A Hope-based duo are taking over the Memorial Park stage this Saturday.
Art and Darlene Boucher started the band Crossfire two years ago and offer something for everyone, performing lively dance music from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, as well as rockabilly and early and new country hits.
They have played music at venues such as the Hope Legion, service clubs all over B.C., Merritt Rodeo Days opening for Kenny Hess, and at many public and private dances.
Art has been involved with music for most of his life, starting out as a drummer and then moving on to lead guitar while in the navy. He played in a band during the 1970s and 1980s called Northern Lights on Vancouver Island.
Darlene has played guitar since she was 15. She started performing with Mountain Express 11 years ago.
Pianist Simon Nam, owner of Colonial 900 Motel, will join Crossfire for Saturday’s free concert.
Nam moved to Hope in 1991 with his extended family from overseas and graduated from Hope Secondary School in 1994. In 1996, he graduated from Capilano College, in music education, and then earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Northern Colorado.
Nam has performed in lounges and restaurants throughout B.C. and the United States.
He is inspired by jazz pianist John Cullen and one of his thrills was hearing Gino Vanelli sing in Italian at a local italian restaurant in Montreal.
The concert on Aug. 3 takes place in conjunction with the Hope Mountain Market from 12-2 p.m. at the band shell. The summer Concerts in the Park series is presented by the Hope & District Arts Council, with funding from the province through B.C. Gaming.
Bottles of water donated by Nestle Waters will be distributed for free at the concert along with ice donated by Buy & Save Foods.
For more information, call 604-869-3400 or visit www.hopedistrictartscouncil.com.