Heart & Soul--Songwriters' Showcase Fundraising Concert

Amazing talent showcased at this Concerts For The Common Good fundraiser--feel their music and hear the inspiration!

Award-winning local musicians, Brodie Lee Dawson, Alley McCulloch, Ricky Paquette, and Nathan Senner will share their songs and stories about what inspired them in this evening concert that is sure to touch your heart and make you feel so grateful that such amazing talent lives right here in the Comox Valley!

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 each at Laughing Oyster Bookstore or on Eventbrite; or they will be $30 at the door. The musicians have chosen the Comox Valley Food Bank as the charity partner to share in the proceeds with St. George's United Church.

Named “Vocalist of the Year” at the Vancouver Island Music Awards and nominated for “Best Live Act” for two consecutive years, Brodie Lee Dawson treats audiences to her rich, riveting voice that is powerful and full of soul. She describes her music as “soulful, bluesy folk with a gospel funk, a twist of pop, and a twang of old-school country.” True to all those genres, she sings of life, love, searching, and finding your way.

Alley McCulloch is a guitarist and powerful vocalist bringing heartfelt original music to the stage. Blending soulful blues with pop-inspired melodies, McCulloch’s music is honest and personal. With expressive guitar playing and a voice that demands to be heard, each song tells a story and invites listeners to feel right beside her.

Ricky Paquette, a solo artist and guitarist with The Sheepdogs, started playing guitar at the age of 9 in Quebec and was considered a prodigy by the age of 13—playing with Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Martin Deschamp, Angel Forrest, and Bruce Cockburn as a teen. In 2010, he released his first album—melding his love of rock and blues with pop and psychedelia for a unique sound. He joined The Sheepdogs in 2022 --touring Canada, the US, UK, and Australia—and recently toured with Bryan Adams.

Nathan Senner has been playing guitar since his 20s--writing for more than 30 years, and producing multiple solo releases and releasing four solo albums. His songs are about life and the human condition. His music is crafted with honesty, performed with heart, and the richness of his smooth vocal style is enchanting to hear. Senner is a respected songwriter, a multiple finalist in the Cowichan Folk Guild songwriting competition; and he was nominated for both “Song of the Year” and “Vocalist of the Year” at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.

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. Since 2023, the church donated more than $60,000 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 (founded 113 years ago) 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.