Do you know any young people looking for a safe, fun, free after school activity? The Emerge Youth Chorus is welcoming new members aged 9 to 15 years this coming Thursday September 24th.

Come meet the leadership team, Christine Chepyha and Gordon Miller, and stay for the demonstration rehearsal/open-house.

This is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents and guardians to see first hand the joy of group singing and to introduce their young people to a life-long hobby that has so many proven emotional, social and cognitive benefits.

Join us this Friday, September 25, for a special folk music concert as part of James Bay United Church’s Open House Week!

We may not make it all the way around the world, but we’ll celebrate three distinct musical traditions in one concert, under one roof:

– Zimbabwean master mbira player Garadziva Chigamba
– Renowned fiddle and guitar duo Q and Charli, bringing the sounds of Irish traditional and Acadian music
– Cuban piano virtuoso Pablo Cardenas and his Cuban Classics Quartet

Come celebrate music, culture, and the joy of gathering as a community!

Admission by donation. Suggested donation: $20. All are welcome, regardless of ability to donate.

Join us for a very special artist talk and workshop with renowned trombonist Brad Shigeta, drawing on his 40 years of performing with everyone from the Lionel Hampton Big Band to trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and more!

The workshop is appropriate for beginners through to professional musicians, as well as anyone interested in learning more about jazz and the art of self-expression.

Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome. Instrumentalists, please bring your instruments.

Suggested donation: $10–$20.

Join us for a swing dance featuring a collective of swing all-stars under the banner of Kelby MacNayr’s Swing Rhythm Kings!

Featuring renowned trumpet player and bandleader Simon Stribling, legendary trombonist from the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras Brad Shigeta, and clarinetist Al Pease, with organist Dr. Tony Genge and drummer/vocalist Kelby MacNayr!

6:30–7:00 pm: A special introductory dance lesson — everyone welcome
7:00–9:00 pm: Live music

Suggested donation: $20. All are welcome, regardless of funds.

Featuring legendary clarinetist Lloyd Arntzen, who has just turned 99 (!), pianist Tommy Vickery, the “grandfather of jazz in Victoria,” bassist Joey Smith, one of our elder statesmen of jazz, and renowned drummer Matt Pease.

Lloyd Arntzen hails from small-town Saskatchewan but speaks the language of New Orleans through the music of Sidney Bechet and Johnny Dodds. At 99, Lloyd has been playing traditional jazz professionally for over 70 years, leading bands and collaborating with some of the finest artists in Canada and around the world.

Lloyd also had the distinct honour of welcoming the great Louis Armstrong to Vancouver in the 1960s and has been a favourite of traditional jazz fans on the West Coast for decades.

Introductory swing lesson at 1:30 pm – no experience required!

Admission by donation ($20 suggested). ALL are welcome, regardless of funds.

Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church presents the Daniel Janke Trio!

Join us for a very special Tuesday Night Jazz as we welcome Whitehorse pianist and composer Daniel Janke, alongside drummer Cyril Lojda and virtuoso bassist Scott White.

For the past two decades, Daniel Janke has pursued an international career performing and recording original works for solo piano and piano trio.

A gifted composer and improviser, Janke brings a unique compositional perspective to his work as a bandleader and collaborator. His music is both rhythmic and textural, rooted in tradition while boldly exploring new territory.

Admission by donation ($20 suggested). ALL are welcome, regardless of funds!