The Fort Cafe seems a strange choice of venue for the launch of an album so subversive as The Black Valley Gospel’s inaugural, self-titled offering. But on Saturday night David Chenery’s latest project is set to release their extended musical meditation on the devil himself within the narrow confines of a cafe more accustomed to belching the sweet aroma of saffron and other aromatic spices than a scent so sulfurous and sweaty as that to which Black Valley Gospel has claimed as their most reliable muse; ironically, the pairing is destined for Heaven, not Hell. Read Nick Lyons’ write up on mondaymag.com and get your saintly butt down to the Fort Cafe, March. 3 to find out if Chenery’s Satan is a demon or saint. Doors at 7 p.m. and show promptly at 9:30 p.m. With Bonehoof. $8.
Local songstress Anne Schaefer is releasing her sophomore album The Waiting Room Thurs., March 1 at Alix Goolden Hall. The album has already been nominated for Album of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.
Local artist Deryk Houston is having a show of his paintings at Eclectic Gallery called Blackbirds, Stooked Wheat and Prayers, which explores earth and creating conditions for seeds to grow — a metaphor for the search for peace. Opening reception is Thurs., March 1 at 7 p.m. (2170 Oak Bay).
Sample the rich vocal colours and contrasting expressive traditions found in the music of Scandinavia and Canada with Northern Lights Northern Echoes by the Linden Singers concert choir, Sun., March 4 at 3 p.m. at First Metropolitan United Church (Balmoral and Quadra).
Local rockers The June Fiasco are playing a show at Logan’s Pub Fri., March 2 to mark the release of their music video on Much Music for this single for ‘This is Your Life’ alongside Jell, Blake Andison and the Solution, $8, 10 p.m.
Theatre Inconnu is kicking off the 2012 season with Judith Thompson’s The Crackwalker, opening Fri., March 2 at Little Fernwood Hall. Directed by Graham McDonald and staring Melissa Blank, Julian Cervello, Joe Nicholson, Naomi Simpson and Brownwyn Steinberg, The Crackwalker is a tragic and often funny look at marginalized Canadians circa 1980. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see someone you recognize in this play. Running until March 17.
The Ministry of Casual Living is celebrating its 10th birthday with a weekend of awesome kicking off March 1 with an acoustic show featuring Nasstasia Yard (1580 Cook, 8 p.m.), followed by a fundraiser at Logan’s Pub the same evening. The big birthday bash is Friday at Incite Screen Printing (2514 Douglas) complete with cake, goodie bags and magic by David Gifford. Bring a T-shirt to get printed with MOCL limited-edition prints. Find out more at ministryofcasualliving.ca M
