Looking to escape February鈥檚 chilly grip for an afternoon?

Join the Comox Valley鈥檚 Sarah Hagen on a sun-soaked musical odyssey and leave winter behind.

The Sid Williams Theatre Society presents Sarah Hagen: Tropical Classical & The Story of Babar the Elephant on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. as part of their Blue Circle Series.

An ode to the tropics, Hagen embarked on this unique piano project last year, driven by the desire to infuse a little bit of warmth into the midst of winter.

鈥淲hen I was putting this together, I thought it鈥檚 kind of fun in the middle of February to pretend you鈥檙e not in the dead of winter,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he show is in two parts. The first half is going to be classical piano music from warmer climates.鈥�

Tantalizing tangos, lush serenades and oceanic compositions by Albeniz, Carreno, Respighi and more will transport the audience far from the Valley鈥檚 grey skies and slushy realities.

鈥淎nd then the second half is a beautiful piece of music by [French composer and pianist, Francis] Poulenc, which was written to go with the story of Babar the elephant, and alternates between a narrator and the music.鈥�

What sets this part of the performance apart is not just its evocative composition but the incorporation of artwork from local children.

Students from a classroom at Cumberland Community School were given sentences from the Babar story to illustrate, and these illustrations will be projected onto the stage, creating a larger-than-life storybook experience. Accompanied by narration by local thespian Simon Easterman, it promises to be captivating.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such a beautiful story, kind of magical, and there aren鈥檛 that many pieces with children鈥檚 story set to music鈥� it鈥檚 one of the most famous ones. I鈥檝e done this for almost two decades with artwork in various communities and classrooms. It鈥檚 just a beautiful way to invite young listeners into the creative process to be part of something on the main stage.鈥�

It鈥檚 that inclusive and immersive atmosphere that Hagen seeks to create in all her performances. While every concert is distinct in theme and content, the aim is always the same.

鈥淪ome definitely have a more profound feeling to them and some shows are light and more uplifting鈥� they are all different. But I hope people always feel welcome and quietly satisfied.鈥�

And this show鈥檚 theme? Definitely light-hearted. Did we mention the costume contest?

鈥淭here鈥檚 also going to be a tropical outfit contest with prizes, so people can dress up with their Hawaiian shirts or, I don鈥檛 know, fruit on their head. There is no pressure, of course, but I think it will be fun to feel we鈥檙e all on some weird classical music cruise for the afternoon鈥� It鈥檚 to kind of lighten up the winter season and just be feeling joyful together.鈥�

Now a resident of PEI, Hagen comes back to the Valley often to visit family and loves to have the chance to perform and share joy locally, especially at this venue.

鈥淢y favourite part of this particular time playing in Courtenay is that I鈥檓 back at the Sid Williams Theatre, which has been part of my world for my whole life from when I danced in Pantuso doing dance recitals as a little girl and then other music recitals and so on. I always love being back in the Valley.鈥�

Hagen鈥檚 musical journey has taken her from the Sid to Carnegie Hall and beyond, including a memorable show last summer with cellist Marit Sj枚din at a 12th century cathedral on a Swedish island.

While she regularly engages in such collaborations and chamber music ensembles, she notes that solo performances like this one allow her to bask in the solitary realm of artistic expression.

鈥淚 do play a lot more solo shows now. I enjoy the solitude of long drives and kind of being your own boss.鈥�

Looking ahead, Hagen is amid planning her new solo album set to release in 2025. The album will feature compositions by a lesser-known French composer and pianist C茅cile Chaminade.

Of course, her commitment to providing live, in-person experiences remains unwavering. In fact, she says that in the wake of the pandemic, she has observed a renewed enthusiasm for live performances.

鈥淚鈥檝e found audiences are very happy to be back in venues and that the audiences are bigger than before the pandemic. I see people craving real, in-person experiences.鈥� She also notes, with a chuckle, that there鈥檚 a lot less coughing at concerts.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always the argument about people not wanting to leave their houses because things could be available online. But I believe that humans crave interaction. So I think there will always be audiences, and I see that growing even more as the years go on.鈥�

Be a part of the upcoming audience and experience music that warms hearts and transcends seasons. Tickets are available now online, by phone or in person at the box office. For additional information about Sarah Hagen: Tropical Classical & The Story of Babar the Elephant, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.