The annual summer Concerts in the Park series returns to Memorial Park this weekend.
Free concerts will be held every Saturday, in conjunction with the Hope Mountain Market, throughout July and August from 12-2 p.m. at the band shell.
The 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 each concert along with ice donated by Buy & Save Foods.
“We’ve tried to provide a variety of artists this year. I think it will be very successful,” said Pas Pascucci, a director with the Hope & District Arts Council. “It gives an opportunity for local and rural musicians to perform and for people to hear live music.”
Chawathil Elder Patricia John will give a blessing on July 6 before performances by M’Girl and No Time Flat.
M’Girl is an ensemble of Indigenous women with songs about the gifts received from mother earth. M’Girls’ percussive-based Aboriginal hand drum songs blend their harmonies into a contemporary, gospel style. Led by Renae Morriseau, their music reflects the personal journeys and cultural worldviews held respectfully by each M’Girl. The group also consists of Tracey Weitzel, Una-Ann Moyer, Jenifer Brousseau, Tiffany Moses, and Tiare LaPorte. M’Girl continues to share songs of Anishnabe, Cree, Dene, Metis, Saulteaux, Tahltan and Tlingit Nations.
No Time Flat is a local four-piece band playing jazz, swing, ballads and blues music from the “American Songbook” collection as well as Canadian hits. Material covered includes songs by Diana Krall, Mike Buble, Gershwin, Porter Berlin, Ellington, the Beatles, and Stevie Wonder. The group is led by John B.Young on keyboard. No Time Flat will have a surprise guest joining the second half of their set.
The lineup this summer includes Taylor Bellows, The Four Tunes, Thomas Jones, Hope Community Choir, Kazemon, Swamp Water, Crossfire, Simon Nam, Shades O’ Grey with guest Matt Pade, Maxx Cherry, and The Crew.
For more information about the concert series, call 604-869-3400 or visit www.hopedistrictartscouncil.com.