Artsbeat: Ruszel Loves this Town with music
A weekly compilation of facts, figures, and fascinating Cowichan culture:
• Saw chef Matt Horn of Cowichan Pasta Company at the Duncan Farmer’s Market recently, and he’s busy feeding products to various valley stores, and Victoria outlets. If you hasta have pasta, call Matt at 250-732-2457.
• Why wait for December to tell city council who is the biggest booster of Cowichan’s rich artistic scene? Artists, teachers and patrons can be nominated for the 18th-annual City of Duncan Perpetual Arts Trophy presented, with a cool keeper piece, every December. Nominations can be emailed to city hall, or mailed, to Mayor Phil Kent and council.
• Duncan songwriter Beverley McKeen has anchored gigs at Maple Bay’s Shipyard Pub whose brass enjoys hosting local music. McKeen’s next Shipyard date is Feb. 15. She’ll be flanked by bassist Harold Anderson and guitarist Bent Jenson. Show it is 8 p.m. No cover.
• Local slack-key guitarist Lonesome Don Wilkie brings his solo, Valentine’s Day blend of roots-folk-blues instrumentals, originals and favourites to downtown’s Just Jake’s bistro Feb. 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. No cover.
• Cowichanians should check award-winning songwriter Paul Ruszel’s fresh CD Love This Town, featuring 11 of his tunes. Inside the dust jacket — clad in Robert Cerins’ playful painting of city hall, plus Paul Fletcher’s portrait shot of Paul — the local fretman’s backed by bassist Tom Horsfal, Dobro players Bryon Thompson and Chris Herbst, and mandolin man/son Tad Ruszel. Town’s tunes span Cedars Of Lebanon, and Robin’s Egg, to God Whispers To Al Green, and Ridin’ The Rainbow.
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.
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