Who’s in for soaking up an afternoon of heartfelt acoustic and strong songwriting in a peaceful environment, while the snow outside drifts ever deeper?
Copper Moon Gallery’s newest music series, Moonsongs, started up on Sunday November 21 to an appreciative and dedicated audience who struggled through a heavy snowfall to attend.
Co-organized with Yukon Women in Music (YWIM), Moonsongs is the brainchild of Copper Moon’s owner, Nerissa Rosati.
“Offering a location for all the arts has been a long time goal of mine,” says Rosati. “I’m very pleased to be involved with Yukon Women in Music, and have them performing here.”
Rosati initially approached YWIM after involving various members in one-off performances, either at gallery openings or other events. In those cases, she found the music entrancing and she enjoyed the juxtaposition between vocal arts and visual arts.
“I think there’s always going to be something going on between music and art,” says Rosati.
She launched Moonsongs with YWIM after their AGM, when they agreed to join in with Rosati and offer a musical series at her gallery.
Moonsongs in November is a cozy, intimate gathering. The vibe is easy, the lights are down low, and the acoustics are primed. The audience is ready for a chill, smooth performance.
We relax into the music and are mesmerized by the powerful vocals of Susan Phillips and Erica Heyligers. Most of the seats are occupied, proof Whitehorse music lovers are willing to brave even a blustery, blizzardy day for a live music event.
Heyligers felt that the Moonsongs show went well, despite facing challenges of weather and the curse of the first-time event. “We had good sound and an appreciative audience,” she says.
“It’s a great way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon, with a hot drink and treats to go with it,” she adds.
The Moonsongs music series will run from November until May 2011, on the third Sunday of each month. Rosati decided to have the program stop over the summer because many of YWIM’s artists are touring or actively performing during that time.
YWIM performers will alternate, to give everyone an opportunity to showcase their talents. That means that each Moonsongs date will feature a different member.
The exception is the December 19 date. That event that Sunday, immersed in the holiday season, is open to all members for a jubilant carolling session full of raucous, holiday spirit.
“I’m really looking forward to this one. It should be a lot of fun to have all us YWIM’ers out singing carols, with Roslyn Wilson accompanying us on piano,” says Heyligers.
After December’s festivities, the next event is set for February 27 (scheduled not to conflict with the Frostbite Festival) and will feature Kate Weekes and Barbara Chamberlain. March 20 will see Caroline Watt and the Sisters of Evolution, and April 17 showcases Fawn Fritzen and Brenda Berezan.
The series will wrap up on May 22, with a YWIM outdoor concert featuring a variety of artists including Kim Rogers.
The afternoon concert series runs from 2 to 4 pm with doors opening at 1:30 pm. The gallery will remain open during the concert; otherwise, Copper Moon is closed on Sundays during the winter.
