The new year brings diverse and exciting music and events to BlueShore Financial Centre for the Arts at Capilano University.
The concert line-up launches on Jan. 23 when the extraordinary singer-songwriter Maryna Krut graces the stage. Krut is a virtuoso of the 64-stringed bandura, a harp-like instrument unique to her homeland Ukraine. The globally praised musician sings gorgeously moving songs that blend traditional Ukrainian folk with modern sounds.
Experience a dynamic, interactive celebration of African music, capoeira and dance at Celebrate Africa!, on Jan. 31. Performers include the large African band Adanu Habobo, led by Kofi Gbolonyo and Curtis Andrews, CapU African Ensemble, C Band, and Percussion Ensemble, faculty talents Parmela Attariwala, Dave Robbins, Daniel Hersog, Jared Burrows and Steve Kaldestad and visiting luminaries.
Reimagining Baroque music through Indigenous voices
Indigenous composer Andrew Balfour and musica intima present Nagamo on Feb. 2, a captivating performance that reimagines Baroque music through an Indigenous lens. This Juno-nominated project features works by William Byrd, Henry Purcell and Thomas Tallis, transformed by Balfour into Cree and Ojibway compositions.
Phenomenal banjo player and singer-songwriter powerhouse Kaia Kater brings her unique folk sound to the stage, Feb. 11. The Juno nominee’s acclaimed album Strange Medicine features Taj Mahal, Allison Russell and others. The show will take place at Vancouver’s York Theatre.
For prog-rock fans, Swiss outfit Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin pushes boundaries, on Feb. 25, blending funk, new classical music and elements of Japanese ritual music. The insistent rhythms also suggest the minimalism of Steve Reich. Bärtsch has called their style "zen-funk."
Big band leader, saxophonist and two-time Juno Award-winner Christine Jensen leads CapU Jazz ensembles in a dazzling program of originals and choice covers, on Feb. 28.
Global sounds and collaboration
On March 31, BlueShore at CapU welcomes genre-spanning jazz-folk-Anatolian band Sissoko Segal Parisien Peirani: Les Égarés. The highly acclaimed group features Malian kora maverick Ballaké Sissoko, France’s renowned cellist Vincent Segal, accordion virtuoso Vincent Peirani and soprano saxophonist Émile Parisien, whose voice-like playing echoes the great Sidney Bechet. The Guardian raves that their 2023 self-titled album is “a rare gem.”
Atlantic Jazz Collective featuring Norma Winstone and Joe LaBarbera take the stage on May 10. The Collective comprises three Juno Award-winning artists from Canada’s Atlantic region: Pianist Florian Hoefner, saxophonist Mike Murley and bassist Jim Vivian. For their first project, the Collective has invited revered UK-based vocalist Norma Winstone and legendary drummer Joe LaBarbera to join them.
Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Dobet Gnahoré performs on May 11. The virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter takes the modern Afro-pop sounds of her country in exciting new directions. A 2010 Grammy Award winner, Gnahoré is well-known for her jaw-dropping dance moves, electrifying stage presence and richly emotional vocal style.
In addition, CapU Theatre presents the comedy One Man, Two Guv’nors from Feb. 12-15 followed by Alice By Heart, a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland featuring music by Canadian pop stars Heart, from March 20-29.
Unless otherwise mentioned, all shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit capilanou.ca/centre.
