Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

"Allison Crowe's voice is as much a manifestation of Christmas spirit today as Bing Crosby's was in 1942," says arts journo Stephen Smysnuik. "It's as warm as an open fire; as gorgeous as snow-frosted evergreens; as tender as that hug you give your mother on Christmas day." ChristmasReviews sums up: "Be prepared to be amazed."

Allison Crowe’s singularity carries her across the globe and into such company as the Master of the Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Britain’s Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, and tours with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Thrilling, fun, and moving, the Nanaimo-born musician, traverses Europe and Canada from home-base in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, earning hoorays even from Hollywood where appreciative movie Director Zack Snyder called her to cameo in the latest Superman blockbuster.

"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life,” says veteran broadcaster Ross Hocker (WGTE/NPR). “I have been to hundreds of concerts of all sorts of music, but nothing like Allison Crowe! She is fantastico!” He adds, “Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit. She also has a most wonderful humor which envelops her audience."

Delivering comfort and joys, Allison Crowe’s Tidings Concert stirs together traditional Christmas and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, and soul. "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. Crowe’s marvelous voice, guitar and piano ring out The First Noel, In the Bleak Midwinter, O Holy Night and more carols alongside a modern canon: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Patty Griffin and her own original song selections from elegiac to foot-stomping.

Shauna Janz, Vancouver Island singer-songwriter, opens this evening of musical magic. With a captivating voice, soulful lyrics, and unique guitar tunings weaving beautiful melodies, Shauna’ s performance has been described as “stunning and memorable”. She is currently recording an EP anticipated to be released before November’s end – keep updated at http://www.shaunajanzmusic.com

Join us for Tidings - a concert to warm a Winter’s night and aid two dedicated, hard-working, Victoria-based non-profits, Artemis Place, (girls’ educational and life skills), and HepCBC. Music for the season and all time!

Artemis - http://www.artemisplace.org + http://www.facebook.com/ArtemisPlace – is named after the Greek goddess of the hunt who served to protect young women – and, for decades, it’s been providing an holistic, compassionate, and nurturing community where girls can enjoy success, develop resiliency, and receive help with social/emotional issues while continuing schooling. Artemis also has a child care centre that gives a nurturing start to the infants and toddlers of young mothers, models care-giving skills, and supports each mom in her parenting. Artemis' Place for Girls Secondary School and its Young Parent Program are currently in two separate locations and the society’s goal now is to find a new location and combine the programs under one roof. Lisa Ellis, Executive Director, and her team at Artemis Place are committed to tapping the potential of the most at-risk girls in our community and helping them to transform their lives via “Compassion, Power, Respect”. (Along with info and videos on Artemis’ home-site – YouTube offers: “Artemis Place Heart Work Movie” @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvuiMYSrbYw ; and “The Artemis Effect: When Girls Talk Back” @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZziNvgkidM )

HepCBC - http://hepcbc.ca + http://www.facebook.com/pages/HepCBC/274985724940 - provides support to those living with Hepatitis C Virus. Worldwide, it’s estimated 150 million or more people have chronic Hepatitis C – and in Canada, 8 out 1000, some 245,000 people in total - and approximately 20-25% of those infected don’t know it yet. When rock musician Lou Reed died recently from liver failure, after a long battle with Hep C, a spate of global news stories brought discussion of HCV to the fore. Victoria-based HepCBC has been dedicated to this mission since 1996. It assists: through a support group, phone support, website, & pamphlets - for HCV+ individuals undergoing recent diagnosis, treatment, liver transplant, chronic or advanced HCV; those who want to discuss upcoming treatment, alternative treatments incl. diet, supplements, exercise. HepCBC is also here to support family, friends, caregivers. And the society offers education/prevention services through its lending library, prison & community outreach – including anti-stigma, awareness and prevention activities such as parades, health fairs, and marathon groups. HepCBC’s primarily-volunteer group also cooperates with medical and pharmaceutical professionals, plus Canadian and international HCV groups.

http://music.allisoncrowe.com/album/tidings

Wishing you peace, joy & good health!