Georgia Strait Big Band Concert & Dance Fundraiser

Keeping Big Band Alive In the Valley & Helping Non-Profits!

St. George’s United Church will kick-off the 2025 season of "Concerts For A Common Cause" with a concert & dance featuring The Georgia Strait Big Band on Sunday, February 9, 2-4pm.

With more than 300 songs in their repertoire, the Georgia Strait Big Band is keeping bag band music alive in the Comox Valley and is ready to entertain all who love music from that era.

The band has been under the direction of Conductor Greg Bush, an acclaimed Professor of Jazz Studies, for the past 17 years; and members of the band are accomplished musicians who range in age from 17 to 83.

Conductor Greg Bush commented , "This afternoon performance will offer something for everyone with concert style seating and a dance floor to enjoy a wonderful two-set performance featuring some of your favourite big band songs."

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 each at Laughing Oyster Bookstore or on Eventbrite; or they will be $25 at the door.

The Georgia Strait Band has chosen the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre as the non-profit partner to share in the proceeds with St. George's United Church, which donated more than $40,000 to area non-profits in 2023 and more in 2024.

CYMC was founded in the Valley in 1966 as a non-profit to help youth explore and develop skills in jazz and classical music, as well as other genres; it also hosts camps and workshops for musical theater and choral performances.

In addition to its concert series which started in 2023, St. George’s raises funds through a variety of events during the year to benefit local non-profits. In 2024, the church donated more than $_____ to community groups, including Habitat for Humanity, LUSH, the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Coldest Night of the Year, CYMC, the Comox Valley Child Development Association, the Transition Society, and many others.

Located in the heart of downtown Courtenay at 505 6th Street, St. George’s United Church is a spiritually vibrant, inclusive, justice-seeking community of faith that has been changing lives in the Comox Valley for over a century. Its vision is to be a Christian Church that is a beacon of God’s love and hope in the community, doing so through unconditional welcome, spiritual transformation, and reaching out in love for the common good.

St. George’s weekly Sunday service is at 10:30 am, followed by a coffee social in the fellowship hall. Families with young children are very welcome. St. George’s has a diverse group of more than 30 young children who participate in the Children’s Church while their parents and grandparents remain in the main service. www.stgeorgesunited.com.