Ashlea Jonesmith and her partner Oliver Wives will perform at the Mex Pub on Aug. 7 as the featured artists for this month’s 1st Tuesday Fundraiser.
Jonesmith, a folk and alt-country singer songwriter, moved to Denman Island from the B.C. interior and after extensive touring in 2010 and 2011 have earned much acclaim in the Canadian independent music scene.
The pair made their debut at the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Lillooet’s Music at the Miyazaki House concert series and Islands Folk Festival in Duncan.
The combination of Jonesmith’s lyrics and vocals with the harmonies and creative bass lines of Wives are carefully balanced and their performances have been described as mesmerizing, sincere and heart-gripping.
Ashlea describes her songwriting as “thick on mood and meaning” and she has written and recorded a full-length album as well an EP which is currently available for free download from her website at www.ashleajonesmith.com.
Originally from Bracebridge, Ont., Jonesmith was chosen as a local act to play at Mariposa Folk Festival in 1998. She continued to perform at local establishments in Toronto and later Nelson, B.C., where she met Wives.
Through the influence and inspiration of other musicians who have challenged her musically, she describes the evolution of her music as moving from “a quiet, somewhat generic folk-songbird to that of a gutsy, confident and distinctive performer-songwriter.”
The cash donations collected at the door as admission will be donated to You Are Not Alone (YANA), a local organization that assists families in the Comox Valley who are confronted with unexpected costs due to the illness of a child.
The local charity provides funding for travel so that families can be together during times when medical treatments are not available locally.
The work of YANA has grown through the years from the efforts of a single family who experienced the stress of a child's unexpected illness in 1986. Their decision to try to find ways to provide comfort and support to other parents in similar situations has built a legacy of caring that is near and dear to many local families.
Those whose lives have been touched by the support of YANA often want to become involved with the organization by creating more fundraising initiatives.
Also appreciated as admission at the 1st Tuesday event are non-perishable food items for the Comox Valley Food Bank Society.
The food bank is another local charitable initiative that has helped many local families. Director Jeff Hampton has been working with the food bank for 25 years, coordinating volunteers and developing effective systems to collect and distribute food to families in need.
As usual, the evening will start with a short opening set by hosts Judy and Bruce Wing along with violinist Blaine Dunaway.
Since its start in 2008 the monthly concert series has raised thousands of dollars for the community charities by pairing local musicians with their favourite charity. The events are sponsored by the Mex Pub.
For more information about 1st Tuesday fundraising events, please contact Judy or Bruce Wing at 250-897-0423 or visit their website at www.judyandbruce.com/foodbank.
— Judy and Bruce Wing