The Envision Twilight Concert Series continues Friday, Aug. 16 from 7 to 8 p.m., as the Blues Berries perform at this year’s Kids’ Concert at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission.
In the past dozen years the Blues Berries have performed more than 1,000 school concerts in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Their educational performances have introduced hundreds of thousands of students to established genres of popular music through programs such as The History of the Blues, Jazz in the Gym, and A History of Rock and Roll.
This four-piece ensemble comprises upright bass, guitar, drums, and sax. They created Jazz, Jive, and Wail to introduce elementary and secondary school audiences to up-tempo, danceable blues and jazz styles, as well as artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Ray Charles to Stevie Ray Vaughn. Through their performances, young audiences learn how to recognize a call-and-response, listen to a solo, and even how to jive.
On Aug. 21, also from 7 to 8 p.m., Deanna Knight and the Hot Club of Mars come to the park.
This Vancouver-based band has been swinging for years, though things really started heating up when performance songwriter Deanna “D” Knight arrived in 2002. A lovely and talented chanteuse, “D” adds a magic sparkle that really brings these wonderful old tunes to life with style, power and grace. She also writes her originals with as much depth and pizzazz as when she delivers them.
Between them, the Hot Club of Mars encompasses over a century of performing experience. Acoustic bassist Charlie Knowles “kicks the cat” with finesse while guitarist Steve “Bugzy” Szabo keeps the rhythms chugging. Michael Dunn and new arrival Don Kellett spin their sweet Djangoesque lines on lead slide and guitars, and Mark Dowding keeps the winds blowing hot. Violinist Tom Neville rounds out the sound to a full acoustic orchestra of roots jazz.
Admission to the concerts is free, but donations are appreciated.
For more information, including the full concert schedule, call 604-826-0277, email twilightconcerts.mission@gmail.com or visit heritagepark-mission.ca.