Agassiz Harrison Historical Society “Heritage 150 in the Park”

When

Jul 19

Location

Pioneer Park, 7011-7167 Pioneer Ave, Agassiz, BC, Canada, V0M 1A0

Contact

Shannon Bettles Manager/ Curator

shannonbettles@shaw.ca

604- 796-3545,

http://agassizharrisonmuseum.org/events-calendar/

Details

A Canada 150 heritage-themed music series is coming to Agassiz’s Pioneer Park for three Wednesday evenings this July and August. The free outdoor concerts are called Heritage 150 in the Park and feature bands: The Maybelles (Chilliwack), 5 on a String (Vancouver), and Rio Samaya (Vancouver) performing from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. This initiative is made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society, the District of Kent, the Government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders from coast to coast to coast. Community supporters include the Lion’s Club, Agassiz-Harrison Chamber of Commerce, Star FM and the Agassiz-Harrison Observer.

H150Park

In addition to the musical entertainment, the event will include kid’s crafts and highlight the work of local community groups. The public is welcomed to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the family friendly music, which will take place adjacent to the Aberdeen Centre (Harrison-Observer building) in Pioneer Park.

July 19 – The Maybelles are an all-girl band that grew out of a love for musical theatre. The group was brought together with the idea of exclusively performing 1960’s girl group hits. After a year of performing many diverse venues and events in the Fraser Valley, their reportoire has expanded to include Motown, rock, soul and even some jazz all from a decade that saw great change in the world and in music, the 1960s.

Maybelles
August 2 – “5 on a String” is one of B.C.’s most popular and longest running bluegrass bands. Formed in 1989 this five-man group has some major picking power and promises an exciting, family friendly show. A recent review by Arts and Entertainment editor Alex Browne of the Peace Arch News (White Rock B.C.) stated, “In a 20 year plus history, the members of 5 on a String have continued to honor the historic roots of bluegrass music by bringing their own energy to the classic sounds of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. A tight band with an excellent vocal harmony blend and mesmerizing solo picking skills.”

The band does not stray far from the traditional bluegrass mold with the typical lineup of acoustic Bass, flat top guitar, mandolin, 5-string banjo, and fiddle. The material is mostly traditional too, with a few bluegrass-style original songs and the occasional foray into old style country music like Merle Haggard and even one from Fats Domino.

Five on a String

August 16 – The band Rio Samaya (also known as Pancho and Sal) have a sound that is uniquely South American, rich in history and positive vibrations. While some songs are covers of folk, rhumba and world favorites, many of their songs are originals written by Rio who plays acoustic guitar, ukulele, charango, harmonica and quena with his wife Samaya who provides shaker rhythms, accordion melodies and high vocal harmonies. Their music is authentic, distinctive, refreshing and uplifting.

Rio Samya

Cost

Free