of five daytime concerts. In partnership with ArtSpring, StageCoach is offering two camps over spring break – Musical Theatre with Sue Newman and Acting for Film and TV with John-David Hutchison. And, watch out – visiting tribute band RELICS deliver a Pink Floyd experience for the ages.

ON AN ADDED NOTE: Recently a patron with a hearing impairment reached out to share a difficult experience they had at an ArtSpring performance. It was not a matter of our speakers or sound system, as was suggested, but rather the patron did not know — as many may not — we have five hearing-enhancement sets that can be requested at the Box Office or from the Duty Manager. If you need a unit set aside, request one in advance when you purchase or pick up tickets or ask upon arrival if any are available. Feedback is always welcome to help us ensure everyone has the best experience possible.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER — What’s On in February

Both ‘classic’ and ‘fresh’ are the themes this February at ArtSpring, which is full of sizzling jazz, film, theatre, young symphony talent, and a first for ArtSpring Presents – a powerful spoken word/slam poet artist.

The virtuosic Borealis String Quartet from Vancouver returns on February 8 to take chamber music by storm with both a contemporary composer’s work (Michael Conway Baker) as well as classic pieces from Shostakovich and Grieg.

Jazz fans are in for a real treat this month with two masterful performances. The Tom Keenlyside Quartet conjures up the magic of Dave Brubeck’s 1959 masterpiece “Time Out” just in time for Valentines, followed by 40-year jazz veteran Remi Bolduc and his ensemble’s take on a venerable who’s-who of classic jazz masters.

We know how much our community loves theatre, and there are many wonderful local productions that take to the stage. ArtSpring Presents has faced challenges bringing in touring productions, but we are so pleased to be able to present “Heirlooms and Baggage ” from Delta Stageworks this February. If you love theatre and want to encourage it, we’d love to see you there.

We are beyond the moon to be presenting internationally-recognized Canadian slam poet Shane Koyczan on February 25. It’s a new genre for ArtSpring, and we know audiences will be as deeply affected by the experience as millions of people around the world have been.

On February 23, talent from the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Young Artists Collegium Program take the ferry to ArtSpring for a special chamber music concert. It’s a wonderful opportunity for local musical youth to see what could be ahead of them, as well as parents and grandparents.

February also sees community programming such as Salt Spring Film Festival’s two “Best of the Fest” presentations, an exceptional photographic Lobby Exhibition of Canada’s Polar Landscapes through the lens of a geologist, and we welcome back 100+ Women Who Care’s tri-annual meet-up.

For all ArtSpring Presents shows, affordable access includes the $5 youth and $15 Angel ticket prices.

See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

JANUARY NEWSLETTER — What’s On in January

A fresh new year opens this January in fine form. Passionate opera, baroque music with a fiddler twist, a renowned pianist and opera singer’s album release, and a two-day personal storytelling workshop top the list for ArtSpring Presents. GISS Dance, the Salt Spring Film Festival, and Salt Spring Photography Club’s exhibition showcase community presentations for all ages.

As a Saturday January 18 matinee, ArtSpring welcomes back always popular Victoria Baroque. The ensemble is joined this time by Baroque violinist and Cape Breton folk fiddler David Greenberg for a program exploring sweet sleep, dreams, and things that go bump in the night. With selections from Purcell’s incidental music for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Vivaldi’s flute concerto “La Notte,” arrangements of Celtic folk songs, and other night-themed music, the concert promises a lively clash between classical and traditional music.

No matter who we are, what we all have in common is we have a story to tell and 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 once again brings her transformative storytelling two-day workshop to Salt Spring. From shy beginners to the accomplished, storytellers of all ages, genders, orientations, and cultures are welcome to join a joyful, creative, and supportive space to learn the foundational rules of effective storytelling.

With practice, tips, and encouraging feedback, participants will leave the workshop with several polished and meaningful five-minute stories about their life experiences. The $100 workshop runs Jan 18-19, with a voluntary presentation of completed stories to an audience of friends and family.

Saturday morning MET Opera Live in HD is back with one of its most sumptuous productions, Verdi’s Aida, which draws audiences inside opera’s most famous love triangle amidst the towering pyramids and gilded tombs of ancient Egypt. Soprano Blue Angel stars, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin taking the podium to conduct.

On January 31, Rachel Fenlon, the internationally-regarded soprano and pianist who had a visiting creative residency at ArtSpring in August 2024, presents a very special program of Schubert’s “Winterreise.” Her long-awaited debut album “Winterreise” was released in October, with her singing and accompanying herself on piano – a recording first.

In community-led programming, GISS Dance presents “Spectral” to showcase dance students’ technical and creative growth with joyful, retro, dystopian, and hopeful choreography and themes on January 15 and 16. The Salt Spring Film Festival is back with its fourth “Best of the Fests” screening of “Blue Rodeo: Lost Together,” a music documentary about the legendary band’s 40-year adventure.

Vetta’s Chamber Music’s third concert “French Connections” is a Monday matinee on January 27 and don’t miss seeing through the lens of the island’s best photographers in the Salt Spring Photography Club’s winter exhibition. See you at ArtSpring!

For all ArtSpring Presents shows, affordable access includes the $5 youth and $15 Angel ticket prices.

See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER — What’s On in December

What a year this has been! As we enter our final month of 2024 — our 25th Anniversary Year — we have so much to be thankful for as we review what was accomplished and what is to come.

From the galvanizing 25th Anniversary Community Festival in April to our most successful Treasure Fair on record; from the establishment of ArtSpring’s first legacy endowment fund in August to sold out performances attracting new audiences in the last two months — there is a momentum of excitement and unity.

With this buzz in mind, the holiday season promises to sparkle at ArtSpring with two major ArtSpring Presents performances and a busy house of local choirs, theatre, GISS, visiting concerts, and two Salt Spring Film Festival screenings to capture the festive spirit.

On December 10, Monster Theatre’s Juliet, A Revenge Comedy turns Shakespeare on its head and is one of the few ArtSpring Presents theatrical performances to feature in the season’s line-up. It’s also a good bet for young people, students of theatre, and families. With our year-round $5 youth tickets and $15 Angel tickets, it’s a cost-approachable night out at the theatre.

Audiences of all ages will enjoy the sophisticated stylings of two award winning powerhouses – vocalist Dawn Pemberton and bassist/bandleader Jodi Proznick — as they bring put their spin on holiday classics made famous by true musical legends in O, Come All Ye Soulful.

A visiting concert kicks off the season on December 1 with a family-friendly nostalgic matinee of A Rocky Mountain High Christmas: The Music of John Denver. John Denver’s hits and cherished Christmas melodies share the stage with appearances from Makana Youth Choirs and the GISS Choir, a great opportunity for our kids to participate in a large professional production.

Salt Spring Film Festival presents its next two compelling “best of the fests” features, local power house musicians and actors present a musical theatre tribute to Gertrude Stein, local jazz-pop musician Kate Trajan will perform songs from her new album, and the GISS music program has a two-night Motown concert.

ArtSpring’s final day of the season, Friday December 20, welcomes back Viva Chorale! with its Anne of Green Gables Christmas Concert in support of the Food Bank.

ArtSpring is closed for the holiday season December 21 through January 6. We hope you consider being part of the story and part of the impact with a donation before year-end or giving the gift of the arts with stocking stuffer tickets!  Celebrating the arts is always in style.

See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER — What’s On in November

After a boisterous launch of the ArtSpring Presents 2024/25 Season in October, attracting sold out audiences to almost every show, November rolls out another month of must-see performances across a wide range of genres which often blend, contrast, and push new boundaries.

From Duo Cordelia’s improvisational take on chamber music to contemporary jazz being given a Caribbean Latin flare; ArtSpring’s first presentation of Indigenous hip-hop to the power of eight cello masters simultaneously assembled on stage — ArtSpring is the place to enjoy unforgettable experiences.

It’s also a busy month for community bookings, exhibitions, and off-island visiting productions — from the Salt Spring Film Festival’s first “Best of the Fests” screening and Salt Spring Island Foundation’s 40th Anniversary festivities to Graffiti Theatre’s “Sutureself” and African Chamber Music.

We hope you find buying tickets easier than ever as we made the leap to a new Box Office system this past month. Just a reminder that you will need to change your password, and thank you for your patience as we and our volunteers get up to speed. Thank you as well to those who filled out our survey about our provocative season opener, Cliff Cardinal’s Land Acknowledgement or As You Like It. Reaching out for your opinions about select performances throughout the season is a new way in which we can evaluate our programming and ensure it is reflecting our community.

Another way to participate is to consider a donation to our year-end annual appeal which we will be spotlighting over the next few weeks. You can direct your donation to what you connect with most, as well as enjoy a range of unique engagement benefits tailored by category.

Finally, save the date for ArtSpring’s AGM on December 2. We are excited to present the results of our 25th Anniversary Year, induct new board members, distribute the Annual Report, and hear from a special guest speaker about the state and role of the arts on our dynamic Island home.

See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER — What’s On in October

October is here! With ticket sales having started in September, the new 2024/25 ArtSpring Presents Season has been attracting attention for its diverse and richly colourful programming curated from across BC, Canada, and the world.

The popular Saturday morning Met Opera series gets the season started on October 5 with Offenbach’s fantastical Tales of Hoffman starring French tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the title role of the tortured poet. Opera fans and the opera-curious can look forward to five Live in HD experiences between October and May featuring ArtSpring’s enhanced sound system, brand new cinematic projector, and warm quiche intermissions.

ArtSpring’s highly-anticipated season opener promises to create a stir on October 8. Shakespeare’s As You Like It, a Radical Retelling comes from young Indigenous playwright and provocateur Cliff Cardinal.

Playing to sold out audiences in Toronto and New York, it was initially positioned with great mystery and many questions. How was the acerbic, mischievous Cardinal going to take on this classic of Western theatre, one of Shakespeare’s most accessible and whimsical plays?

The reveal was, what starts as a simple Land Acknowledgement continues for the duration of the show, cleverly recontextualizing the Bard’s storyline into an examination of the relationship between the Indigenous and settler communities and the state of the reconciliation process this country has been attempting for the last few decades.

Exulting in bawdy humour, difficult subject matter, and raw emotion, the work was the recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama and called “a liberating night at the theatre; brutally funny and honest” by The Globe & Mail.

The momentum continues with the return of The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, a curated screening of short films from around the world that captures the essence of human passion, persistence, and adrenaline in the mountain and adventure sporting worlds. We are again partnering to support Salt Spring’s Search and Rescue team and the work they do.

From visionary Montreal-based dance company Tentacle Tribe comes a mesmerizing kaleidoscopic dream, and monsters make their appearance with Salt Spring’s own renowned clown, movement, and performance artist Nayana Fielkov’s Underbelly. The theme continues with Ballet Victoria’s Sunday matinée of Frankenstein on October 27 just in time for Halloween.

Finally, for school and family audiences, from acclaimed Vancouver-based youth theatre company Axis Theatre comes Where Have All the Buffalo Gone? with stories about the Métis people’s history and relationships with the buffalo over time.

October is also busy with local community and off-island presentations. Tribute concerts for Creedence Clearwater Revival and Johnny Cash will get people clapping, while Salt Spring Forum’s free Provincial Election Candidates Debate on October 9 is a true town hall event.

We’re also putting out the call for students in grades 9-12 to join a new ArtSpring Youth Advisory Committee to encourage more voices, opinions, and participation from young people about programming in the future. If you have children in this age group, or know of any who might be interested – please encourage them to apply.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

With ticket sales opening at the Box Office early September for the new 2024/25 Season, this year promises to be one of the most culturally diverse, captivating, and colourful yet with a record 37 ArtSpring Presents performances from artists across BC, Canada, and the world.

Five luxurious Met Opera broadcasts, a few surprise concerts, and a never-before-seen exhibition of the private art and artifact collection of Robert and Birgit Bateman round out this remarkably robust program.

This is the year of choice, curiosity, and contrast. You can look forward to a beautiful performance by young classical pianist/soprano Rachel Fenlon but also hit the beat with Indigenous BC hip-hop sensation Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” gets a very radical retelling in our Season Opener, as does the fast-paced “Juliet, A Revenge Comedy,” yet the exquisite pianist Sarah Hagan and powerhouse string quartets Borealis and Penderecki keep music history and technique alive and well.

From presenting Dave Brubeck jazz to the Haitian afro-funk of Wesli, spoken word superstar Shane Koyczan to Ballet Victoria’s Frankenstein, stand-up comedian Julie Kim to a second Banff Mountain Film Festival screening, this season spreads its wings. With storytelling workshops, school productions, Salt Spring’s own clown artist Nayana Fielkov, and community dance parties – ArtSpring is the place to be.

In a special pre-Season concert, Juno award-winning Elinor Frey returns to ArtSpring September 28 to perform Bach’s cello suites — the heart of the repertoire for nearly all cellists.

For community-led events, ArtSpring’s Roundtable Committee hosts a “Connect the Dots” brainstorm and discussion group on Thursday, September 26. Springboarding from the colourful community ideas posted to the lobby banner at the 25th Anniversary Festival in April, organizers will invite participants to review, flush out, and distill ideas suitable for future public programming.

Salt Spring Forum, Makana Youth Choir registrations, tribute performances The Doobie Brothers Experience and Tower of Song: A Creative Tribute to Leonard Cohen, Caravan World Rhythms’ Flamenco Ensemble, and returning favourite Vetta Chamber Music bring the hustle and bustle of a new fall season into the theatre. See you at ArtSpring!

Tickets on sale for members in person Tuesday September 3.

Tickets made public and available online Tuesday Sept 10.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

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Box Office

Buy tickets online, by phone, in person. Box office open 10am-2pm, Tuesday-Friday, and one hour before each event for sales for that event only. Leave a message outside of these hours and we will contact you as soon as we can.
tickets.artspring.ca | 250.537.2102
All events are subject to change. Refunds, exchanges, or credits will be offered if events are cancelled or rescheduled.

JULY NEWSLETTER — What’s on in July?

Happy Canada Day long weekend! We hope you are planning to be enjoying the sunshine with family and friends.

If you are out at the Salt Spring Car Club’s “Show ‘n Shine” on July 1, be sure to stop by our Treasure Fair feature auction item — a Porsche 356 Speedster replica built from the ground-up based on the 1956 iconic model. It kicks off the countdown to our annual fundraising Fair, set to take over the gallery and light up its online bidding from July 10-13.

All donors and registrants are invited to attend the Preview Gala on July 10 from 4:00-6:00pm for an advance tour before bidding goes live at 6:00pm. The goal is to raise more than $55,000. Last year’s Treasure Fair exceeded that and became our most successful drive to date. We hope in this 25th Anniversary year, there is momentum to push it even further.

We are also proud to present this year’s Treasure Fair concert on Friday, July 12. I highly encourage you to experience Raagaverse — led by the talented Shruti Ramani (voice) and Jodi Proznick (bass) both of whom appeared in March with The Ostara Project.

A special summer concert by Barney Bentall, Tom Taylor, and Shari Ulrich is coming to ArtSpring July 16. While currently sold out, there is a waiting list that can be joined.

Finally, the Salt Spring Chamber Fest returns with two unique performances on Friday July 26 and Saturday July 27 under the common theme of “Time is an Island – 25 Years of Salt Spring Chamber Music.” Also, be sure to tour the Salt Spring Painters Guild’s Summer Show and Sale in the Gallery. Opening reception is July 26.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

_______________________________________________________________

Box Office

Buy tickets online, by phone, in person. Box office open 10am-2pm, Tuesday-Friday, and one hour before each event for sales for that event only. Leave a message outside of these hours and we will contact you as soon as we can.
tickets.artspring.ca | 250.537.2102
All events are subject to change. Refunds, exchanges, or credits will be offered if events are cancelled or rescheduled.

JUNE NEWSLETTER — What’s on in June

As we finalize our exciting upcoming 2024/25 Season launching in the fall, ArtSpring is an active hub in the summer with June’s school and community productions, as well as lobby exhibits by four Indigenous artists all month long and as a part of the SSI Indigenous People Weekend Event (Jun 21-23.)

We’re also gearing up for July’s ever-popular Treasure Fair, including the announcement of our Treasure Fair concert. This year we present Raagaverse! For those of you who caught The Ostara Project back in March, you’ll want to come out for Canadian bassist Jodi Proznick and vocalist Shruti Ramani who return with an intriguing one-of-a-kind Indo-Jazz sound that’s not to be missed.

Makana Youth Choirs, GISS Music, and GISS Theatre take to the stage for their end-of-year student performances, and Evolve Dance Collective explores the theme of womanhood. Those who love vibrant music with a beat will want to come out for 2024 Juno-winning artists OKAN, who fuse Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms.

Finally, ArtSpring’s community-driven Roundtable Committee is facilitating a free Pecha Kucha event that will bring together 10 local artists in different disciples to present what they do and what fires them up. Let the creative collaborations begin!

Don’t forget to register for Treasure Fair to be eligible to bid and attend our Treasure Fair Preview Gala July 10. It’s coming up soon.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

 

_______________________________________________________________

Box Office

Buy tickets online, by phone, in person. Box office open 10am-2pm, Tuesday-Friday, and one hour before each event for sales for that event only. Leave a message outside of these hours and we will contact you as soon as we can.
tickets.artspring.ca | 250.537.2102
All events are subject to change. Refunds, exchanges, or credits will be offered if events are cancelled or rescheduled.