The La Source

The Source finds its raison d’etre in Vancouver's vibrant and rapidly growing cosmopolitan culture.  With its primary focus on the artistic and cultural events taking place within various communities, no publication informs and celebrates the city's unique cultural mosaic better than The Source. The Source is a locally published bi-weekly free newspaper with offices in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district.  It is the only local bilingual paper in the lower mainland.  It is a non-profit organization run by hardworking employees, all of whom come from the various communities throughout the city. The idea of the paper originated in 1999 when the founding publisher, Mamadou Gangué, decided to create a paper that would discuss and promote Vancouver’s diverse and unique cultural make-up. As a forum for diversity – the very foundation of the paper – it encourages the development of new ideas and ways of thinking.

With ease The Source plays a leadership role within Vancouver’s complex intercultural communication network, as nowhere else in the world can you find a city more inclined to experiment with the idea of multicultural harmony.  Genuine in its wish to assist communities, whose origins are often wildly different, to understand and communicate with one another, The Source actively participates and sponsors major events throughout the city. The Source not only promotes diversity, but our team itself represents the many cultures found in Vancouver. Over the last 8 years of publishing, 600-700 volunteers from all over the world have brought their histories, perceptions, experience and talent to the offices of The Source. From the founding publisher, community members, the wonderful team of volunteers and the many readers of The Source, we thank you for your continued support and readership.

“We invite all people from various walks of life to share their stories, ideas and comments”- Your local diversity newspaper that thrives on the passion of making people belong.

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Unique showcase features unusual instrument Print E-mail
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Feature Story
Written by Kerry Hall   

Ukeleles are often not seen outside a Hawaiian luau or a grade school music class but an upcoming concert will highlight the wide range of which the instrument is capable.

The In House Festival presents Ukeleles Unleashed with three different acts on March 5 in East Vancouver.

Ralph Shaw is a local professional ukelele player and entertainer who has been playing since he was a young man.

“I instantly fell in love with it and took it everywhere I went,” he said, adding that the ukelele’s easy of playability with four fingers on four strings made total sense to him.

His main instrument is a uke that looks like a banjo and was owned by his grandfather. His repertoire of music is mainly drawn from the 20s, 30s, and 40s because of the great songwriting, although he also plays his own original work. Besides his three musical albums on CD, he also has several tutorials for learning to play the ukelele.

“It’s not hard to learn,” said Shaw, adding that it’s an accessible and non-threatening instrument. “Anyone with some musical ability who can strum and make three chord changes can play and have a sing song. It’s just good fun.”

During the past 12 years, there’s been a steady resurgence in the numbers of people taking up the instrument. As well, celebrities like George Harrison and Paul McCartney are also admitting that they too play the ukelele.

Shaw is founder of the Vancouver Ukelele Circle which meets on the third Tuesday every month at the Our Town coffeeshop in Vancouver. He said there’s a mixture of people, from newcomers to sophisticated performers, with as many as 70 people in attendance. They sing songs, laugh and have fun.

Myriam Parent with her group Les Mains d’Isabelle will also be playing together for the first time at the upcoming gig. Trained in classical music, Parent has been playing the ukelele for about two and half years. Her ensemble includes a second ukelele player, a percussionist, a cellist, and a French horn player. They will be performing songs from their new album called Urgence that they are currently recording for a CD release.

While she also plays piano, Parent composes new songs, mainly in French, using the ukelele. She came across the instrument while living in an East Van house full of musicians. “When [my roommate] started playing it, I could feel it in my heart,” Parent said, describing her reaction when she first heard it. “It was like ‘give it to me! It’s mine! It’s my turn to play.’ Right there, I wrote a song. It was instant love.”

The Langley Ukulele Ensemble will also be performing on March 5. Peter Luongo has been directing the youth members of the ensemble for more than 20 years. They have performed throughout Canada and the U.S., including an annual appearance at the Hawaiian International Ukulele Festival.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for children and festival members.
See www.inthehousefestival.com for ticket information.

 

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