Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tangissimo Plus - A Tango Event on Fazioli


The Historic Theatre in the Cultch
1895 Venables Street, Vancouver

Sunday June 10, 2012
7:00pm Doors Open
7:30pm Concert Begins
9:30pm Milonga 

This evening promises to be filled with Tango Magic. The musicians will be two members of Tangissimo – Linda Lee Thomas, piano, and Ed Henderson, guitar. They will be joined by Jonathan Goldman, bandoneon – Joan Blackman, violin, and Dylan Palmer, double bass. The music they perform will be original quintet arrangements by Astor Piazzolla as well as more traditional tangos from Argentina.

Following the concert, the Historic Theatre will become a dance hall where the audience will have the opportunity to dance tango until midnight. Acclaimed Claudio Bigler will be the DJ.

This evening also marks the beginning of Linda Lee’s latest recording project – TANGO CON FAZIOLI!  The incredible handcrafted Italian piano is her favorite – and she loves the wonderful music of Argentina – so why not put them together?  In August she will continue this project in Buenos Aires on a Fazioli Concert grand with her musician friends from the birthplace of Tango.

$45 Festival Seating
$60 Reserved Table Seating Sold Out!
Cultch Box Office: 604.251.1363

The rare Fazioli piano is being provided by Showcase Pianos, the exclusive dealer for highly acclaimed Italian brand of pianos:  http://showcasepianos.com 

ShuQi Li performs on Fazioli for Aurora Jets and Rolls-Royce


VANCOUVER, BC - Six year old local Asian sensation ShuQi Li was invited to perform for some of Vancouver's elite as they attended the opening celebration of Aurora Jets.  Although still very young, ShuQi Li has had the rare privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York.   Rolls-Royce allowed guests to test drive some of their new cars and also had an amazing black Phantom for visitors to sit in.  Real estate mogul Malcolm Hasman was also present, bringing copies of his new “Exclusive” magazine and enough champaign for everyone.  Besides touring the different jets that were in the hangar, guests were able to hear live music on a rare Italian Fazioli Concert Grand piano which was on loan from Showcase Pianos.   Performers included soprano Chloe Hurst and pianist Michael Onwood, and singer Austin Nash Park – a fantastic performer that can be seen regularly at the amazing Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel lobby.

Showcase Pianos has two locations in BC and is the official dealer for the highly acclaimed Fazioli piano.  Visit Showcase Pianos on the web at: http://showcasepianos.com 























'Odd Squad' Gala Fundraiser 2012



VANCOUVER, BC - On Thursday the 7th of June the 'Odd Squad' celebrates 15 years of empowering youth to make positive life choices about drug use and criminal behaviour through documentaries and education.   As of this morning they have raised $399,000 for this year's fundraiser!

Thursday, June 7th, 2012
The Vancouver Convention Centre

5:00 PM – Cocktails
6:30 PM – Dinner

Tickets are $225, Tables are $2,250

For information please contact Gerry Zipursky at (604) 408-9945

ABOUT ODD SQUAD:

We’re back on the beat as we prepare to go beyond the call of duty and celebrate 15 years ODD SQUAD style! A gourmet sit-down dinner, spirited Live Auction, unique Silent Auction and many magical surprises are in store for our guests.

Your support of the annual Gala Fundraiser allows Odd Squad to continue funding outstanding educational presentations, peer mentoring workshops and documentaries for use in schools and communities. As a trusted resource and leader in prevention education Odd Squad empowers young people to learn the true value in making positive life choices

With more funding we can achieve more impact in reaching youth on the pitfalls of drug use and criminal behaviour.  For 2012 make Odd Squad a smart investment to help keep kids on track.

 Join us this year as a Guest, Sponsor, Auction Item Donor or Volunteer & make a difference with our youth!

This year Odd Squad is offering sponsors a three year commitment option based on a three year goal plan for presentations and programs.

Jan Lisiecki on Fazioli with VSO


VANCOUVER, BC - On Saturday the 2nd and Monday the 4th of June, Calgary's superstar Jan Lisiecki will perform with the VSO on a very rare Fazioli F278 Concert Grand.   Fazioli pianos continue gaining recognition around the world as being the very best piano in production today.   Each one is handcrafted in Italy over a period of 3,000 hours.  

ABOUT JAN LISIECKI: Hailed by critics worldwide for his mature and poetic playing, Jan Lisiecki made his orchestral debut at the age of 9 and has since given over 50 performances with orchestras worldwide, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, Quebec Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and Sinfonia Varsovia, to name a few. On January 1, 2010, Jan had the honor of opening the 200th birthday celebrations of Chopin at the composer's birthplace, Zelazowa Wola. That same month, he gave a dazzling performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor at the MIDEM Classical Awards Gala in Cannes, France. In April, Jan was asked to substitute for Nelson Freire in four concerts in France, and in May he opened the Seoul International Music Festival in South Korea. To celebrate Canada Day in July, he performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England in front of 100,000 people on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Jan has played at Carnegie Hall, the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Centre and Salle Cortot and has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Pinchas Zukerman, James Ehnes and Emanuel Ax. He has performed in the United States, Korea, China, Japan, France, Germany, England, Scotland, Italy, Guatemala, Germany, Poland and throughout Canada.

Click here for more information and tickets:   http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/11MWG05/ 

Showcase Pianos is the official dealer for the highly acclaimed Fazioli pianos in BC.  Please visit us on the web:  http://showcasepianos.com 

Monday, May 28, 2012

Showcase Pianos appoints Yana Levkovich as Manager


Showcase Pianos is pleased to announce the appointment of a new store manager. Store owner Manuel Bernaschek says: "I have known Yana Levkovich for many years and feel that she is the perfect addition to our team. Yana is also well known in the city's music community, and has a great passion for European instruments."

Yana was born in the Ukraine near Kiev and started playing piano at the age of six. Yana studied with the great teacher who was also associated world famous Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who was also born in the same city. Yana continued her studies and now holds a Bachelor in Music. After immigrating to Canada, Yana became very involved in Vancouver's music community as an educator, piano performer and singer. Yana has a vast knowledge of the construction of pianos, and has worked as a piano consultant for more than a decade. Yana has a passion for fine quality instruments, and loves to share her expertise with anyone looking for more information related to the study of music and the search for a good piano. Yana regularly conducts workshops and seminars related to the study of music and choosing the right piano.

Visit Showcase Pianos: http://showcasepianos.com/