A new recital society is aiming to increase the amount of shows by professional musicians in New Westminster.

Called Up Close Recital Society, the project is the brainchild of Jesse Cahill and Kelly Proznick — a married couple with local ties. The society’s first event will take place on Thursday, January 26th, and will be an evening of music from western movies and TV shows.

Western Promises (as the event is called) will see Dave Sikula on guitar, Chris Gestrin on organ and keyboard, and Cahill himself on drums. The trio will perform music from A Fistful of Dollars, Once Upon a Time in the West and others. The event will take place at Old Crow Coffee Co.

In a press release, Cahill said: ““Westerns to me present optimism in the face of the unknown and a sense of exploration that is similar to the musical approach of this trio. Also intriguing in the clash of old and new and the display of inevitable change and progress. There is a sense of nostalgia for a more basic existence, triumph of idealism and a simplified moral code. From a cinematography perspective, these films show the beauty of wide open spaces and stillness found in nature.”

In addition to being a professional drummer, Cahill is head of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music’s jazz department. Proznick is head of the visual and performing arts department and choral director at New Westminster Secondary School.

Follow Up Close Recital Society on Facebook for information about this and future events.

Western Promises

When: Thursday, January 26th, 2017

Time: From 7pm

Where: Old Crow Coffee Co., 655 Front Street, New Westminster

Tickets: $20 ($15 for seniors/students), available online or at the door