PKN Lineup Revealed

January 28, 2011 | 2 comments

ArtsConnect revealed its list of presenters for PechaKucha Night Vol 2 at Water’s Edge 2011.  The event aims to promote the work of artists, entrepreneurs and other innovators in a quick slideshow format: that is, 20 images at 20 seconds each.

PKN Vol 2 will feature Miranda Anderson (Filmmaker),  Daryl Anselmo (Art Director),  Joyelle Brandt (Artist/Musician),  Diana Clark (Artistic Director, Coastal Sound Music Academy),  Susan Jesop (Artist/Educator), Francis Lemieux (Designer/Cabinet Maker),  Masha Levene (Digital Artist),  Melanie Montgomery (Owner Bossy Moms Boutique), David Pacholko (Graphic Designer),  Lisa Robinson (Salon Owner/Stylist Mint Hair Lounge),  Nick Sartore (Artistic Director Shift Performing Arts Society) and Saima Shah (Yoga Therapist).

Tags: Artists  |  Business Owners  |  Designers  |  PechaKucha  |  Water’s Edge Festival  |  WEF11

Share your love of music with the community

January 28, 2011 | 1 comment

What a pleasure to have the opportunity to hang with some enthusiastic music teachers after a day of work, in January.  We are pretty good about showing our passion for what we do every day with the kids and with each other.  And we are also good at showing what we do in our performance programs.  Tom Grant’s recommendation is for us to get out and share the love with the community, especially the people who make the decisions about the future of our programs.  The school board trustees only know what we do if their son or daughter goes to one of our schools.  We need to be excellent at what we do, and we need to know how we offer added value to our schools and communities, then communicate that with the trustees. Definitely something to talk about next time we get together. 

Talking about getting together, Malcolm Grier and I are hosting a guitar jam at the Waters Edge Music Festival at Evergreen Cultural Centre, February 25-27.  We have picked 24 Canadian songs that are very playable by many levels of guitar players and all singers.  Imagine playing guitar next to some of your favourite students from your guitar class or other music class.  That shows a huge connection with your school and community in a public setting!!  All the songs, with lyrics and chords, are attached to a link at the festival website:  www.watersedgemusic.ca.  Malcolm and I will introduce easy ways of overcoming challenging parts of each song and then lead you through.  There are opportunities for leading the singing and ripping up a solo for those who are so inclined.  Come strum along with us!

Do you have songwriters in your schools???  There are a couple of open mike sessions at the Waters Edge Festival where you and your students can play and sing their own songs, and check out the incredible talent in our district.  These singer – songwriter sessions are hosted by SONG – Songwriters of a New Generation (formerly known as SASS).  SONG is a school program that has been running in my school (Maillard) for the last several years and has created an opportunity for those kids who are so musical but don’t necessarily fit into the band or choir setting.  Come check out the talent!

Tags: All-Canadian Guitar Jam  |  Guitar Jam  |  Music Teachers  |  SONG Cafe

David Blair Cameo at Guitar Jam!

January 26, 2011 | Write a Comment

Just announced… singer/songwriter David Blair confirmed he will be making a cameo appearance at Water’s Edge All Canadian Guitar Jam to sing / lead his song “Soundtrack” with the strummers and hummers at the jam.

Here is the video of him and the song that’s at the Jam:

David Blair on YouTube

Tags: All-Canadian Guitar Jam  |  David Blair Cameo  |  Waters Edge Festival

Those Who Can, Teach!

January 26, 2011 | 1 comment

The well-known expression, “Those who can do, those who can’t teach” is up for debate from a group of local art teachers from School District 43. At one meeting, as they were planning  their upcoming exhibition in the Art Gallery at Evergreen Cultural Centre, the title “Those Who Can Teach!” resonated with the group.

Art teacher and exhibition organizer, Mike McElgunn  says, “The title is intended to be a play (and expansion) on the original saying. Those who can do art may also be your child’s teacher, or counselor, or principal, or librarian, etc.”  He adds, “The exhibition is not focused on teachers of art per se, rather we hoped to share the creativity and talent many teachers personally have and make use of in their spare time away from the classroom. “

The result will be an exhibition filled with diverse works in a wide range of media. Over eighty peices have been submitted by forty artists. It will all come together for the Water’s Edge Festival with the Opening Reception taking place on Sunday February 27th from 4pm to 6pm. The show runs to March 26, 2011.

Tags: Those Who Can Teach  |  Water’s Edge Festival  |  WEF11

Boys And Girls Singing Day

January 24, 2011 | Write a Comment

Coastal Sound Music prides itself on exceptional, innovative and creative training for choral singers.  Through their 20+ years of experience, the artistic team has come to recognize that boys and girls have unique vocal qualities, especially at that tricky middle school age. That’s why each year Coastal Sound, in cooperation with School District 43  music teachers and the Evergreen Cultural Centre, presents a day-long singing workshop focusing on each gender in grades three through eight (treble voices).  

This year Coastal Sound will present the Boys & Girls Day Singing Workshop on Friday, February 25th, 2011 as part of the Water’s Edge Festival. Up to 100 school age participants will be guided through a day of musical learning by celebrated Choral Director and Guest Clinician, Carrie Tennant. The day will conclude with a mainstage concert performance with participants singing solo and along with guest performers.

The $40 registration fee covers vocal workshops, performance coaching, art workshops at Evergreen Cultural Centre and one concert ticket-admission to the evening concert. Additional concert tickets to the evening concert are available through the Evergreen Cultural Centre  ticket box office at $10 each. 

Workshops take place at Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. Registration and Waiver Forms are available online at www.coastalsoundmusic.com. For further info, call 604-469-5973 or email info@coastalsoundmusic.com Space is limited.  Singers are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.

Tags: Carrie Tennant  |  Coastal Sound Music  |  singing  |  Water’s Edge Festival

Delightful Dee Daniels in Coquitlam

January 13, 2011 | 1 comment

Dee Daniels‘ musical career is as varied as her four-octave vocal range is thrilling.  Whether accompanying herself at the piano, fronting a trio, big band or symphony, she is a unique talent who transcends musical borders when she brings her jazz styling, infused with gospel and blues flavoring, to the stage. She has sung on stages around the world and her 2011 itinerary includes stops in Japan, New York and Coquitlam where she will teach and perform as part of the Water’s Edge Festival.

On Sunday, February 27, join Dr. Dee for a free gospel singing workshop at 10am followed by a ticketed concert performance at 2pm. Anyone who loves to sing is invited to the workshop and we encourage you to remain onsite for the concert.  In the meantime, enjoy Ms. Daniels performance in this clip.

Tags: Dee Daniels  |  Gospel workshop  |  mainstage concert

Connecting with ArtsConnect

January 12, 2011 | Write a Comment

The Water’s Edge Festival is very proud to have ArtsConnect as a new co-presenting partner for 2011. ArtsConnect, more formally known as ArtsConnect Tri-Cities Arts Council, is a non-profit society that promotes the arts and cultural awareness in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.  Under the guidance of Executive Director, Helen Daniels, ArtsConnect brings together a broad community of artists from Craft Arts and Graphic Design; to Heritage initiatives, Literary Arts and Performing Arts. 

For the Water’s Edge Festival, ArtsConnect is organizing Coquitlam’s second PechaKucha night – a networking and performance event that includes presentations made up of 20 images displayed for 20 seconds each from the creative minds in a variety of disciplines. This celebration of inspiration and ideas is scheduled for Sunday, February 27, 2011. This ticketed event includes a reception at 6 and show at 7 pm at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

Tags: ArtsConnect  |  Helen Daniels  |  PechaKucha  |  WEF11

Welcome Message from Artistic Director

January 5, 2011 | 5 comments

Welcome to Water’s Edge 2011

It is a sense of playful exploration and discovery that inspires Water’s Edge Festival, a multidisciplinary arts festival for all ages.  Located at the exquisite Evergreen Cultural Centre, with its intimate theatre and stunning lakeside setting, Water’s Edge is a place to discover, to explore and to be surprised. 

This year, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coastal Sound Music Academy and ArtsConnect have joined forces to present the festival as part of the BC Spirit Festivals.  We have expanded the programming to include dance, drama, more visual art and design, as well as music.  We are thrilled to welcome Ballet Kelowna and celebrated jazz singer Dee Daniels to the festival.  New this year:  PechaKuchaNight  highlights creative thinkers, movers and shakers.  In the Gallery, art educators are featured in the inaugural group exhibition Those who can, Teach!

We’ve lined up top-notch professional music, dance, drama and visual art educators to encourage participation in new ways: Bring a guitar and be part of the All Canadian Guitar Jam, learn how to sing Gospel with Dee Daniels, break some hip-hop moves, be part of a drum circle and much, much more and all FREE.

Students in grades 3 to 8 can participate in a Children’s Choir workshop and Day of Singing & Art.  Ballet students can work with Ballet Kelowna professionals in a Master Class.  Singer-songwriters can show their talent at the S.O.N.G café. 

With a variety of programming, there is bound to be some new music, new artists and new art genres for everyone to discover.  Check the schedule and please visit our website at www.watersedgemusic.ca where we will have the latest updates.  Many events welcome drop-ins and beginners, so please feel invited to explore some new things—to “dip your feet in”—at Water’s Edge.

Our team of Water’s Edge producers from ArtsConnect, Evergreen Cultural Centre and Coastal Sound is looking forward to meeting YOU at Water’s Edge!

Diana Clark
Artistic Director

Tags: Water’s Edge Festival  |  Welcome Message