Following a long and arduous cycling trip from East Toronto to Niagara Falls, at long-last, local pianist James Levac has returned from his expedition just in time to present The Extremely Solo Piano Concert this week.
The concert is a one-night show that brings together an eclectic group of talented musicians for a relaxed, entertaining celebration of music at Fatih Presbyterian Community Church, 140 Dawes Rd., on Saturday, Oct. 24.
“The concert is an opportunity to share the music I’ve been making in Toronto and beyond, including my long-running outdoor piano performances,” said Levac in an email to Beach Metro Community News.
The live music experience, which takes place
The live music experience, which takes place from 8 to 10 p.m., will feature a long list of unique performances centred around the artist’s restored 1895 Mason & Risch grand piano. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
“The performers include singer-guitarist Bonnie Memphis, performing roots rock and vintage favourites; vocalist Shraddha Pai, whose repertoire spans jazz, swing, Bollywood and Brazilian samba; accordionist Fabrice Sicco, bringing French café music and gypsy swing; and cellist, composer and improviser Cheryl Okrant, whose work explores classical, ambient and experimental music,” said Levac.
Last fall, Levac embarked on an expedition to travel with his piano-mounted tricycle from Toronto to Niagara Falls to connect with a broader audience and give music fans across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area an opportunity to experience his live performances firsthand.
Levac’s cycling expedition was part of a three-segment journey he called The Extremely Solo Piano Concert Tour.
The musical journey saw him travelling
The musical journey saw him travelling with his grand piano-mounted tricycle from Toronto to Hamilton last fall. He then continued to Niagara Falls this spring, before culminating his journey in June with a boat ride to transport himself and the piano back to Toronto.
Levac reflected on his journey, noting that his love for music and self-exploration serve as the underlying themes of his upcoming short film which documents his recent travels.
“The project brings together several things I love: music, transportation, the outdoors and finding unconventional ways to bring people together through music,” said Levac.
The story is ultimately about more than transporting
“The story is ultimately about more than transporting an instrument. It’s about the possibilities that open up when you combine music with a willingness to experiment, explore and do things a little differently. My outdoor piano has already given me thousands of hours of musical encounters along Toronto’s waterfront, and this project extends that spirit into a new adventure.”
For information on attending this Saturday’s concert, please go to www.eventbrite.com/e/the-extremely-solo-piano-concert-tickets-1999289707334
