She made an indelible impact on the arts community in South Delta. Now her friends and family are coming together to celebrate her life the only way they know how – through music.
On Saturday, Aug. 3 as part of the Tsawwassen Sun Festival, Legacy of the Arts – a tribute to Natasha D’Agostino will be held at Diefenbaker Park. The outdoor concert, being presented by the Delta Community Music School, is from 3 to 9 p.m. and will feature music from friends and family representing the community of South Delta.
D’Agostino was tragically killed in a car accident in the early morning hours of Jan. 6 on Highway 99 in Richmond.
Friend and fellow musician Blaine Davies is just one of the many volunteers who is helping to organize the concert.
He said D’Agostino’s death is still being felt throughout the community.
“I was in a band with Natasha when we were in Grade 9. She was a really good friend – we grew up together,” said Davies. “Her death has left a giant hole in the community.”
Besides a talented singer and musician, D’Agostino was also an instructor at the Music School.
Director Stephen Robb said the school wanted to do something to honour her memory, but out of respect for the family wanted to wait until the time was right.
“We just wanted to go slow and do this right,” said Robb. “I’ve known Natasha for years both as a teacher at the school and we’ve played alongside each other at performances for years. We felt right away that the school needed to do something. We informally dedicated the last concert of the recent Jazz Festival in her honour and we want to do more to keep her name alive.”
Davies said a celebration of life was held following her passing at Capilano University in North Vancouver, where D’Agostino went to school. It was at the celebration that Davies and other musical colleagues spoke with the family about the outdoor concert idea to allow the South Delta community to honour and remember her.
“When I spoke with her father, this smile just came over his face and he said this is amazing, so at that point I thought this would be something the family would appreciate,” he said. “So we sat down with others and the family and decided this would be a great idea for a concert in the park to pay tribute to her.”
Besides the Music School, sponsorship support has been provided by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Low Cost Equipment and the Sun Festival.
“The community support has been amazing,” said Davies. “It takes a village to put on something like this and every ask has just been what can I do to help. It’s heartwarming to see the love and support for Natasha and her family.”
