A Nanaimo vocalist known for her tribute to French songstress 脡dith Piaf has won a prestigious provincial award.

The lieutenant governor of B.C., Janet Austin, awarded Jo毛lle Rabu with a Lieutenant GovernorB次元官网网址檚 Arts and Music Award as part of celebrations in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth IIB次元官网网址檚 Platinum Jubilee.

Along with the other recipients, Rabu was honoured at a celebration ceremony at the Government House in Victoria on Aug. 23.

B次元官网网址淭he award was really quite special because it was from an outside entity. ItB次元官网网址檚 not somebody that you hear or talk with every day or who are B次元官网网址榠n the businessB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� but they recognize the business. And itB次元官网网址檚 very nice to be recognized,B次元官网网址� said Rabu. B次元官网网址淚 was honoured and humbled.B次元官网网址�

The Lieutenant GovernorB次元官网网址檚 Arts and Music Awards are one-time awards given in recognition of individuals, groups and organizations throughout the province who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, community engagement and commitment through fostering and mentoring others in the fields of visuals arts, music or performance.

B次元官网网址淚 think the award has to do with how long IB次元官网网址檝e been in the arts,B次元官网网址� Rabu said. B次元官网网址淚 mean tourism and supporting the arts, supporting the players in the arts, has always been a real important part of my life B次元官网网址� And, of course, supporting a lot of young upcoming artists. I really believe in that. B次元官网网址�

Throughout her career, which she said started in Vancouver in the early 1980s as a B次元官网网址淐inderella storyB次元官网网址� after being dragged by her older brother to a music director for a live performance, Rabu has helped countless artists B次元官网网址渟tage their craftB次元官网网址� by offering them guidance and different perspectives for the stage.

B次元官网网址淔or many young performers, sometimes just being thrown into a theatre show or a show on a big stage is quite daunting,B次元官网网址� she said.

Rabu has helped the community at large through various fundraisers, including for TheatreOne, the Vancouver Island Symphony, the Port Theatre, and even volunteered with the Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre dB次元官网网址櫭塺able for 10 years.

B次元官网网址淣anaimo has been my community since 1995 B次元官网网址� I saw the Port Theatre being built. In fact I was singing at the opening ceremonies and at the groundbreaking,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f IB次元官网网址檓 going to take from the stage, I have to give [back].B次元官网网址�

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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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