Voices Three will be performing their annual concert on Jan. 3 to raise funds for the Comox Valley Hospice Society.
Trio members Helen Austin, Sue Pyper and Judy Wing are celebrating 10 years of performing these concerts each January, and have raised over $27,500 for local hospice programs. They will be performing at the Mex Pub as featured guests of the monthly 1st Tuesday Fundraisers concert series and will be accompanied by Bruce Wing, Jim Stepan, and Blaine Dunaway. Admission is by donation, and the music begins at 7:30 p.m.
Much has changed over 10 years as each of these women have been pursuing their own artistic endeavours.
Pyper has become a well-known Vancouver Island artist, creating beautiful watercolour paintings, pyrography art, and jewelry.
Austin has had notable success in licensing her music for ads and film. She’s also formed a new duo called Big Little Lions with Ohio-based Paul Otten, recording award-winning albums and touring.
Wing and her husband Bruce have spent the decade hosting local open mics and enjoying the local grassroots. What hasn’t changed is the spine-tingling harmony and fun banter that makes Voices Three performances unique and memorable.
“We originally collaborated with a plan for a single show,” says Wing, “The first concert was so well received, that we decided to do it again. We put on a different show the next year, and then another the year after that.
“After all these years it has become a bit of an annual tradition for us. Even though we’re all busy doing our own projects the rest of the year, it’s nice to come together once a year to support CVHS.”
CVHS members will be at the door the evening of the concert to accept donations and to answer questions about the community services they offer to those who are living with dying, grieving and caregiving. CVHS has expanded its programs to meet the growing need for hospice palliative care, bereavement counselling, and caregiver support in the Comox Valley.
Among these programs are respite care, vigil support, counselling, one-on-one companionship, a bed loan program, resources, and advance care planning, as well as healing modalities such as reflexology, healing touch, Reiki, and music therapy.
At the core of all CVHS services is the recognition of each person’s dignity and the belief that hospice is not a place, but rather a philosophy of care that encourages living every moment as fully as possible. Hospice at The Views is a lovely home-like place that offers families another alternative to hospital or at-home care.
The Mex Pub is the sponsor of these monthly fundraising events. Each month features a different musical guest who chooses a non-profit group to receive the proceeds. No tickets are required, but seating is limited. For more information about how to support CVHS, visit www.comoxhospice.com.
For more info about the concert series, visit Facebook/1stTuesdayFundraisers.