Editor:
Re: Quality events already here, June 24 letters.
Letter-writer Gina VanDer Meulen is right on when she wrote regarding the following blurb that appeared in you paper a few issues ago.
“The problem with a lot of local events is that they’re underfunded,” said Douglas Smith, White Rock Business Improvement Association executive director. “It means they are unable to grow or deliver the kind of quality that is going to grow and resonate with a regional audience. Now we’re in a position to do it properly... so it becomes a sustainable event that everybody knows about and knows that it will be each year.”
I find the above-mentioned quote from the Peace Arch News (Summer concert series coming to White Rock, June 12) to be somewhat half-baked and way off the mark.
I have lived in the area of White Rock and South Surrey for 40 years and have attended many, if not most, musical performances on the Semiahmoo Peninsula.
The White Rock Sea Festival even delivered the Powder Blues Band and Dal Richards, with his full band, which is no small feat.
Other than that, Smith seems to be bereft of the fact that local musicians and producers have, time and time again, come up with shows that deliver the quality that he says is lacking in our community.
In fact, Gary Comeau and David Sinclair – two names on his list – have participated in such endeavours.
I could name more than 50 such events, but here are just a few to emphasize my point:
Trooper at Star of the Sea, more that once. Peninsula Productions have more than a dozen high-profile presentations to their credit. One shouldn’t forget to mention Valdy appearing at Paul Beatty’s Big Blue House more than once. Juno nominee Neil Harnett has produced shows featuring his original music.
What about Blue Frog, The White Rock Blues Society, Brickhouse, The Wheat in the Barley, Alex Browne and the Aristocrats, Heidi McCurdy, Doug Towle (Guitar Player Magazine champion), Jason Mitchell, Medderick, Jordan Carrier? They are all known for participating in memorable performances in recent history.
Your paper has done a good job promoting these events and, as a music lover, I greatly appreciate your service in this regard.
Anne Walls, Surrey