Daily Dose — October features lots of entertainment at the Capitol Theatre
By Ari Lord
It’s October at the Capitol Theatre and Box Office Manager Kyla Hurst said the event season is in full swing.
“We are kicking off our 2023 Season with Hey Viola! A musical exploration of the life of Canadian civil rights hero Viola Davis brought to life by Vancouver’s Krystle Dos Santos.”
This event on October 12th features Desmond, who other than being the newest face on Canada’s ten-dollar bill, is best known for her courage in refusing to leave the whites-only section of Nova Scotia’s Roseland cinema in 1946, a decision that made history. She was also a feminist and beauty product icon. The show is about standing up to systemic racial injustices in Canada.
In Hey Viola!, Vancouver songstress and performer Krystle Dos Santos, along with Steve Charles (bass/guitar), Jen Lewin (piano), and Chris Davis (trumpet/drummer), bring the life of Viola Desmond to the stage using dynamic and inspirational music.
The show has been called, “Raw, genuine, and emotional” by Broadway World.
Hurst says, “Following this is Sarah Hagen bringing us Bach’s cherished Goldberg Variations.” On October 20th, Canadian pianist Hagen will hit the stage. Her extensive touring has taken her across Canada, internationally, and twice to New York City’s Carnegie Hall. She was awarded as Artist of the Year by both Ontario Contact (2017) and the BC Touring Council (2015).
A visionary and an idealist, Hagen’s performances are conceptually innovative, involving photography, dance and spoken word. She is Artistic Director for Pro’ject Sound, a performance project involving live piano with large-scale projected images.
“Next, we have the first in our Family Series, Alex Zerbe: The Professional Zaniac. Zerbe has been cracking jokes onstage for almost 15 years, zigzagging between physical stunts and non-stop comedy,” says Hurst.
On October 22nd, families are invited to witness how, with captivating amounts of energy, Alex Zerbe moves like a rubber band from one end of the stage to the other. Beatboxing, juggling, dancing, singing, music and magic are just some things that made Piers Morgan of America’s Got Talent call Zerbe “The total package.”
“We close out the month with Juno Award-winning pianist Michael Kaeshammer. He blends classical, jazz blues and more into a unique style,” says Hurst.
On October 28th Kaeshammer will bring his mastery and decades of experience as a professional performer. He has developed a style that weaves threads of classical, jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, stride, and even pop into a signature and sought-after sonic tapestry.
There will also be a Capitol offsite presentation happening this month called Confluence on October 22nd. At the junction of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers in Castlegar, the Lalin Vocal Ensemble and Sulustu (Barry Moses) will share the merging of their own paths that express the intersection of voice, language and connection to the land in a sound installation.
Some exciting rental events are also happening at the Capitol Theatre. Notably, Hurst says:
“The Nelson Overture Concert Series is bringing in Roman Rabinovich on October 17th. He has won critical acclaim for his interpretations of the music of Haydn.”
Back in September, the theatre had a great fundraising event for the theatre, says Hurst.
“Journey Through Las Americas was a great success. The community came out to enjoy the incredible dancers and support the Capitol Theatre.”
Hurst also reminds the public that the Capitol Theatre Costume Shop is open for Halloween Costume rentals on Friday afternoons.
