The Agur Lake Camp Society presents Justin Hines in Concert with Special Guests Ash and Bloom on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at Centre Stage Theatre. This benefit concert, in Support of Agur Lake Camp Society, is part of Justin Hines’ Vehicle of Change Tour.
Hines has been doing a North American fundraising tour since early summer in support of various charities and non-profits across the continent.
Tickets for the Summerland performance are available at The Sweet Tooth on Victoria Road North.
Even though Hines grew up singing in church at his grandmother’s behest, his realization that music is not only his path, but also his destiny came at the most unlikely of places — at a Toronto Raptors’ basketball game in front of thousands, 15 years ago.
Hines, then 14 years old, won a vocal competition to sing the Canadian and U.S national anthems at the game and his world opened up before him.
“In that moment, it all seemed possible,” he recalls. “That performance eliminated any stage fright.”
Thrown in the deep end, Hines, who has performed professionally ever since, realized he could not only survive, but thrive.
But then again, Hines has thrived all his life against odds that would daunt someone with a less indomitable spirit.
Hines has Larsen Syndrome, a joint dislocation condition that has him permanently using a wheelchair.
“The reality is I don’t really look at my situation as that big a deal,” he says. “We all have things that challenge us, just some people’s are a little more visible in the forefront. Mine is very apparent, whereas others wear it on the inside.”
Hines has performed across the globe, throughout Europe, China, the Middle East, South Africa and North America. He performed at the Beijing Olympics supported by Sheila E, the Vancouver Olympics and the Pan Am Games in Mexico.
Hines released his fifth studio album “How We Fly” this spring. His home in the music world is not cut and dry.
“Most people assume there are challenges to being a performer in a wheelchair and indeed there are some, but when an audience sees you climb on stage via a giant metal ramp, you kind of have their attention,” says Hines.
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If you know of an event you feel should be included in the Arts Palette or on the Arts Council’s online calendar, please email artspalette@summerlandarts.com or call 250-404-3225. summerlandarts.com and twitter.com/artspalette.
The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, Publicity Chair and President of the Summerland Community Arts Council, PO Box 1217, 9533 Main Street, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.