The Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay is getting a facelift, but the process is far from over.
So, to help keep the projects rolling, the hall will host the Reggae Sunsplash dance featuring Vancouver’s Fredlocks Asher & The Ultra Flex Crew on July 4.
“We want to make it (the hall) a vibrant heart of the community,” said Sheena McCorquodale, president of the Lighthouse Community Hall Board Society.
Although often classified as simply a reggae group, Fredlocks Asher & The Ultra Flex Crew also has plenty of dancehall, folk, jungle and hip hop influences.
In fact, Asher explained that this flexibility with genres, and guest artists, is why the group took on the name Ultra Flex Crew.
“We try to go beyond boundaries,” he said. “Our music celebrates life for everyone.”
While touring, however, the group usually works as a five-piece. For the show in Qualicum Bay, Asher will play keyboard and lead vocals, and he will be joined as usual by Cuyler Biller on lead guitar and harmonies and Mark Kamail on drums. As his brother Rasta Rueben can’t make it to the show, Ras Nikhikesh Nadar will take over bass and vocals. Also joining the crew will be young rap vocalist Kass 1, whom Asher calls “a lyrical acrobat.”
Together, Asher said the group will play a collection of fun and dynamic songs infused with messages of peace and love.
As mentioned, the dance is a fundraiser for the Lighthouse Community Hall.
“We hope to generate some much needed funds to go into our general maintenance and keep some reserved for our renovations,” said McCorquodale, who added that at one point people stopped using the building for public events because it was declining.
Over the past 10 years, however, the hall has received upgraded bathrooms and kitchen, new stage curtains, sound system and lighting; a sprung dancing floor and a fresh new painted face.
“Next on the wish list is a completely remodelled entrance and fascia,” said McCorquodale. “The goal is to create a unique West Coast building that reflects its situation between the Salish Sea and the vast wood lots behind us.”
The hall also currently has to deal with a $900 oil bill each month, which McCorquodale said the hall could possibly tackle in the future by installing solar panels on the roof.
Still, even though there is a lot more work to be done, the community has already returned to the hall since renovations began. Today, the building is used more and more for theatre events, weddings, funerals, dances and concerts. The hall also hosts the Second Sunday Market, a pancake breakfast and market on the second Sunday of each month.
The hall is located about 10 minutes from Qualicum Beach at 240 Lions Way in Qualicum Bay.
Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased online at communityhall.ca or in-person at the Salish Sea Market and Georgia Park Store in Bowser, Mulberry Bush Bookstore in Qualicum Beach and Cranky Dog Records in Parksville.
Tickets will also be available at the door for $25 each. Concert doors will open at 7 p.m.
Please note that this is an adult-only concert as there will be a cash bar available at the venue during the show. There will also be a concession selling snacks, including Jamaican patties, said McCorquodale.
For more info, visit communityhall.ca.