Yearly Archives: 2006

Silk Road Music performing Aug 10 at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Gardens

Silk Road Music performing Aug 10 at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Classical Gardens

Silk Road Music is a very special musical ensemble featuring the duo of Qiu Xia He on pipa, and Andre Thibault on classical guitar.  They are truly one of pioneers of world fusion music in Vancouver.  I have gotten to know them over the past years, as Silk Road Music was featured in the CBC television performance special Gung Haggis Fat Choy, filmed in 2003.  Andre and Qiu Xia also performed at the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner events for 2004, and also the First Night event with me on Dec 31, 2004. 

Qui Xia and Andre have just returned from a tour in China and she sends this message:

Dear Friends:

We are just back from China and had a wonderful and very successful
time performing in Guangdong China. If you happen to have some time on
this Friday, please come down to Silk Road's concert at the Chinese
Garden, so we can share the stores with you and play some music.

For those of you who want to see some photos of JouTou in China, please
see this blog:
http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/joutou/

Concert information:
Silk Road Music
Chinese Garden concert Aug 11, 06
Qiu Xia He, Andre Thibault and Stefan Chihilka

A special celebration for Silk Road Music’’s new CD “Autumn Cloud”. The
show is focused on innovative compositions for the Pipa (Chinese lute),
Spanish guitar and many other world instruments that reflect the vast
musical experience of founder Qiu Xia He and Andre Thibault gathered in
Canada and in their travels. A special guest: Stefan Cihelka will join
us with his fantastic playing on the Indian drum- tabla .

Aug 11,06
Enchanted Evenings
Silk Road Music
7:30pm
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St. Vancouver BC $15/$12 for members
Tel: 604-662-3207
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

Qiiu xia He on Pipa, vocal
Andre Thibault on guitar, oud,hulusi, flute and percussion.
Stefan Chihika on tabla.

Qiu Xia He & Andre Thibault
Tel & Fax: 604-434-9316
E-mail:qxcloud@telus.net
www.silkroadmusic.ca

BC Day 2006 at Kalamalka Lake

BC Day 2006 at Kalamalka Lake


Todd on the dock, ready for a swim at Kalamalka Lake – photo Deb Martin

What better way to celebrate BC day, than by exploring BC?

I travelled to Kalamalka Lake, just south of Vernon, to swim and hang
at one of BC's most scenic lakes.  Set in the Okanagan Valley, it
is high desert country.  The picture above reminded me of my
travels in Arizona.  There are many micro-climates in the Okanagan
Valley, with rain shadows on one side of the lake contributing to
desert climate, while the other side gets the rain to water all the
ponderosa pine and other trees. 

Kalamalka Lake is a deep Lake with many interesting colour hues. 
It is known as the “lake of many colours.”  Deb says that swimming
is only good for an 8 week window, so we had to take advantage of the
warm weather.


Todd jumping, splashing and attempting to swim – photos by Deb Martin


Todd and Deb attempt synchronized swimming – photo Pat Martin



A deer enters Kalamalka Lake Park – photo Deb Martin

Public Open House at Historic Joy Kogawa House – September 17


Public Open House at Historic Joy Kogawa House – September 17


Here's the PSA about our upcoming public open house at the Historic Joy
Kogawa House. I hope everyone will be able to attend and help mingle
with the crowd. Sunday, Sept 17 was the best date for Joy's schedule
since she will be in town to speak at our AGM in Victoria the day
before. We are still working out all the smaller event details, but
this is just a start to get the word out. Please forward this on to any
special guests you would like to attend. I'll be sending this out to
the media over the next few days.

More details to come as they unfold. Please let me know if you are
planning on attending because we may need a few hands on board with
set-up, networking, and clean-up.

PSA – UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT
 
What: Public Open House at Historic Joy Kogawa House
When:   Sunday, September 17, 2006
Time:   1pm to 4pm
Where:  Historic Joy Kogawa House – 1450 West 64th Ave., Marpole neighbourhood in Vancouver
Parking:  Parking at the house is limited. Public transit is encouraged.
Admission:  By donation at the door
 
Nearly 550 people from across the globe helped The Land Conservancy
purchase the Historic Joy Kogawa House in June, and now it is time to
celebrate this accomplishment! TLC will be hosting a public open house
on Sunday, Sept 17 from 1 to 4pm for everyone to see the home before
renovations take place.
 
This is a great opportunity for Lower Mainland residents to view the
one and one-half storey bungalow where Canadian author Joy Kogawa lived
from 1937 to 1942. As a special addition to the house, guests will get
to see the original desk and typewriter that Kogawa wrote her
award-winning novel, Obasan, on. Kogawa will also be in attendance for
a scheduled book signing. All proceeds from the event will go to the
restorations and to help set up an endowment for a writers-in-residence
program.
 
The Historic Joy Kogawa House has national significance as a symbol of
the racial discrimination experienced by Japanese-Canadians as a
consequence of World War II. The house is one of the few residences
left in Vancouver that is identified as having been confiscated by the
Canadian Government and sold without the lawful owner’s permission.
 
TLC protects and cares for the places you love most in British Columbia
from wilderness areas to cultural landmarks. There is no greater gift
we can pass on to future generations than a healthy environment, and
TLC is proud to be part of the international conservation movement.
Since its inception nine years ago,  TLC has preserved more than
100,000 acres on over 150 properties throughout the province.
 
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For more information:
TLC: Heather Skydt (604) 733-2313; hskydt@conservancy.bc.ca
Save Kogawa House Committee: Ann-Marie Metten (604) 263-6586; ametten@telus.net