Yesterday was the first in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s (BPAC) 2022–2023 Live and Local series, hosted by the Mark Lalama Trio, with headliner Suzie Vinnick and local singer/songwriter Sophia Tice.
The Live and Local series takes place in the smaller community studio theatre, an intimate setting with tables set up on the ground floor, and a balcony upstairs with a single line of bar chairs, all with an unimpeded view of the stage. BPAC’s executive director, Tammy Fox, welcomed the audience, and was followed by event sponsor and Desjardins agent/agency owner Daniel Durst, who introduced the Mark Lalama Trio.
Then the Mark Lalama Trio, consisting of Mark Lalama on keyboards, Davide DiRenzo on drums, and Rich Moore on the bass, all contributing to vocals, started off the performance with a set of their original music, getting the crowd relaxed and bopping their heads.
The size and community feel of the theatre allows the artists more freedom to talk to their audience; Mark Lalama sprinkles the performance with personal anecdotes and banter with his bandmates.
Fifteen-year-old award-winning Burlington singer Sophia Tice was up after the trio’s first set, showcasing her gorgeous vocals despite coming down with a bit of laryngitis on the day. Apparently, there was a last-minute song change due to her slight loss of voice, from what Mark Lalama termed “a belter” to a softer song. Sophia’s father Kevin Tice joined in for Sophia’s second song, the first father-daughter duo to play at BPAC. What is particularly amazing is that the musicians only sat down with Sophia earlier in the day to listen to and make some notes on this new song, performing it all together for the first time upon hitting the stage in front of the audience. Had they not said so, you’d never know.
After a brief intermission, headliner Suzie Vinnick wowed the audience with her soaring voice and guitar-playing. Hearing this Juno nominee and many-time Maple Blues award-winner in BPAC’s small theatre allowed the audience to take in every note of her amazing range.
The Mark Lalama Trio played another brief set, followed by all of the performers taking to the stage one last time to play together. It was like watching friends just hang out and jam — if your friends are all fantastically talented professional musicians.
The next Live and Local is happening on Sunday, November 20, at 4 p.m., and will feature Marc Jordan and Alyssa Giammaria, hosted as always by the Mark Lalama Trio. For tickets ($39.50 or, if you are a BPAC member, $34.50), call the box office at 905-681-6000 or buy online at burlingtonpac.ca.
