Artsbeat: Excited Duncan getting ready for centennial pole

Valley photographer Neil Fatin presents a keeper print to Rande Cook, Richard Gibson, and Lauren Holman (from left) Monday for the City of Duncan Arts Trophy. Co-winner Peter Lewis was unable to make the ceremony.

Peter W. Rusland

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A weekly compilation of facts, figures, and fascinating Cowichan culture:

• Duncan’s Centennial Totem Pole by master carver Calvin Hunt will be unveiled, during a rare mask and dance ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. in Charles Hoey Park. The 34-foot cedar masterpiece, honouring all women, will occupy a concrete pad that formerly held a gazebo, explained Councillor Sharon Jackson. Hunt’s figures include The Eagle, The Guardian Spirit, William Chalmers Duncan, the Thunderbird, the Orca, and the Chief Maker, who is a woman.

• Want to perform with a local orchestra? Cowichan Consort is again seeking musicians and singers, under age 26, to perform with the orchestra at a May 4 concert in Duncan, spokeswoman Jean Moore tells me. Auditions happen Jan. 20 when hopefuls will perform all or part of their chosen piece, with an accompanist of their choice. The application deadline is Dec. 31. Visit cowichanconsort.com or call 250-743-7445.

• Oklahoma! is South Island Musical Society’s 2013 February show in the Cowichan Theatre. Lesley Croghan directs Rodgers & Hammerstein’s smash Prairie romance, with Hilary Coupland and her orchestra supplying the title tune, plus Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’ and many others. Sarah Lane plays Laurie, beside Graham Brockley as Curly, Josiah George as Will Parker, and Georgia Bennett as Ado Annie. Choreography will be by Cathy Schmidt.

• Youbou lensman Neil Fatin proudly donated a photograph, through the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, as the keeper piece for Duncan’s 2012 Perpetual Arts Trophy.

“Any community without the arts is really a dead community,” said the retired Aussie, shooting a Nikon D300.

He saluted the News Leader Pictorial’s hosting of the arts trophy won by Duncan’s centennial Quench drinking fountain team led by Peter Lewis.

Peter W. Rusland has been covering Cowichan’s arts and entertainment community for two decades. If you’d like to add to this column, reach him at arts@cowichannewsleader.com.