Oktopus

TDAC’s Performing Arts Trail Series presents OKTOPUS on Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 at 7:30 pm at The Bailey Theatre.

6 Show Series Pass: $148 **Don’t miss out on this great offer. Money back guarantee on remaining shows for Performing Arts Trail season pass holders if you don’t like the season after the first two shows. “Try it, you’ll like it!” **

Individual Adult Ticket: $30.00, except Shane Koyczan which is $35.

PLUS:

• the bargain price of $10 for anyone under 30 years old
• 2 for 1 for hospital / medical employees for all Performing Arts Trail shows.
• New attendees 2 for 1: Bring someone who hasn’t been to the theatre before and get 2 for 1 for all Performing Arts Trail shows. New patron must not already be in our database and must join our email list.

Based in Quebec, Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The octet is primarily devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews—distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of the classical and Quebecois repertoire, with some jazz and Balkan accents. ​

The group’s eight virtuoso musicians offer festive, high-energy performances, at once melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative, in which original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combine with improvisation. Its members’ complicity, shared passion, and hard work are what makes each of their performances so memorable, Oktopus is simply… ‘spectentacular’!

Oktopus’ distinctive music is undeniably rooted in the klezmer tradition, reflecting the rich history of a thousand-year-old community, its persecutions and celebrations, tears and laughter, or both at the same time. The members of Oktopus are inspired by the music they hear throughout their own travels. Thus, the melodies of several classical composers, such as Bartók, ​Brahms, Prokofiev or Enescu are rearranged by the octet, particularly their works derived from folk themes. Quebec songwriters are also sources of inspiration, with Leclerc and Vigneault being added to the group’s repertoire. ​

To hear and see more visit their website at https://www.oktopus.ca.

Oktopus is: Gabriel Paquin-Buki on clarinet, composition and arrangements,
Veronica Ungureanu on violin,
Noémie Caron-Marcotte​ on flute,
Matthieu Bourget on bass trombone,
Madeleine Doyon on tenor trombone,
Guillaume Martineau on piano,
Maxime Philippe on drums and percussion,
and Francis Pigeon on trumpet​.

AWARDS: 2021 – Nominee Canadian Folk Music Award, 2021 – Nominee Opus Award, 2021 – « Special prize for the most creative fusion of ancient and contemporary music traditions » awarded by the Slovak Radio Bratislava​, 2018 – ​Nominee Canadian Folk Music Award, 2018 – Nominee Juno Award and
Grand gagnant de la 8me édition du concours les syli d’or de la musique du monde

Reserved Seating. Two 40 minute sets with an intermission.

Shuttle Bus – Book a round trip shuttle bus for only $5. Go to our shuttle bus booking page to check the schedule and book your shuttle here. On-line booking for shuttles ends at 12 noon on show day. If you’d like to make a last minute booking, please call our box office before 4 pm on show day. Last minute booking spaces may not be available.

Performing Arts Trail Series includes:

Ridge: Tues Nov 8, 2022 – A vivid and intimate examination of our connection to the past, through stories from Vimy Ridge, that passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives. Featuring musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs performed by Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives.

Oktopus: Tues Feb 28, 2023 – The Quebec octet Oktopus is devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews. The group’s virtuoso musicians offer original compositions, finely crafted arrangements and improvisation for a high-energy performance, at once melancholic, profound, and humorous.

Shane Koyzan: Tues March 28, 2023 – There seems no shortage of adjectives to describe a show by spoken word poet, writer and performer Shane Koyczan. Moving, hilarious, challenging, provocative, or inspirational. Take your pick. Here is a writer that takes you on a tour of your own feelings in a way that leaves you grasping for your own heart just to make sure it’s still in your chest.

Sansei: The Storyteller and Yamabiko Taiko Drummers (double bill): Tuesday April 18 2023 – Sansei: The Storyteller uses dance, theatre, and humour to tell the story of one of Canada’s darkest decisions and how the rampant racism of past generations affects the Japanese community today.

Huu-Bac Quintet: Tuesday May 2, 2023 – Montreal based Huu Bac Quach and his quintet skillfully combine his Vietnamese and Chinese heritages with North-American jazz music. His beautiful compositions feature the dan bau (single chord Vietnamese instrument), the erhu (Chinese fiddle), the quena (Peruvian flute) and the guitar.

The Performing Arts Trail series is sponsored by Teck Trail Operations, Pharmasave Trail and Century 21 Kootenay Homes (2018) Ltd. With funding support from the BC Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia, the BC Touring Council and Tourism South Kootenay. This series is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. / Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.

COVID Protocols– Show dates, times and conditions may be subject to change as mandated by Provincial Health Orders and subject to the COVID climate. At this time, masks are recommended but not required. We are not required to ask for proof of vaccination and shows can operate at 100% capacity. Patrons will be notified by email of any changes in our COVID protocols.