On Saturday night, The Prince George Symphony Orchestra opens its mainstage season with a Canadian music treasure: star pianist Jane Coop.
One of Canada's best loved classical pianists, Jane Coop, will perform with the PGSO at Vanier Hall on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Coop will join the orchestra as soloist in Robert Schumann's poetic Piano Concerto; rounding out the program will be the PGSO's version of Brahms Symphony #3.
"The decision to pair Brahms and Schumann makes sense in so many ways," says PGSO music director Kevin Zakresky. "Schumann was the first to recognize Brahms as one of music's greatest talents. Brahms, in turn, revered Schumann, and considered his only piano concerto, composed especially for Schumann's wife Clara, music of the highest inspiration."
The show is entitled Autumn Symphony. "We are looking forward to launching our season with these two consummate masterworks, and looking forward with great anticipation to making music with Jane Coop," Zakresky said.
And with the start of the PGSO season there is still time to purchase seasons' tickets for the entire year of concerts. PGSO Volunteers will be on hand to help listeners choose season or flex pass tickets during the concert.
This weekend, Dreamland School of the Arts (4th Ave. and Queensway) is hosting a first-time event for Theatre North West, as a fundraising / housecleaning combination.
"After 20 years, TNW has more costumes than we can store," said a TNW statement. "So, just in time for Halloween, and for the first time ever, we're having a costume sale. Come down for great deals on amazing vintage and costume pieces. Huge selection."
Take home a costume and also pieces of clothing history from the PG professional stage.
Tonight, local power-pop-punk band The Statistics present their new EP entitled Haunts. They headline a variety show at UNBC's Thirsty Moose Pub. Other acts on the bill include City Light Vigil (alt-rock from Chetwynd), Bryce Lokken (comedian from P.G.), and Adam Harasimiuk (musical comedy from P.G.). Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Gates open at 8 p.m. and showtime is 9 p.m.
An all-P.G. singer-songwriter twin bill hits the Nancy O's stage tonight. Opening act Britt Meierhofer (of Crones and Goodnightmare fame) comes out first to light up the stage, followed by powerhouse folk-soul artist Willie Kuklis. Showtime is 9 p.m. and admission is $5.
On Saturday, local blues singer-songwriter Karl Standeven takes the stage at Shiraz Cafe for a solo night. He was the frontman for longtime local fave band Rutabaga Chilluns. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
Three great, new, all-original, local plays will be unveiled together on Saturday night. Art Space is the place for Under Wraps, the event dedicated to the best in Central Interior Zone-Theatre BC emerging playwrights.
Come see the three one acts that won the awards at the CIZ New Play Festival. On stage will be: The Trip by April Gerwing of Williams Lake, Down the Rabbithole by Pete Drewcock of Kersley and Work by PG's own Raghu Lokanathan. Tickets are $15 available at Books & Company. Doors open at 7:30, shows at 8 p.m.
A benefit concert happens Saturday night at the Northwood Motor Inn (Nelly's Pub) with local bands raising money for a couple well connected to the PG music scene.
"Cancer has struck two of our precious citizens of Prince George, Brenda Hartford (Witala) and
Richard Turner," said co-organizer Anna Sandberg. "Back in the '70s there were many great PG bands. One of those bands was Sweet Hostage. Richard was the lead guitarist as well as the band manager. Darcy Hartford was on drums; Brenda is his wife."
Sandberg said there would be a jam session to start off the proceedings at noon until 6 p.m. Headliner band Miss Guided would hit the stage at 8 p.m. for the dance portion. Other bands were expected as well.
"We are asking everyone and anyone who loves rock 'n' roll to come and be part of this special event," Sandberg said. "Bring your instrument if you play, but more importantly, your support."
Tickets for the dance are $15 available at Northwood Motor Inn, Electron, Sound Factory, Greg Hoare (250-640-0323) or Lauren Boyd at Salon Spice. Donations for the silent auction are also welcome.
He is still known more for being the concertmaster of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, but Jose Delgado-Guevara is fast becoming respected for painting as well. Following up on his applauded debut art exhibition at the Two Rivers Gallery, he now opens a show of new works at Groop Gallery. Entitled Vestuario, these collected paintings are unveiled Oct. 10 at a 7 p.m. reception and artist's talk.
Singer, looper, hugger Doug Koyama returns to the Prince George stage by popular demand on Oct. 12. He will be at Art Space starting at 7:30 p.m. With his booming-but-sensitive singing voice, and vocal imagination, Koyama weaves soundscapes unlike anything heard before. No two shows are the same. The Cariboo performing artist can be seen for a ticket price of $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Books & Company.
He's known for cars and crushing guitars. Danny "The Count" Koker is the proprietor of celebrity hot rod shop Count's Kustoms which super-restores vintage vehicles. It's the set of the hit TV show Counting Cars.
As well as star cars, Koker is also the frontman for classic rock power group Count's 77 along with former Britney Fox frontman Tommy Paris, past Blue Man Group drummer Paul Disibio, Rock Of Ages bassist Barry Barnes, and the twin guitars of acclaimed blues session players John Zito and Stoney Curtis. Count's 77 plays a cabaret show at CN Centre on Oct. 18
On Oct. 17 and 18, the first Playhouse of Horror Film Festival takes place at the PG Playhouse. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7. Tickets (available at www.brownpapertickets.com) for the double feature showcase are $12 each night (comes with free popcorn voucher). See Halloween and House On Haunted Hill one night, Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead the next.
UNBC hosts the Artisans of the North Fair on Oct. 25 and 26. Start time is 9 a.m. both days for this extravaganza of local artists and artisans.
On Nov. 8 book your tickets for the 7th Annual Spinning Angels Pole Dance Competition at the PG Playhouse. Tickets are $25 each or five for $100. The evening includes vine pole arts, Spinning Angels founder Angel Stewart, two-time first runner up Jaime Garibay as featured soloist, a collection of solo, duo and group performances, and more. Call 250-562-6456 for more information.
One of CN Centre's most requested shows will be coming back for an encore performance. The Very Best of Celtic Thunder returns to the CN Centre on March 14 for a very special evening.
Drawing material from Celtic Thunder's nine Public Television Specials, 11 albums and DVDs, and eight North American tours, The Very Best Of Celtic Thunder aims to combine all Celtic Thunder classics, fan favorites and hit songs into a formidable stage show.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at the CN Centre box office, Studio 2880, or online.
The Prince George Public Library is raising money for its outdoor Knowledge Garden. A raffle is underway now until the Oct. 1 draw date. The 50-50 prize gives half to the winner and half to the Friends of the Library Association. To purchase tickets, visit either the Bob Harkins branch downtown or the Nechako branch in the Hart Shopping Centre.
Popular children's characters Toopy and Binoo will be live in P.G. on October 23 at the CN Centre. Tickets go on sale June 6 at CN Centre box office, Studio 2880 and Ticketmaster online.
Toopy and Binoo were born on the pages of books by Dominique Jolin, then became television stars starting in 2005. Now the live stage show is touring western Canada for the first time.
The Doobie Brothers come rockin' down the highway into Prince George for an Oct. 24 concert at CN Centre. One of the most popular classic rock bands ever, The Doobies have rung up a glittering track record including three multi-platinum, seven platinum and 14 Gold albums. Their Best of the Doobies (1976) has sold more than 11 million copies - a rare "diamond record." The Doobies propulsive roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven style has sold more than 30 million albums overall and their set list is the soundtrack to the 1970s and '80s including Black Water, What a Fool Believes, China Grove, Takin' It to the Streets, The Doctor and many more.
Opening their show is up-and-coming pop chanteuse Lara Johnston.
Sarah McLauchlan shines on. The ethereal singer-songwriter has been called a national treasure and a hero for women in music. She has a long list of hits, she has carved her persona into popular culture, and she is touring the world on the strength of her latest album Shine On. She performs at CN Centre on October 25.
