Tag Archives: Jemma Hicken

A new semester begins at the Cortes Island Academy

The Cortes Island Academy kicked off its second year with a ‘meet and greet’ barbeque on Tuesday, September 5. Students and homestay parents met with some of the people working behind the scenes. School started the following day.

“Right now, the students are just going back into the classroom after being in Carrington for the last four days on a camping trip that started on the weekend and went into the week.  They are still in the  outdoor education fundamentals getting to know each other part of the semester,” explained Manda Aufochs Gillespie, the Academy’s principal Board member.

Continue reading A new semester begins at the Cortes Island Academy

Folk U: Open Mic at Friday Live Music

The tenth and last concert in the Friday Live Music Series was an open mic afternoon. Welcoming in the fall on September 1st in the Village Commons tent, the event was a well-attended last hoorah. Performers featured were Louis Belcourt, Sun Rob, Tashi, and Jemma & the Good Thing. Manda Aufochs Gillespie hosted the concert live on Folk U Radio. 

Continue reading Folk U: Open Mic at Friday Live Music

Behind the Scenes: The 60 heroes of Lovefest

Behind Lovefest’s ongoing success, and the success of so many festivals and community events around the province, is a dedicated corps of volunteers. 

According to Amy Robertson, who oversaw this part of the festival, “We had about 60 volunteers this year. They were doing everything from making sure that  parking is safe out on the road and that the blue bus has a good place to park. Volunteers sell tickets, help the vendors and they’re setting up. They do a lot of decoration for this event, help promote it, sell T- shirts, and just ensure that everybody has a good, safe time.” 

Continue reading Behind the Scenes: The 60 heroes of Lovefest

Why is Lovefest such an ongoing success?

Image credit: Kim Pauley singing ‘The Book of Right On’ during Wiley Ferguson’s performance – Igor Backmann photo

(The podcast of this program opens with a clip of saxophone player Dave Blinzinger’s version of the blues classic ‘Route 66,’ in which he added lyrics like ‘Get your kicks right here on Cortes Island’ and ‘When you take that Linnea Farm trip, get your kicks on Route 66.’)

I can’t take too much heat anymore and had to pack it in by 4:30, but it was already apparent that this year’s Lovefest was another success. 

Continue reading Why is Lovefest such an ongoing success?

Songwriters of Cortes: A sharing of songs and experiences

Four of Cortes Island’s women songwriters, and one man, got together for an afternoon of sharing stories and songs on August 6. 

More than fifty people gathered under the big top in the Village Commons, in Mansons Landing, to listen to Denise Wolda, Josie Simpson, Juli Nelson, Brenda and DJ Hanson. 

Continue reading Songwriters of Cortes: A sharing of songs and experiences