Jeni’s Picks for the week ahead Dear Picks People… an eventful week!   A few notables listed here. And as usual, please check with venues for any last minute changes/cancellations. The Heatley – Adventures in Steel Guitar #9 – Instrumentals By Donation December 5, 2017 8:00 pm The fifth installment of “Adventures in Steel Guitar” is not focused on the repertoire of any particular steel player but instead  some  favorite steel instrumentals like Santo and Johnny’s “Sleepwalk”, Herb Remington’s “Remington Ride” and Speedy West’s “Steelin’ Moonlight”, as well as tunes recorded by The Buckaroos, Jimmie Rivers and Vance Terry, James Burton and Ralph Mooney, Jimmy Bryant, and Robert Randolph. Scott Smith – steel guitar Paul Pigat – guitar Jeremy Holmes – bass Liam MacDonald – drums Gold Saucer -Romain Solo + Eeks + Wylie/Fredriksson + Wallgrin • December 5, 2017 9:00 pm Sawdust Collector presents …       Kevin Romain – Solo Drums EEKS Emma Postl – Voice Kevin Romain – Drums Ben Wylie – Composer/Instrument Builder Emmalena Fredriksson – Dance WALLGRIN Tegan Wahlgren – Violin/Vocals $10 at the door Provence Marinaside – Hip Pocket with Diane Lines Free event December 6, 2017 6:00 pm Hip Pocket Trio with special guest Diane Lines Adam Rohrlick: electric guitar & tenor saxophone Brent Gubbels: acoustic bass Diane Lines: keyboards & vocals Tangent Cafe – Rubber Band with Dave Taylor By Donation December 6, 2017 8:00 pm It’s the first Wednesday of the month and  Dave Taylor is the featured guest this month Ben Henriques – Saxes Dave Taylor – Guitar James Meger – Bass Nick James – Drums/Vocals China Cloud – Invisible Taste Wednesdays – Cosmic Christmas Edition Pay-what-you-can December 6, 2017 10:00 pm   STAR SYSTEM CURATION SOCIETY presents: INVISIBLE TASTE W E D N E S D A Y S China Cloud’s ONLY weekly program featuring some of Vancouver’s best new music and artistry. Mili Hong & Lisa Cay Miller Duo! A brand new project, born just for this very night. John Gross/David Sikula/James Meger/Daniel Gaucher John Gross joins the long standing trio of Meger/Sikula/Gaucher for improvisations and tunes. Gastown – Yule Duel- Carolling for a Cause Free event December 7, 2017 6:00 pm Discover a unique carolling experience on the streets of Gastown as dozens of choirs perform new and classic songs in a variety of styles. Sing along as the best in show go head-to-head in a series of sing-offs and cheer on your favourites as they compete for awards from celebrity judges. All proceeds benefit May’s Place Hospice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Including guest performances from The Carnival Band, Jen Hodge, Marcus Mosely Chorale Anza Club – The Guitar Cabaret with Paul Pigat December 7, 2017 7:00 pm The Guitar Cabaret series with host, the internationally renowned singer songwriter and guitar virtuoso, Paul Pigat. The  Cabaret pairs Paul with a wide range of guitar-slinging guests.   In this instalment,  Paul Rigby joins Paul Pigat on stage, accompanied by Jesse Cahill on drums and Jeff Gamon on bass.   Pigby!!! Tickets $15 Strange Fellows Brewing – Sarabande Pub Night By Donation December 7, 2017 8:00 pm Hosted by Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus and Youth Choirs and Vancouver Bach Choir Sarabande Chamber Choir, led by conductor Shane Raman will present an evening of traditional and new carols and holiday arrangements for your listening pleasure. Enjoy a great pint of beer and some fantastic music with friends and family Jazz at Tangent Cafe – Bill Coon Trio By Donation December 7, 2017 8:30 pm Guitarist and composer Bill Coon has worked with everyone from Jimmy Heath to K-OS. Drawing from his vast repertoire of original tunes, arrangements and jazz standards, Bill’s trio explores dynamic interplay and improvisation. With John Hyde – bass and Buff Allen – drums Falconetti’s – Bonnie Northgraves Trio By Donation December 7, 2017 9:00 pm The Bonnie Northgraves trio will be serving some sizzling Smokey jazz.  Original tunes from Bonnie’s upcoming record, and some great standards pair perfectly with the variety of beer on tap and specialty sausages!  There may be dancing on the upper level. Copies if the New Company B EP for sale as well : ) incase you missed the release party! Frankie’s – From New York: Champion Fulton This event runs from December 8, 2017 until December 9, 2017.  A world class jazz pianist and vocalist with international acclaim, Champian began her professional career at the age of 10 performing at Clark Terry’s 75th birthday party. Today her piano and voice skills are widely recognized by peers and critics as possessing distinction and sophistication. Her swinging style and charismatic performances have made her a guardian of the legacy of jazz on a world stage. With Cory Weeds tenor saxophone, Paul Rushka bass, and Julian MacDonough drums. $20 cover. Q.E. Theatre – Universal Gospel Choir: Peace on Earth December 9, 2017 3:00 pm Eighty voices strong – Vancouver’s beloved and longest-lived gospel choir – Universal Gospel Choir PEACE ON EARTH, the choir’s annual Yule concert  will be bigger and better than ever with musical selections that will take audiences on an emotional journey. Audiences can expect energizing and invigorating arrangements, pieces that touch the heartstrings, some surprising pop songs mixed in, and of course all wrapped up in feet stomping soul.  Tickets $40/$35/30 Jazz @ The Pat – Jennifer Scott Quartet Free event December 9, 2017 3:00 pm Jennifer Scott is a singer and pianist born in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She specializes in jazz, blues, and world music. She is considered one of the more important jazz artists working in Canada  today. Jennifer Scott – vocals & piano Rene Worst – bass Bernie Arai – drums Dave Sikula – guitar Railway Stage – Modelos 11th Annual Foodbank Fundraiser December 9, 2017 7:00 pm The Modelos have been hosting the Food Bank fundraiser for 11 years with the help of many  musical friends, raising thousands of dollars and truck loads of food with ALL proceeds going directly to The Greater Vancouver Food Bank.     The Modelos https://www.the-modelos.com/ The Rocket Revellers http://rocketrevellers.com/ Steve Kozak https://www.stevekozakband.com/ Ana Bon-Bon https://www.anabonbon.com/ The Enablers https://www.facebook.com/enablerscanada/ Sandy Bone & the Breakdown http://sandybone.com/                                                                                                                                                                          Plus many special guests! $10 entry with a non-perishable food donation Blue Martini – Dutch Robinson Quartet Free event December 9, 2017 8:00 pm Dutch “Teddy” Robinson is a singer, songwriter, music producer and actor. From South Bronx, NY, he was one of the original lead singers with the Ohio Players. After leaving the Players, Dutch went on to produce such hits as “I Ain’t Got Nothin” (later to be sampled by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony in 2002 for “Money Money”), and “Can’t Get Along Without You”.  Native of New York, USA, he moved to Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1980s, then to Montreal in the early 2000s. While in Montreal, he performed with Cirque du Soleil’s “Drum”. In 2010, he performed in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. With Ron Johnston – piano, Cameron Hood – bass, Buff Allen – drums St.James Hall – Cool Yule with Van Django & special guests December 9, 2017 8:00 pm Rogue Folk Club presents… Renowned for the quality of their musicianship and as great entertainers, Van Django‘s variety show is a festive Christmas mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, pop tunes, classical elements, and sing-alongs, plus a few surprises – all delivered in swinging gypsy jazz style. Folks of all ages can celebrate the season at this fun and festive yule-time show. Joining Van Django’s violinist Cameron Wilson, guitarist Budge Schachte, guitarist/cellist Finn Manniche and bassist Brent Gubbels with guests harmonica virtuoso Keith Bennett, and stellar vocalist L.J. Mounteney. Tickets $26/22 at Highlife & Tapestry and online Emerald Supper Club – 3rd Annual Sunday Soul Brunch December 10, 2017 10:30 am Third annual brunch, once again featuring a great brunch buffet of Southern classics and the incredible musical stylings of Dawn Pemberton and The Good Almighty! Vibrant, genuine and soulful, Dawn Pemberton crafts her music with a sense of adventure, quirkness and serious groove, and shapes it into her own unique and dynamic package. Tight, expressive and bold, Dawn will hit you where it counts, funk you up and make you say “Go ‘head!” Brunch and music? This is not your average Sunday morning. Tickets $36 St. Andrews Wesley – Jazz Vespers – Candus Churchill Merry Christmas By Donation December 10, 2017 4:00 pm Vibrant songstress Candus Churchill invites you to A Merry Christmas Vespers! Christmastime is here, Our favorite time of year, Come for some musical cheer! And fill your soul with the inspirational spoken word and prayer of Reverend Gary Paterson. Candus will be joined by the fabulous Bill Sample (Piano), Dave Say (Saxophone), Brian Newcombe (Bass), Olaf de Shield (Guitar), and Craig White (Drums). Vancity Theatre – Faces Places December 10, 2017 4:45 pm The great Agnès Varda, now 89, hits the road in a van with superstar French photographer JR, 55 years her junior, in search of the people and their villages–the faces and the places–that define rural France and make it what it is. Varda, who is short and plump and given to matronly outfits, and JR, who is long and lean and never without his trademark fedora and sunglasses, make for the definitive big screen odd couple, yet the warmth they share is both genuine and infectious–and often very funny. As the two artists travel the countryside, inviting villagers to pose for JRs camera–the massive prints he produces in the back of the van are then affixed to various buildings–a poignant note is injected when we learn that Varda is losing her sight, which is perhaps one reason for her insatiable curiosity and her desire to capture each passing moment. This is one road movie that really does celebrate the transformative power of art, and our two wise and witty tour guides make for unforgettable hosts. Tickets $12/10 Jazz at Tangent Cafe – James Danderfer Trio By Donation December 10, 2017 6:00 pm A prolific bandleader, clarinetist James Danderfer’s groups range from a trio to a big funky band (The Hummingbird Brigade). Equally adept at playing standards and his own compositions, there should be a healthy mix.   With Oliver Gannon on guitar and Jeff Gammon on bass. Pacific Cinematheque – Nahid December 10, 2017 7:00 pm Contemporary Iranian Cinema Series presents Nahid Iran’s unusual concept of “temporary marriage” is the backdrop to emerging writer-director Ida Panahandeh’s emotionally rich drama, awarded the Avenir (“future”) prize in the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes in 2015. Sareh Bayat (caretaker Razieh in Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar-winning A Separation) plays eponymous Nahid, a debt-ridden divorcee and single mom struggling in a coastal town in northern Iran. A romance with Masoud (Pejman Bazeghi), a decent, well-off widower, offers Nahid the prospect of stability and happiness. But remarriage will violate the terms of her child custody settlement with Ahmad (Navid Mohammadzadeh), her deadbeat ex-husband.  Tickets $12/$10   Libra Room – Jesse Waldman & friends By Donation This event runs from September 24, 2017 until December 10, 2017.   The Libra Room is back! And so is Jesse Waldman on Sunday evenings.  He will be appearing with either Marc L’Esperance, Noah Walker and/or other special guests each week. Libra Room – John Korsrud Latin Band By Donation This event runs from November 13, 2017 until December 18, 2017. Starting on November 13, every Monday John Korsrud (Goma Dura/Hard Rubber Orchestra) and some of Vancouver’s finest Latin music players will be in residency at the Libra Room WISE Hall – Petunia & The Vipers By Donation This event runs from November 6, 2017 until December 18, 2017. Petunia & The Vipers every Monday in the Lounge all winter long! Mondays are the new Fridays!   A man rooted in as much talent as mystery, Petunia is a Canadian country treasure. His illustrious career began with busking his way through Canada and the NYC subways, playing over 150 shows a year to enthralled audiences. Since then, he has racked up the achievements with several celebrated solo releases and frequent tours spanning continents. Alone, Petunia is a talent unapologetically shocking fans with his versatility. Together with his Vancouver-based backing band, The Vipers, he is a fireball ripping and roaring with eclectic instrumentation and an energy only attainable through big band camaraderie. --

"Jeni's Picks" is a curated list of eclectic events that I feel are of particular interest to my readership. If you know of an event of interest, let me know and I'll consider it for inclusion.

Jeni Mastin, JenisPicks.com