Peggy Lee's cello

On February 2, 2019 my daughter Ale and I attended a concert at 8EAST (on Pender). The-just written music featured works by Lyle Hopkins with Ron Samworth, guitar, Skye Brooks, percussion and François Houle, clarinet. There was also a set of duos between Peggy Lee, cello, Torsten Muller,bass, and Viviane Houle, voice.

Such places surface in Vancouver and have so for years. In the early 80s when I might attend a punk concert at the Smilin’ Buddha some of us would be informed that there was a concert at some place or house nearby. These were underground concerts. In one of them I won the door prize which was a Pontiac hearse. I opted for $500.

Many believe that Vancouver is staid and boring. But this is not the case if you happen to know a few people. I found out about the 8EAST (On Pender) concert from my cellist friend Marina Hasselberg. The line-up was stellar and especially so for my guitar playing daughter as virtuoso electric guitar man, Ron Samworth was part of it.

François Houle, Marina Hasselberg and Ron Samworth

The concert (to begin at 8) was fashionably late as it began at 8:45. Most of the music featured musicians who were good and keen on improvisation. The second half of the concert featured music by bassist Lyle Hopkins. In one unusual segment even guitarist Ron Samworth was using a bow.

The concert began with a trio with Peggy Lee, Torsten Muller and singer Viviane Houle whose voice was used primarily as a musical instrument. Some of the sounds of her voice resembled that of a viola so the performance was really a string trio!

Percussionist Sky Brooks was most delicate on his drum kit. We were never blasted in any way. If anything he played his percussion instruments with much elegance.

Sky Brooks, Lyle Hopkins & François Houle

My daughter was suitably impressed and thanked her father (me) for bringing her to another night of what I call the Vancouver Petit Avant-Garde. Since she is a schoolteacher in Lillooet there is little chance such a concert would happen there.

Peggy Lee

Torsten Muller

Viviane Houle

Marina Hasselberg