Singer and performer Joy Chapman is coming to town Aug. 3 for “Divas Live” with Randy "Elvis" Friskie at the Squamish Legion, but first she is stopping by Hilltop House to entertain residents on Aug. 2.
Working with seniors has been close to Chapman's heart since she was a child visiting her father at the senior’s home where he was a nurse.
Her grandmother also lived with the family for many years. This exposure led Chapman to take up elder care, she said.
"I took up doing care of residents' hands and feet for many years at several care facilities," she told The Chief.
A car accident in 2004 made continuing the physical work of elder care impossible. Chapman turned to music as an alternative way to heal herself and others.
She has focused on music since then and has performed on the main stage at the PNE, and has toured the last six years with Friskie on stages across Canada.
She performs tributes to Patsy Cline, Shania Twain and Cher.
Visiting seniors in various communities is a way to give back, she said.
"Randy and I have been doing seniors facilities over the years as they are the most meaningful to us," she said. "My most memorable moment was when a man who had previously played in an orchestra was brought on a stretcher in a coma. As I was singing Ave Maria in Latin, he came out of it and tried to sit up."
Chapman will be with Friskie and The Party Rock Band as a part of the Divas Live: A Tribute to the Lady Superstars of Country and Rock on Aug. 3 at the Royal Canadian Legion Squamish Branch #277. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets at the door.
Call 604-898-9368 for more information.
For more on Chapman go to her site at www.joychapman.ca.
