Just a note to tell you what’s up these days. The Legendary Aristocrats ride again, the band stars Robson Sutherland on keyboards and vocals, Anthony Telfair on drums and vocals and little ol’me, the swing era sonstress and we are gigging in beautiful Qualicum Beach. You’ll find us swing’n the standards every Friday and Saturday nite in the Old Dutch Inn waterfront dining room. Under new management the Old Dutch is serving up spectacular local fare with a fresh Atlantic Lobster Special that is selling out nightly. I’ve had it and it was amazing. Folks have been coming in to celebrate special occasions and last night we had 4 birthday groups with dancers hitting the floor during the first set. So if you are looking for a fine dining experience in Qualicum Beach with a twist come let Kevin and his superb staff treat you to the very best Qualicum has to offer.

Looking forward to seeing all our old friends and making some new ones,
Cheers
Liz and the Boys

Speaking of play, there’s a great dance coming up featuring performer Shawn Carle on July 17th at the Qualicum Airport. Check him out on Facebook. He just released a great new CD of originals and will be the first to try out the stage at the Hangar venue. If you love planes and all things aeronautic this is the event of the season so contact cat4flyin10@gmail.com to request your ticket to this ultra cool event!

Speaking of Awesome: We’ve been building condo’s in Qualicum Beach, there are currently 4 available. They are 2 floors, a whooping 2500 square feet with huge double garages (for your winter and summer toys) and they have a breathless view of the Georgia Strait. You can learn more about them at Taylorridge.ca but you’ve got to watch the sunset from one of the balconies to get the full effect. WOW!

On an Arts Note:   If you are looking for an excellent evening of LIVE entertainment check out the Red Martini Grill in Nanaimo. The menu is superb, there is a real stage and the place has great atmosphere. The summer roster boosts a variety of talented performers as well as the house band The Lounge Lizards featuring Phil Randoy and Rob Sutherland. If you like Vegas style crooning and tunes made famous by the Rat Pack this is the hottest spot on the West Coast. I love it and I bet you will too!

Well, I hope to see you out and about over the summer, don’t let this fine weather go to waste chickens!

Cheers
Love ya
Elizabeth

My alter ego’s are clamoring to say their peice  so here we go: 

Mae “B” West ( a gal who needs no formal introduction) emphatically declares that Dad….men in general for that matter, require an extraordinary amount of time and attention.   Being the quintessential Daddy’s girl Mae suggests rewarding your Daddy with ‘over the top treatment’.   For example if Dad likes fishing, be ready when he gets home from work with his rod and tackle box in hand.  Don’t forget  to be wearing waders or whatever rigging is required.  This is all about showing Dad that you know what makes him happy.  Be his helper  bait the hook,  hand him a sandwich or just sit quietly while he tells you how its done.  Mae says Dads love to tell you how things are done….thats one of the things great Dads do!
Country crooner Parksville Patsy concurs.  She adds in most cases a Dad’s happiness can’t be bought. It is more esoteric than that. Dad needs to know that he is Dad: the King of the castle, Master of the manor, Lord of the land.  Like a wild stallion leading the way, Dad needs to know he is the one the family trusts  for guidance and leadership.   Patsy suggests letting Dad  lead on his special day.  A jeep ride up a winding back road where his superior navigational skills results in an incredible roadside lunch overlooking a spectacular view, or a boating adventure where Captain Dad discovers a pristine beach on a mysterious island.  Your attitude is everything, this is a priceless way to show that you appreciate Dad for his unique gifts.
Finally the Brazillian Bombshell Carmilitta Maranda suggests sweetening the pot with  a trip to Dads favourite eatery to noshe on  something he really likes.   No quiche and banana lettuce wraps here, just a mouth watering serloin steak or a rustic buffalo burger,  an  ice cold beverage and a few laughs and your Dad will be smiling ear to ear as he enjoys being the centre of attention.

Hope to see you and your special guy Saturday June 19th at the Final Approach Restaurant, Qualicum Beach Airport where we’ll be honouring Dad with great food, toe tapping tunes  and a heaping helping of love.   It’ll be a busy night  with two seatings so  reserve early  250 752 8966 !

Cheers Dad, Your the best!

Elizabeth

It started as a special day but that didn’t seem like enough time to tell our Moms just how very much we love them so I’ve decided to rename this holiday Happy Mothers Day Weekend.

Toss off your aprons ladies, spring has sprung the sun is shining and its time to come out from behind that dirty stove. You deserve a “restaurant plus” experience this Happy Mothers Day Weekend so join me at the Takrai Thai Restaurant in Qualicum Beach on Friday night, music begins at 6:00. On Saturday night I’ll be at the Final Approach Restaurant in Qualicum beach. Both restaurants are small and cozy, and have excellent cuisine. Let someone else do the entertaining for a change because your happiness is what is important Mom, and remember…… happy is as happy does….and I love to do happy!

IMPORTANT ALERT:

COUNTDOWN TO
MICHAEL BUBLE CONCERT AT GM PLACE

ONLY 107 SLEEPS

It’s great to be SINGING again after such a long hiatus. Thanks to all my friends who encouraged me to keep my music dream alive. The Swing Era Songstress sings again. You are true friends and I am very grateful.

Speaking of singing I had a terrific show at The Final Approach Restaurant (at the Qualicum Airport) last Saturday night. The staff and owners are a hoot and the food is delicious, especially thier homemade banana cream pie, yum. Me and my eclectic assortment of alter egos (can’t think of any other way to describe it) took to the stage at 5:30 and we all had a great time. A special hello to Marcella and Wally! We’ll be back at the airport Saturday May 8th to celebrate Mothers Day and Saturday June 19th to give the Dads some love for Fathers Day. If you are looking for a memorable evening out, we want you! Call 250 752 8966 for reservations and bring your singing voices.

Currently I’m working on several music projects:

The Parksville S.O.S Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is April 20th. I am so privileged to be performing at this event. This is an organization close to my heart because I truly appreciate the work all volunteers do in our community. My mother-in-law lives in a retirement home and has friends among the volunteers who visit. Her health and happiness are in-part due to the love they  show her. In my opinion the gift of   ‘freely giving help to those in need’ is what makes Canada such a wonderful country. It’s the people,  the heart.   I am looking forward to celebrating Parksville’s S.O.S .Volunteers!

Another exciting project I’m working on is a new show with two of the most wonderful characters I know. You may have heard of them: Nanaimo’s notorious Lounge Lizards; Professional Entertainer Phil Randoy and Music Arranger/Keyboard Confectinado Robson Sutherland. Together we are penning a spectacular Vegas style  extravaganza full of great songs, hot duets and chuckles. I promise it’ll be real toe taper! More about this in the future!

On an “Arts Note”  here is a call-out to my friend artist Bill Helin: who’s been getting major attention in Vancouver. Not only an inspired artist but a visionary as well,  Bill  Helin is living proof that that good things happen to good people.  I know that because Bill Good Jr. and Pamela Martin said so on the Global News Hour last week when they commented on Bills extraordinary talent during the Friday broadcast.  One just has to look to the stars (there’s a space station up there you know) to see how far Bill’s talent has taken him. Cheers to you Bill Helin,  to infinity and beyond!

Well that’s it for now. Here’s to fulfilling your dreams friends and never ever giving up!
Love
Elizabeth