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Lexi Bainas column: WildWings Gala Saturday, a handful of goodies next week

From art for gift giving, to a gala to help support work at Somenos Marsh, there’s plenty on the go
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The surprising and creative metal work of Travis Rankin of Wroughtenart will be part of the Cowichan Artisans Studio Tour Nov. 2-3. (Submitted)

Paul Fletcher of the Somenos Marsh Society chimed in to remind me that the 10th annual WildWings Gala is “making an urgent appeal for people to buy tickets to our fundraiser gala next Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Birds Eye Cove Farm which sits under the shadow of Mt Tzouhalem.

”The ‘It Ain’t Easy Being Green Gala’ (Thanks Kermit) costs $125 and includes a special gourmet meal by Farm’s Gate Catering, recognized as one of the best caterers in the Valley. It also includes two glasses of Averill Creek wine one of which, Somenos, is from their special reserve collection and will be served by Averill Creek representatives. If you are not a wine connoisseur then you can get a couple of pints of Craig Street Brew Pub’s WildWings ale. We will also provide a $50 tax receipt for every ticket purchased and our greeters at the door will also be providing each guest a couple a small gifts of appreciation for your support.

”Providing quiet dinner jazz is John Wade and the WildWings Kings who will step it up after our keynote speaker’s presentation for a little dancing. Stitching the evening together is our special guest and keynote speaker, Patrick Morrow, an order of Canada recipient, the second Canadian on top of Mt. Everest in the amazing Canadian Everest ‘82 expedition and the first person in the world to summit the seven highest mountains of the seven continents. A true Canadian inspiring legend of the highest order. Lastly there will be a very unique silent auction of past collectibles that have fallen out of favour with their owners as well as art, theatre tickets and other outdoorsy, artsy things.”

Please contact paul@fletcherfoto.ca for further information or for tickets.

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Katie Daniel from Imagine That! co-operative has tossed this note up the street to the Citizen.

“Our feature artists in our display windows from Oct. 25 to Nov. 29, are Christine Reimer and Josie Bennett Cowan.

“Christine Reimer presents Expressive Colour. She is an established British Columbia artist whose professional career spans 40 years. She has a BFA in Visual Arts and a Diploma in Education (Art) from the University of Victoria. While Reimer has embraced a wide variety of genres, her best-known works are vibrantly coloured, stylized landscapes of coastal and interior B.C.

“With Josie Bennett Cowan, it’s A Retrospective. Originally from Surrey, England Josie called Cowichan Bay home since moving here in 1990. Her work as an artist was highly regarded in the Cowichan Valley, and was featured at Imagine That! for a number of years. She participated in a number of arts groups, including Saanich Pen Arts, Cherry Point Water Colour Group, Maple Bay Painters, Cowichan Valley Arts Council, and the Chemainus Sketch Group.

“Unfortunately, Josie lost a hard-fought battle with cancer and died on April 19, 2017 at the age of 84. This exhibition of her work is an opportunity to look back at selected works from her career.”

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An email from Donovan Rose reminds me that the Cowichan Artisans, a group of 13 professionals who, through experience, creativity and talent, make a living from their craft, are offering their 2019 Fall Studio Tour Nov. 2-3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

“Working together, we aim to enrich the region with a professional artistic voice that will showcase the many skilled artisans, galleries and studios of the Cowichan Valley. We invite you explore the Valley’s natural beauty and discover how our creative worlds will inspire you. You will discover the special places where our Artisans transform raw materials into original personal creations using the specialized tools and traditional practices of their craft,” he says.

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The Cowichan Musical Society — that gang that has presented high quality Broadway musicals to Valley music lovers for more than 30 years — are holding a special fundraiser entitled Musicals Around the World on Saturday, Nov. 2 starting at 6 p.m. at the Cobble Hill Hall.

There will be live entertainment, a silent auction, and lots of fun, they promise. Catering is by Chef Jamie Johnstone and Holy Cow Indian Eats. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets are $50 each. They must be paid for in advance via e-transfer to cowichanmusicalsociety@gmail.com or by making arrangements for cheque or VISA with Sue Elo at the same email address.