Music By The Sea Fundraiser
A local man is combining his love for music with a passion for his community tonight with his nonprofit charity event “ Music By the Sea”. Chris Donison hosts a fundraiser for the arts through a non for profit foundation for music by the sea (literally, and it’s beautiful) and this particular fundraiser is in partnership with the victoria hospitals foundation, which needs more support than ever.
Working in partnership with the new Victoria International Marina in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the venue for the event is breathtaking and fitting, for the beautiful classical and jazz music to be live-streamed- the new normal for enjoying performances such as live music. All the audio-visual technical work and streaming is done by Darcy Beck Productions and PK Sound.
Artists playing Sunday evening include Victoria’s own jazz icon Louise Rose, performing solo at the piano and on the other side of the hall (two shows at once) will be Victoria’s Lafayette String Quartet (known for their brilliance and artistry as well as their commitment to the health and well-being of our community through their annual Lafayette Health Awareness Forum). All participants are local, so the event is a great way to support close-to-home musicians and productions. What a nice way to keep the community spirits alive and well.
A quote from the organization, “ We are curating the music program to be especially enjoyable for all people who may be in the hospital or any other care facilities anywhere. Indeed, we hope to reach as many as possible in the community” This special telethon-style concert is free to view with an option to make a donation. Of course, all money raised will be shared among MBTS and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Music by the Sea is also partnered with C-FAX 1070 for the event which will be live-streamed on YouTube, and the live stream aspect can assure viewers a splendid evening as well as staying Covid-19 safe and following all guidelines.
Check out the live stream here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGAR0dtTEysd6J5zUMpdXw/
Why Radio Stations Shouldn’t be 24/7 Christmas Music
Does anybody actually seriously enjoy Christmas music? Like other than it being in the background of Christmas movies? It cannot just be me who despises hearing the same 12 songs over and over again from the end of November to all throughout December. So, the news that a local radio station would be playing 24/7 Christmas music obviously didn’t sit well with me. My fundamental point here is that 1) it’s obnoxious and overplayed 2) it shouldn’t take over entire radio stations, normal people still want normal music.
Firstly, there is hardly any quality Christmas music. It sounds unauthentic, overplayed, and like a sell-out. It blows my mind that we actually hear the same few songs over and over again, and nobody’s mad about it. The repetition seriously ruins the catchy nature of the jingle and replaces it with annoyance, and I would be so surprised if I was alone with this opinion. The Christmas music scene needs a lot more variety to carry any sort of quality.
Secondly, not everyone celebrates Christmas! Or likes it! How could a radio station that was previously unaffiliated with a religion pick a Christian holiday to conform to for over a month? In such a multicultural city, such a stark decision feels off putting for non-Christian celebrators. And yes there are other stations to listen to but I bet they’re close to playing Christmas music 24/7 to stay relevant, which is fair it just doesn’t need to be excessive and exclusive.
Amidst the criticism however I do have a solution: a 24/7 “Christmas” station that integrates lovely jazz and classical music with well selected and tasteful Christmas music, for higher quality but still warm and fuzzy Christmas-time music station experience. It could even be 112.5.
To conclude, we shouldn’t don’t have Christmas exclusive stations because the quality of today’s Christmas-pop is so draining. I know we can do better. You’ve read my bit, I’m not trying to impose my opinion on everyone, just some food for thought going into this year’s Christmas season. If I get called a grinch I can handle it, it’s however apparent he has better taste in music.