BY KIRSTEN BOLTON
FOR ARTSPRING
With ArtSpring’s annual fundraising auction Treasure Fair set to put over 600 items up for bid between Wednesday, July 10 to Saturday, July 13, the popular summer event has also become known for staging a festive Friday night concert.
Those who love or are curious about jazz will not want to miss Raagaverse, a creative Indo-jazz quartet whose members fuse two deeply historical and culturally significant genres with unexpected and explosive cohesion: ancient Hindustani melodies and jazz.
Quickly rising Indian vocal talent Shruti Ramani and Juno-nominated bassist Jodi Proznick, who both appeared at ArtSpring as part of the all-female jazz Ostara Project in March, are joined by pianist Noah Franche-Nolan and drummer Nicholas Bracewell for the July 12 event. All noted musicians in their own rights, they came together for this jazz experiment in Vancouver in 2022.
Since then, Raagaverse has received attention and appreciation from Canada’s music scene, including performances at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Jazz YYC Canadian Festival and Jazz at the Bolt.
In May 2024, they released their debut album Jaya, which includes tracks ranging from a groovy Bollywood bossa nova to arrangements of the “raga,” the colourful, emotional, melodic framework of Indian classical music. Lyrics in Raagaverse’s music tell stories of love, grief, longing and a sense of being at home, underscored by dynamic jazz harmonies.
“Having concerts like this during Treasure Fair has been a wonderful way to create a festival atmosphere for our fundraiser,” said Catherine Griffiths, chair of Treasure Fair’s organizing committee. “Ticket buyers can tour the gallery display of auction items prior to the show or visit during intermission, have a glass of wine and really make an event of it.”
Tickets to the concert can be purchased at the box office or at tickets.artspring.ca.
With just over 600 items up for bid this year, including travel and holidays, seasons’ tickets to arts and culture venues, vintage furniture, collectables, art and jewelry, food and wine baskets, BBQ and pizza ovens, life and learning experiences, and more, islanders will find something for every interest and budget.
Some of the spotlight items include a legendary Fender Jazzmaster electric guitar, a hand-crafted $10,000 wooden kayak and the Porsche 356 Speedster custom-built replica valuated at over $80,000.
In honour of ArtSpring’s 25th anniversary this year, Treasure Fair has also launched a platform to contribute either $25 or $250 to the cause. The proceeds will go towards the replacement of the threadbare and stained carpets in the building. After 25 years of wonderful community traffic to countless concerts, performances, films, school shows and exhibitions, the carpeting is getting a much-needed overhaul. The first phase will happen this August.
Registration at treasurefair.artspring.ca is required to bid and to review the catalogue. Donors and registrants are invited to the Preview Gala Wednesday, July 10 from 4 to 6 p.m., prior to bidding going live online.
Treasure Fair is ArtSpring’s most important annual fundraiser with a goal of raising $55,000. Last year was ArtSpring’s most successful drive, and the hope is in its 25th Anniversary Season, the event will reach a new level of support.