Edie Daponte’s endearing qualities make her the primary choice for venues booking Valentine’s Day shows.
Daponte resonates love and her beautiful heartfelt songs – both originals and well-known favourites – have been captivating audiences for years.
Valentine’s Day has especially become her beat and she’ll be at the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton on Friday, Feb. 10 for a fabulous dinner and show as part of a busy schedule of five performances in as many days.
“Probably the busiest I’ve ever been is this year maybe because people are getting back out,” said Daponte.
For her show ‘I Wish You Love’, she’ll be accompanied by some of Victoria’s finest jazz musicians, including Attila Fias on piano, Joey Smith on bass and Damian Graham on drums.
For those who attended Daponte’s spectacular pre-COVID Valentine’s Day show on a snowy night in Crofton in 2019, Fias is the only change to the quartet. Karel Roessingh played keyboards on that previous occasion.
“I’ve been working with Attila most recently,” said Daponte. “He’s fabulous. We’re lucky to have him on the Island now.”
Fias arrived on the Island just before COVID and “he’s becoming the go-to pianist in town,” Daponte noted. Fias makes frequent trips to maintain connections in Toronto where he was very successful.
Smith is a mainstay with Daponte everywhere she performs. “Joey’s my long-time collaborator, for sure,” she said. “He’s a good friend.”
Daponte looks forward to the beginning of the love tour in Crofton.
“I love performing there,” she said. “It’s a great stage and the sound is wonderful.”
Related story: It’s a lovebeat at Daponte’s Valentine’s Day show
Daponte played in Crofton last year at this time, the first since that 2019 appearance before COVID put its stamp on live performances, and “we were so grateful for the audience love and the support from owners Patricia (Berry) and Tony (Van de Mortel) at Osborne Bay Pub,” she noted. “They are huge supporters of the live music scene and we appreciate the kindness and support they provide musicians.
“This year, I think, is the year we can all really sing and dance together,” Daponte enthused. “It’s nice to be a little more free with the singing and the dancing.
“I kind of live in the moment, especially since COVID. I feel what I’m doing is working and it’s resonating with people. It feels right. I feel like I need to continue on this path.”
The show is ideal for everyone who wants to celebrate love. There’s even a chance for the audience to sing along to tunes such as ’Stand By Me’.
Daponte will be including some fan favourite originals, including ‘Little Town by the Sea’ and ’Sliver of Time’, and she’s debuting a new original song called ‘Lovin’ is Easy.’
Daponte is also known for her special delivery of international songs.
“I’m including a few French songs, Portugese, Spanish,” she said. “It’s not really as many as I used to do.”
With different genres and different tempos, “the show is definitely unique,” said Daponte.
There is limited seating for the dinner and show. For ticket information and dinner selection details, click here.
There are dinner seatings at 5 and 6 p.m., with the show at 7 p.m.
Call the pub for table reservation time and to select a dinner option at 250-324-2245.
Following the Crofton show, Daponte and her quartet will be at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria Feb. 11, Knox United at Parksville Feb. 12, Maple Bay Yacht Club for members Feb. 13 and at RIVA in Sidney on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14.
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