Talent lines up for twilight stage
Canadian singer Yael Wand is the latest musician to perform on Mission’s twilight stage. Wand will perform on July 10 at 7 p.m.
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The Envision Twilight Concert Series is presenting, for the first time, Yael Wand at Fraser River Heritage Park on Friday, July 10 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Joyful, earthy and delightfully free of pretense, Wand is a breath of fresh air on the Canadian singer-songwriter scene.
Based in a rustic home in a small town in northern B.C., the Israeli-Canadian environmental studies graduate creates a distinctive acoustic roots music that radiates the simplicity, vitality and bliss of mountain life.
Her unique sound draws from a variety of traditional forms – Appalachian, Celtic and Israeli folk to name a few – and adds a touch of jazzy sophistication and global instrumentation.
Her mezzo soprano voice is as pure and clear as the air in her Barkerville home, and her arrangements are spacious and rootsy.
On her latest CD, At Your Door, guests Ken Whiteley and Jesse Zubot provide occasional touches of mandolin and fiddle.
Wand’s repertoire features stylish urban lullabies alongside tales from rustic cabins in the backwoods. She navigates the political terrain of the Middle East with the same ease and passion as she does the wilderness of the Canadian west.
Her definitive statement on her homeland comes in the form of Jerusalem from her debut album Antinomy, a powerful lament for the city she describes as “a touch of heaven, a touch of sacred ground, and – a sea of salt tears that the angels have cried.”
For the past five years, Wand has pursued her music career in much the same way she lives the rest of her life: in the most grassroots of fashions, crisscrossing the country first in a paisley Volkswagen van and then in a vegetable-oil powered truck, performing in small theatres and coffee-houses and gradually building up a mailing list of devoted fans.
She is an amiable and confident performer whose live shows convey warmth and intimacy.
n The Envision Twilight Concert Series welcomes Rhythm Roundup on Wednesday, July 15 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Rhythm Roundup has been performing their bluegrass and roots music since 1995. Vocals are a major part of their sound, with the duo singing of Sue Malcolm and Vic Smyth as the centrepiece.
While honouring their bluegrass roots, they love to explore and branch out to create original new sounds.
They are good friends who love to perform together, and audiences love the sense of fun this quartet projects.
Sue Malcolm plays guitar and sings lead and harmony in a warm, natural style. She has performed bluegrass, country, old-time, western swing and children’s music for many years.
Vic Smyth brings great energy to his mandolin playing and lead and harmony vocals.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us at the park. Admission is free.
For information call 604-826-0277.
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