Showcase stage 2015 lineup
10 to 10:45 a.m. – Steve Laszcz
11 to 11:45 a.m. – Don Alder
12 to 12:45 p.m. – Sudanda
1 to 1:45 p.m. – Doug Towle Trio
2 to 2:45 p.m. – Token Rhyme
3 to 3:45 p.m. – Cypress Creek Duo
4 to 4:45 p.m. – Mike Weterings
Steve Laszcz sat across the table from the organizer of Arts Alive a decade ago, applying for the volunteer position of coordinator for the one-day street festival.
The Langley musician was admittedly a little nervous.
A friend and fellow musician had recommended him for the post, when all Laszcz had been seeking out a turn on stage.
He listened intently as Teri James explained what she did and didn’t want on the main stage of this arts-focused event.
She was adamant she didn’t want heavy rock or karaoke-style cover tune performers.
She wanted someone who could not only play but could pull together an electic series of Lower Mainland musicians offering primarily original, upbeat, enjoyable tunes.
Laszcz’s nervousness left in an instant, replaced by almost uncontrollable laughter, as James slid a CD across the table.
This is the kind of music she wanted to see showcased on the Arts Alive stage, she said.
Looking down at the CD, he suddenly had confidence that he the right man for the job. After all, it was his CD she was handing him.
More than a decade later, Laszcz is still organizing the main musical contributions for Arts Alive, and he, too, will be performing this Saturday on the main stage in McBurney Plaza.
Recovered from an injured finger that kept him from performing last year, Laszcz will be first on stage this weekend, starting at 10 a.m.
Then he’s followed by a series of Lower Mainland performers, including a few acts from Langley, including the Doug Towle Trio, Token Rhyme, and the Cypress Creek Duo.
“What I’m trying to do is highlight unique talent that is original and that I think will be interesting for the people at the festival to listen to,” said Laszcz, who claims to still be loving his job.
“I will keep doing it as long as Teri keeps asking me to do it… I will keep trying to keep it fresh. I will keep trying to keep it unique.”
James seems content to keep him around, too.
“We are delighted to once again be working with Steve Laszcz on the Arts Alive Showcase Stage,” James said.
“In addition to being a very talented musician himself, Steve is extremely well connected to the music community and always manages to bring to the festival an exciting mix of contemporary, acoustic, jazz and some oldies but goodies for everyone’s listening enjoyment,” she added.