Georgia Strait Big Band Fundraising Concert

The Reverend Ryan Slifka, minister at St. George’s United Church, is pleased to announce that the 20th concert in its fundraising series, “Concerts For The Common Good,” will feature The Georgia Strait Big Band on Saturday, April 11, 2-4pm.

With more than 300 songs in their repertoire, the Georgia Strait Big Band is keeping bag band music alive in the Comox Valley and is ready to entertain all who love music from that era.
The band has been under the direction of Conductor Greg Bush, an acclaimed Professor of Jazz Studies, for the past 18 years; and members of the band are accomplished musicians who range in age from 17 to 83.
Conductor Greg Bush commented , “This afternoon performance will offer something for everyone with concert style seating and a dance floor to enjoy a wonderful two-set performance featuring some of your favourite big band songs.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 each at Laughing Oyster Bookstore or on Eventbrite; or they will be $25 at the door. Youth (13-17) are $12; kids under 13 are free.

The Eventbrite link is: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/georgia-strait-big-band-fundraising-concert-to-benefit-larche-tickets-1981463406388?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Georgia Strait Big Band is continuing the legacy of Big Band music in the Valley that dates back to the 1940s. This concert will be the 20th in the fundraising series, “Concerts For The Common Good,” started by St. George’s United Church since 2023.
The Georgia Strait Band has chosen L’Arche as the non-profit partner to share in the proceeds with St. George’s United Church.
L’Arche, which has been in the Comox Valley for 25 years, is a community of people with and without disabilities sharing life together. The are built on the core values of celebrating the unique value of each person, revealing each others’ gifts, and recognizing our need for one another. As a service organization, L’Arche is based on a community model of living, rather than a medical or social service model of care. (larchecomoxvalley.org).
In addition to its concert series which started in 2023, St. George’s raises funds through a variety of events during the year to benefit local non-profits. Since 2023, the church donated more than $60,000 to community groups, including Habitat for Humanity, LUSH, the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Coldest Night of the Year, CYMC, the Comox Valley Child Development Association, the Transition Society, and many others.
Located in the heart of downtown Courtenay at 505 6th Street, St. George’s United Church (founded 113 years ago) is a spiritually vibrant, inclusive, justice-seeking community of faith that has been changing lives in the Comox Valley for over a century. Its vision is to be a Christian Church that is a beacon of God’s love and hope in the community, doing so through unconditional welcome, spiritual transformation, and reaching out in love for the common good.
St. George’s weekly Sunday service is at 10:30 am, followed by a coffee social in the fellowship hall.
Families with young children are very welcome. St. George’s has a diverse group of more than 30 young children who participate in the Children’s Church while their parents and grandparents remain in the main service. www.stgeorgesunited.com. # # #