The Royal BC Museum explores the auditory with Site & Sound, Saturday April 28
Have you ever wandered through the First Peoples Gallery at the Royal B.C. Museum and imagined their voices telling you a story, a lesson or a legacy? Or have you wandered past the box office of the Majestic Theatre in Old Town hoping a prohibition-era show would come to life in front of you? Well, Saturday night at the museum may be for you.
Musicians, poets and sound artists will inhabit the dioramas and displays of the museum after hours; including Victoria poet laureate Janet Rogers, Peter Morin in the First Peoples Gallery and local improv duo SpeakEasy (Missie Peters and Dave Morris) in the theatre.
Joining them will be sound artist Tina Pearson, bluegrass duo Garrett Tompson and Shanti Bremer, The Victoria Phonographers Union, The Victoria Gum Sing Musical Society, intermedia artist Paul Walde, and flutist Kathy Rogers. The event starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15. M
The Milk Carton Kids play Fairfield United Church, Saturday, April 28.
Get a taste of what’s in store for you at FolkWest 2012 with a concert by the Milk Carton Kids, a young duo from California who left a lasting impression on FolkWest artistic director Oliver Swain.
“This is the best new acoustic singer-songwriter duo I’ve heard in years,” says Swain. “It’s Gillian Welch meets Samuel Beam with a little early Simon & Garfunkle thrown in. Totally classic, totally original.”
Formed in February 2011, The Milk Carton Kids have already released two albums — the live album Retrospect and the studio full-length Prologue. In addition to all traditional physical and digital retail outlets, they’ve made both albums available for free download, no strings attached, direct-to-fans via their website. They’ll be playing Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield) with special guest Cameron Latimer, Saturday, April 28. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $14 advance/$16 door/$12 members. Available at Lyle’s, Ditch and Larsen Music. M
Shari Ulrich plays The Well, Tuesday, May 2
Catch multiple Juno award-winning singer-songwriter Shari Ulrich in a rare solo performance before she heads out on a tour of Central Canada with Julia Graff and Ted Littlemore. With 19 albums, three trios and multiple bands, Ulrich has spent her life working as a musician and sharing her passion.
You can hear her Wednesday, May 2 at the Well. Show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at The Well, Munro’s Books, Guitars on Fort and through the Victoria Folk Music Society. M
1959 Pink Thunderbird Convertible opens Thursday, April 26 at Langham Court Theatre
Langham Court Theatre is offering a nostalgic deal with James McLure’s 1959 Pink Thunderbird Convertible — with Laundry and Bourbon directed by Heather Jarvie and Lone Star directed by Paul Terry. 1959 Pink Thunderbird Convertible is a comical yet sentimental look at the effect war has on both the soldiers and those left behind. The play brings together the dynamic characters of both Laundry and Bourbon and Lone Star into one complete experience. Set in 1973 and revolving around the Vietnam War, three couples from Maynard, Texas try to come to terms with the choices they have made and the hand life has dealt them. The ladies spend a hot afternoon folding laundry and gossiping while sipping Coke and bourbon, while Vietnam vet Roy, tell tales of his three loves: his country, his sexy young wife and his 1959 pink Thunderbird. Despite their troubles, their experience seems to teach them that there is always something to be thankful for. Langham’s cast includes Jared Gowen as Roy; Morgan Cranny as Ray; Alasdair Howie as Cletis; Shara Campsall as Elizabeth; Kate Pagett as Hattie and Melissa Taylor as Amy Lee. Preview night Wednesday, April 25 (two for $20 for all patrons.) Opening Thursday, April 26 at 8 p.m. 250-384-2142. Two plays in one! M
Big Wreck, Saturday, April 28 at Club 9ONE9
Big Wreck is bringing their big rock to Club 9ONE9 Saturday, April 28 for a sold-out show.
The first show on their tour that will take them across Western Canada, Victoria is in for a reunion, showcasing not only Big Wreck’s new album Albatross, but also other fan favourites from the past decade.
“For me, as far as doing a tour as Big Wreck, it’s been like 10 years. It’s been great just to see the reaction to our new stuff,” says Ian Thornley, vocalist and guitar. “It’s not all that different from what I was doing with Thornley. The set list will be different, we’ll have longer solos. We’re not reinventing the wheel, we’re just hitting the road trying to give people the best show we can.”
His “mission statement” going into the studio to record Albatross was to make a traditional rock album that didn’t fit the commercial mold. “I don’t even get to the chorus in the first minute of Albatross. People said we would never get on the radio, but it was the songs that dictated where they wanted to go. It’s difficult to throw the rule book out the window.” M
