If you support Kwalikum Secondary School (KSS) and its excellent music program or are a fan of jazz man Phil Dwyer, you won’t want to miss Jazz Extravaganza 5: Classic Canadian Hits with a Jazz Twist.
The evening of great jazz and music takes place on Fri., March 2 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. The annual fundraiser is in support of all students enrolled in the KSS music program.
Talented students from the junior and senior bands as well as the vocal jazz group will provide the entertainment for the first part of the evening.
Multi Juno award winner Phil Dwyer will also be performing with a few of his friends. Dwyer will be performing his re-imagined repertoire of classic Canadian hits, backed by an ensemble of talented musicians, hand-picked from the west coast jazz scene. Dwyer was commissioned by CBC Radio 2 to undertake what is the Canadian Songbook Project, innovative new compositions inspired by his favourite songs, including tunes by Joni Mitchell, The Guess Who and Ian Tyson among others. Dwyer has also been nominated for a 2012 Juno Award for his orchestral jazz suite Changing Seasons.
During the musical night a three-course gourmet meal with a Spanish Moroccan theme created by chef and musician Trevor Hooper will be served.
A draw for an original Ken Kirkby oil painting appraised at $3,500, will take place in addition to a silent auction featuring a diverse array of products and services donated by local businesses and other supporters.
Concert tickets are on sale at What’s Cooking, Mulberry Bush Bookstore and Smithford’s in downtown Qualicum Beach. Tickets are $50 for dinner and the concert or $25 for the concert only. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 and the concert at 7.