The Geomatic Attic hosted an intimate night of stories and song at the Southminster United Church, Feb. 26 to help Womanspace. Approximately 250 people sat enraptured by Ontario songwriter Sarah Slean, who had a string quartet of a cello, viola and two violins sitting centre 
stage, a keyboardist / vocalist on the the right hand of the stage, and her drummer and a standup bassist standing behind everyone, silhouetted by a screen showing images of a full moon rising over gently lapping waves which seemed flow in time with gently cascading layers of instrumentation and gentle melodies.
The perky and quirky Slean herself sat rapt in front of a baby grand piano whispering “you guys are so attentive.”
She was an interesting blend of free-spirited hippie and ultra professional classical musician, dressed in a beautiful black dress. She’d sing majestically in a powerful voice which belied her tiny frame, then turned to the crowd and grinned to them “My love affair with Lethbridge has begun.” In between songs, perhaps most presciently she giggled “Oh she’s so weird. She’s nothing like her Youtube videos” as she danced and weaved with herself in time to a tune only she could hear in her head.
She played some beautiful, majestic piano while sang pretty, gorgeous and heart-stopping melodies.
Slean stepped up from behind her piano to come to the side of the stage to sing a couple of her older, popular hits including “Lucky Me” as her keyboardist / vocalist crept behind the piano, but she focused on performing the “Sea” side of her new “Land and Sea” double album.
“I’m not on a major record label anymore, so I can do crazy conceptual things like this. I’m on a boutique label,” she sighed.
“Napoleon,” From the new Cd was a highlight as she breathed she had disturbing dreams so the only way to free herself from them was to write a song.
She had a voice 
reminiscent of No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani though her music blended classical music with French Cabaret and jazz with just a touch of the folk-pop that made her Canadian famous.
She sang a few from the “Land” CD including “Life,” which drew one particularly loud cheer from an audience member.
“That guy really likes that song,” she breathed as she shyly looked back at her piano.
Opening act Ian Kelly, acoustic guitar held over his head, wound his way through a maze of microphones, cords and strings players on stage to sing one of his songs with her as she wound down her set by breathing “Oh Lethbridge.”
Kelly played an enjoyable opening set as well, whispering to the crowd and gently strumming pleasant melodies on his acoustic guitar.
