Emerging Selkirk College talent will hit Nelson’s Spiritbar stage Friday for a night of eclectic music celebrating musical achievement by students of the contemporary music and technology program.
The annual year-end celebration features student-based bands who’ve been working for months to provide a night of diverse, rich and funky sounds that will get the crowd dancing.
“Our students are excited to showcase all they’ve learned this school year,” says voice and ensemble instructor Laura Landsberg. “This annual event not only gives them a chance to show off their sound, but practice the real experience of putting on a show. And as is our tradition, my fellow instructors and I are proud to take the stage with our students. It will be a lot of fun.”
Landsberg will be performing in Voiceworks, which is opening the show. This eight-person a capella singing group will show that no rhythm section is required with their “sweet melodic phrases and diverse rhythmic parts that mesh together beautifully,” she says. Voiceworks features Abhijith Kishan, Jon Qwak, Jonathan Blake, John Harder, Taryn McMaster, Sallie Salcedo, and Bethany Petch along with Landsberg.
Next up is Southern Comfort bringing music ranging from heartstring-tuggers to kick-ass country tunes that will rock the socks off. Southern Comfort features Taryn McMaster, Kayla Turnbull and Instructor Landsberg on vocals, Ana Carita Edwards on violin, Anna Katarina on keys, Davis Yates and David Hecht on guitar, Blair Ferguson on bass, Dylan Ferris on Mandolin and Brodie Parachoniak on drums.
Electric Miles presents a hard-groovin’ set of Miles Davis classics from Bitches Brew and beyond. With a unique blend of fat bass lines, funky beats, and collective improvisation, they’ll be sure to get your heart pumping and your feet pumping to the sweet beat. The band features Noah Waldie and Elijah Stepaniuk on drums and percussion, Paul Landsberg on bass, Austin Parachoniak and Davis Yates on guitars, and Lucas Burrows on keys.
Then, Rubber Soul will take the stage with a celebration of the music of The Beatles. Warmhearted and sincere, the group features the honeyed voice of Kiana Tingley, the pitch perfect pipes of Robyn Edgar, and the ever-evocative vocals and guitar of Mitchell Hahn. Holding down the grooves are Austin Eagle on guitar, Tomas Caldwell on bass and C.J. Mallette on drums. Led by voice and ensemble instructor Melody Diachun, Rubber Soul will take everyone on a magical mystery tour and turn the crowd into de facto Baby Boomers.
Ami and the Blues Boys will follow presenting classic and current, stick-to-your-bones, blues music. Powerhouse vocals by Ami Cheon, also on keys, Brodie Parachoniak on drums, Mark Spielman on bass, Tyson Robb and Gord Watt on guitar will leave you wanting a second helping.
Ensemble XIII will be takin’ it up to the roof to close the show. Presenting a transcendent blast on the edge chill and dance hall classics to be, the ensemble includes Abhijith Kishan, Sophie MP, Bethany Petch and Emilaea Woodwollf on vocals, Aybars Savat on drums, Wesley Hughs on bass, Branden Green and Trevor Unruh on guitar and John Tucker on keys.
Doors open for the year-end Celebration show at 8 p.m. with music starting about 9 p.m.