Gordon Lightfoot fans are in for a treat this Sunday (June 24) when Perry Beckham leads an acoustic trio in bluegrass and folk favourites at the Brackendale Art Gallery at 8 p.m.
Beckham, a Squamish resident for over 27 years, is perhaps best known for his climbing prowess, but says his love of guitar and bluegrass has garnered him a "small following" in town. Sunday night's trio also features Pemberton bass player Larry Cosulich, who plays with Pemberton favourite the Mountain Rangers, and Vancouver mandolin player Mark Vaughn of a various Vancouver bluegrass bands including Viper Central.
"This gig will be the first time we've performed as a trio so this will be a new combination and I'm pretty excited about it," said Beckham. "We're really hoping with our show to feature acoustic music that highlights Canadian classic folk tunes," he said, noting that over half a dozen songs will be Gordon Lightfoot covers.
But Sunday's performance seeks to do more than entertain. Some of the proceeds derived from the $20 ticket fee will go towards the Brackendale Farmers Institute's (BFI) campaign to preserve an area they are calling the Heart of Brackendale.
"I certainly support the Farmers Institute and the residents of Brackendale with the idea of conserving as much of that area for community green space as possible," said Beckham.
The Squamish Nation and McDonald Development Corporation have approached the B.C. government to buy the 32-acre area of Crown land located in the Cheekye Fan for a proposed residential development.
The BFI is lobbying all levels of government to retain the land as a park.
"It is not good enough for a developer to promise 'greenspace,'" states a BFI leaflet. "This park is an are of old second growth Douglas Fir missed forest, home to hummingbirds, owlswe need this park right here, right now, more than ever."
Beckham said Gordon Lightfoot's music is suited to that message.
"Many of the themes there are consistent with the idea of community and park space."
