Submitted –
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
11 August 2015
Duo Pianists and Golden Violinist ramp it up a notch at After Dark!
Abbotsford, BC – Picture yourself at the hottest fundraiser in the coolest gallery rubbing elbows with your most caring arts and culture friends! That would at the September 12, 2015 third annual After Dark at The Reach soiree – not a black-tie gala, more what one guest last year dubbed ‘a party extraordinaire; truly one of the best-ever events I have attended at The Reach or in Abbotsford.’
“This edgy celebration continues to gain traction with its chic guest lounges setting and its key focus on raising funds for crucial kids learning interactivities. And yes, our everyday heroes who support the arts expect to experience a few surprises like this year’s live artist battle, electrifying duo pianists and violinist and must-have auction packages,” explains Ingrid Epp, Director of Development at The Reach.
Expect wildly popular and professional Fraser Valley duo pianists, Mel Bowker and Johannes Weber to raise the gallery roof with their rousing piano numbers. Look at this! Mel Bowker has been a professional musician for over 55 years, and as a travelling pianist with the Bowker Brothers piano duo, performed in over 2500 concerts throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Singapore, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. This active arranger and composer, also had one of his commissioned arrangements performed by Ben Heppner live on CBC radio, and he served as piano accompanist to Heppner on a four-concert Canadian tour in 2003.
It may surprise you that young Johannes Weber, born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, along with taking music lessons and completing a BA in Recording Arts, also studied computer science. In addition to his skills as a pianist, Weber plays organ and electric bass, and is a gifted composer and arranger, not to mention an avid runner and cyclist.
Just about the time the excitement level reaches fever pitch at After Dark, out comes violinist Calvin Dyck and his golden violin. Who really needs an introduction to Dyck? He, the past concertmaster for the Vancouver Island Symphony is the current director of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra, who together with the BC Boys Choir in 2014 toured all 10 provinces in Canada! This teacher, conductor, adjucator, has played in over 15 countries, is producer of Songs, Strings & Steps and this fall, will present Carnival of the Animals with local Abbotsford pianists, plus host the Celtic Tenors.
And the good times keep on rolling at the September 12th After Dark at The Reach with elegant artistic foods served up by the Ramada team, artists Riley Charters, Ursula Rettich and Shannon Thiesen battling it out in a paint-off, caricaturist Ted Couling sketching your portrait, amazing auction packages from a masterpiece by Myrtle-Anne Rempel or Misty Bidwell to take- to-the-skies for lunch in Victoria with pilot Ken Funk plus creative adventures and class tours.
“After Dark at The Reach is truly about raising dollars for kids from all walks of life to experience the joy of often messy, always creative hands-on arts and heritage learning with their families. Over the years, we have discovered just how much the people of Abbotsford value their special personal and corporate connection to the arts in their community,” says Milt Walker, Chair of The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford Board. “Leading by example are local businesses that choose to support this event, including: Cap-It International Inc. – Hank & Elaine Funk, Assante Wealth Management, Canadian Western Bank, Giesbrecht, Goodrich & Co., KPMG, La Galleria – Quadra Homes, RDM Lawyers LLP, TD Bank, Dr. Michele Wang Inc. and others.”
Show your community spirit by purchasing your tickets now to After Dark at The Reach on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm at 32388 Veterans Way in Abbotsford. Tickets are an affordable $100 to $125 per person if you pay by August 24th, or $800 for Entourage of 8. Call 604-864-8087; email: info@thereach.ca or go to www.thereach.ca
The Reach is a registered charity and “Class A’ facility in the Fraser Valley that is operated by a small staff team with the assistance of a Board of Directors and 100+ fabulous volunteers. With your support, we will continue to showcase the best in the visual arts by local and international artists, preserve and share the stories of our rich and diverse cultural heritage, provide engaging learning programming and offer FREE admission to exhibitions and a wide variety of other cultural events.
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Photos of After Dark Performers att: violinist Calvin Dyck, pianists Mel Bowker and Johannes Weber
Media Contact:
Ingrid Epp
Director of Development
t 604 864 8087 ext 123
f 604 864 8048
The Reach
Gallery Museum Abbotsford
32388 Veterans Way
Abbotsford, BC V2T 0B3 thereach.ca