Concerts Denman
The Denman Island Arts & Craft Society is
proud to present the 13th Annual Concerts Denman
Series
for the 2003-2004 season! All concerts are held
at the Denman Island Community Hall and begin
at
8pm. Sumptuous desserts and refreshments are available
in the Back Hall following each performance, where
you also have the opportunity to speak with the
artists about their work. Concerts Denman's 13th
season is poised and ready to dazzle its audience
once again with an eclectic array of shows!
 Tango
Paradiso: Friday, October 10, 2003.
Vancouver's Tango Paradiso kicks off the season
on Friday, October 10th, with the passionate music
of traditional tango played with unique style by
a group of very talented and versatile musicians.
They bring with them a pair of dancers whose compelling
and seductive dance is a perfect complement to the
music. Tango Paradiso draws audiences into the sultry
and expressive realm of tango, capturing the drama
and passion of a musical form that began in the
bordellos and bars of Argentina. They perform traditional
tangos, such as a Cumparsita, dating from the early
twentieth century, as well as Nuevo Tango, the style
created by modern master Astor Piazzolla. Original
compositions and arrangements meld elements from
tango, jazz, classical and new music, which all
together creates a unique and colourful tango sound
and style for listeners. The flamboyant choreography
of the dancers add to this rich blend of musical
influences, and promises to deliver a show that
is both exciting and true to form.
"...rolling the tango ball into a different
alley" — Malcolm Perry, Vancouver
Sun
Web site: www.tangoparadiso.com
PLUS! Want to learn to tango?
Tango Paradiso's dancers are holding a tango workshop
the morning after the concert! The Introduction
to Argentinian Tango workshop is a 1-1/2 hour
session running from 10:30am to 12pm, and costing
$20 per person. Please pre-register by Thursday,
October 9 by calling Jennifer West at 335-1056.
 James
Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton: Saturday, November
1, 2003.
Saturday, November 1st will bring the very welcome
return of pianists James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton,
this time around performing a program of music for
one piano—our very own—played by four
hands. It is definitely worth getting a front row
seat for a piece of this action. Anagnoson and Kinton
have been performing as a duo piano team since 1975.
Since then they have built a solid reputation for
themselves, touring Europe several times and appearing
with orchestras and in recital halls throughout
Canada and the United States. Perennial favourites
of Denman Island's classical music lovers, they
now return for their 4th engagement with a program
that is very likely to win them new fans.
Web site: www.pianoduo.com
 Vancouver
Men's Chorus: Saturday, November 22, 2003.
On Saturday, November 22nd we welcome the 45-50
members of the Vancouver Men's Chorus. Long established
as both Canada's leading gay men's chorus and one
of the nation's premier men's choral ensembles,
they will fill our Hall with an astonishing range
of songs, featuring several very accomplished soloists.
The Vancouver Men's Chorus, comprised of a membership
of 45-50 gay men and their friends, is dedicated
to promoting community spirit and a positive image
of the gay community. They succeed—through
their powerful renditions of contemporary song combined
with the strength and splendour of the male voice.
Since their first performance in 1981 they have
attained national prominence through extensive touring,
always returning to Vancouver, however, to stage
two large-scale productions each year, as well as
numerous benefits for AIDS-related causes. Come
and hear Denman's Community Hall filled with the
sound of joy!
Web site: www.vancouvermenschorus.org
 Uzume
Taiko Ensemble: Saturday, February 21, 2004.
The first show of the New Year is on Saturday,
February 21st, when the Uzume Taiko Ensemble hits
the Denman stage. Part drumming ceremony, part jazz
improvisation, part world music sampler, if this
group doesn't shake us all out of the winter doldrums
nothing will! The Uzume Taiko Ensemble draws on
the power of Japanese drumming techniques in its
creation of a new and exciting world music. The
five members of the ensemble fuse the sounds of
the big drums with instruments from a variety of
cultures, bringing a contemporary sensibility to
an ancient art. The physicality of the performance,
added to the rhythmic pulse of the music makes for
a truly exhilarating experience.
"There is enough energy here to power a small
town, and the music is hypnotic." — Lisa
Taylor, Vancouver Sun
Web site: www.uzume.com
 the
Gryphon Trio: Saturday, March 27, 2004.
On Saturday, March 27th the Gryphon Trio will give
a performance that will be an incredible treat for
classical music lovers. The Gryphon Trio celebrated
its 10th anniversary in 2003, and is now recognized
as one of North America's foremost piano trios.
Named after the mythical creature (half-lion/half-eagle)
that reputedly guarded treasures as well as symbolizing
the connections between psychic energy and cosmic
force, the Trio "makes music worthy of its
name" (Toronto Star). Their busy performance
schedule has taken them throughout Canada, the United
States and Europe, garnering them a strong international
following. The Gryphon Trio's recordings of Haydn
Piano Trios and Mendelssohn/Dvorak Piano Trios have
received unanimous critical acclaim as well as Juno
nominations. Members Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin)
and Roman Borys (cello) are on the string faculty
at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, while
Jamie Parker (piano) is an Associate Professor of
Music at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo,
Ontario.
Web site: www.gryphontrio.com
 the
French/Simão Group: Saturday, April 17, 2004.
Rounding out the season, the French/Simão
Group will play on Saturday, April 17th. Saxophonist
David French—homegrown talent—returns
to Denman with musical partner Louis Simão,
who plays acoustic guitar. Together they make music
that combines several different genres, all flavoured
with the exotic echoes of other cultures. David
French and Louis Simão make their music at
the cultural crossroads where the samba of Brazil
meets the fado of Portugal, where the rhumba of
Cuba encounters the gnawa of Morocco. French and
Simão combine the power of folkloric roots
music with the finesse of jazz, celebrating the
sounds of the world. No stranger to Denman Island,
David French "comes home" with an impressive
amount of experience after playing saxophone with
many outstanding jazz luminaries and ensembles.
Louis Simão, on acoustic guitar, has also
performed and recorded with several groups as well
as composing and performing soundtracks for film.
As the French/Simão Group, they play with
a rhythmic intensity, their repertoire covering
a broad emotional range that will make for a full
and varied evening's entertainment. An exciting
end to an exciting season!
Ticket Information:
Tickets are available in advance ($14 adults, $8
students) at D.I. General Store (335-1193), Abraxas
Books (335-2731) & Bop City Records (Courtenay,
338-2261). $16 (adults) and $8 (students) at the
door. Series ($70 - all 6 concerts) and mini series
($38 - any 3 concerts) tickets also available; call
Darlene (335-0822) for ticket information.
Links of interest:
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