We may be limited with travel right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions.
But you can take a musical “trip” around the world at a Coquitlam venue next week thanks to Société francophone de Maillardville and Le Relais, B.C.’s francophone immigration program.
Titled L’Art en Voyage, the concert on Feb. 12 will feature the international sounds of four acts at the Evergreen Cultural Centre; the event will be in-person and live-streamed at 7:30 p.m.
“I’ve always loved to travel to different countries,” said Brazilian musician and composer Celso Machado, a Gibsons, B.C., resident who will play original songs during his 20-minute set.
“But we have to do a different kind of voyage these days. It’s relaxing not to tour and just to enjoy the moment. Being close to home and sharing music can be good for us, too.”
A permanent citizen since 1994, after an invite to perform at Expo 86 in Vancouver, Machado is best known for replicating sounds.
For example, he told the Tri-City News he has studied how to imitate the kora — a 21-string harp used in West Africa — on the guitar; he’s also known for producing bird call imitations on wind and percussion instruments.
Besides his solo gig, Machado will join other world-renowned performers on the Evergreen stage who have also made British Columbia their home:
- Swiss musician Anna Lumière, who will be accompanied by cellist Finn Manniche
- Yoro Noukoussi, a multi-instrumentalist from Africa's North Benin
- Silk Road Music, a Chinese fusion ensemble made up of Qiu Xia He, André Thibault, Phil Belanger and Zhong Xi Wu
“For musicians,” Machado said, “it’s very, very important to be around other musicians when you’re creating every day because they do so much to inspire you and the music.”
Sponsored in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the show is a precursor to Festival du Bois, the annual French-Canadian party from April 1 to 3 at Mackin Park in Coquitlam.
Admission to L’Art en Voyage is free; however, registration is required via maillardville.com.
Seats at the Evergreen are on a first-come, first-served basis; doors open at 6:30 p.m. and provincial health protocols will be followed at the Evergreen (1205 Pinetree Way).
