February turned out to be a busy one for our Arts Ministry. Alongside our regular Tuesday Night Jazz series, we’ve been quietly filling the calendar with a few extra gatherings, concerts, and creative moments. Perhaps Kelby MacNayr — our Arts Minister, who now spends his Tuesdays in Vancouver working on his master’s degree — simply missed us too much ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes, we know the weather feels almost like summer and the outdoors is calling… but we still hope you’ll wander in for some good jazz, good company, and a little inspiration for the spirit.

Our Shrove Tuesday — also known as Mardi Gras — celebration has finally taken its full shape, so here’s what the evening will look like from the first pancake to the last note of jazz.

5:00 – 5:30 pm

We’ll begin the festivities with a New Orleans–style Dixieland parade, marching from Thrifty Foods to James Bay United Church.

5:30 – 6:45 pm 

After the parade, gather at the Lower Hall of our church for a classic Shrove Tuesday pancake supper with all the fixings. 

During the supper, Brooke Maxwell will be entertaining us on the piano downstairs, while upstairs in the Sanctuary Greg Shea keeps the jazz flowing — so feel free to wander between floors before the main show begins at 7:00 pm. (A friendly note: in recent weeks Tuesday Night Jazz seats have been fully taken as early as 6:30!)

7:00 – 8:30 pm

The evening wouldn’t be complete without a Tuesday Night Jazz Mardi Gras Concert!

On this night, trumpeter Daniel Lapp returns to join us for a very special All-Star traditional jazz party — a Shrove Tuesday celebration like no other! An outstanding septet brings the sound of New Orleans to life, also featuring special guest trombonist Brad Shigeta, clarinettist Al Pease, pianist Toni Blodgett, bassist Scott White, guitarist Avram McCagherty, and drummer Kelby MacNayr.

Come early, enjoy the pancakes and music throughout the building, then settle in for a festive Mardi Gras night together.

Our February matinee series continues! Join us on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 pm for the second concert in our Celebrating Black History Month series.

The Great American Songbook Trio — Ms. Louise Rose (piano & vocals), Joey Smith (bass), and Kelby MacNayr (drums) — will guide us through a musical journey exploring the history and legacy of Black music in North America, told through stories and songs.

The Arts Ministry often explores creativity through music — but the arts can also arrive through movement, breath, and stillness. Each form fills us in its own way: inviting reflection, stirring emotions, and awakening inner inspiration. This time, we celebrate through a different kind of practice.

Join us for a very special Chinese New Year gathering on Sunday, February 22 at 5:00 pm in our Lower Hall.

Master Eric Tuttle will offer a Qigong workshop, including the Six Healing Sounds and Big Regulation of Breathing.

In honour of Chinese New Year, we will also share tea and snacks. Vegan snacks to share are warmly welcomed.

Admission is free!

Our Celebrating Black History Month series continues with the final special matinee — we’re still deciding whether it will be February 28 or March 1 (so for now let’s just consider it February 29!) — but it will definitely happen at 2:00 pm.

Join virtuoso Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas for a concert celebrating Black History Month through music of the Americas.

Pianist, composer, arranger, and band leader Pablo Cardenas is a highly respected musician specializing in Cuban popular and traditional music, as well as classical and jazz traditions from across the Americas.

Joining him are longtime musical collaborators English left-handed electric bassist Peter Douse and drummer Kelby MacNayr, with special guest percussionist Israel “Toto” Barriel from Matanzas, Cuba.