The first annual Route 19A Music Festival is a family friendly event that gets rolling along Vancouver Island’s Highway 19A on August 30 with stops in Qualicum Beach before arriving in Parksville the following weekend. Take in evening concerts, a dance, and a musical storytelling evening, all featuring headline performers. Don’t miss the two free matinees, one with local professional musicians and the other with emerging young artists who’ll amaze you with their musicality all the while capturing your heart.
Let’s start with Qualicum. The opening event on Friday, August 30 is a blockbuster dance with two bands, the blues rock group Auntie Kate and the Uncles of Funk, and the Zydeco ensemble Bijuox du Bayou. On Saturday afternoon, bring a lawn chair and relax as gypsy jazz trio String Fever, folk duo Zach and Jim, and vocalist Sylvia Humble entertain you at a free matinee in Heard Square sponsored by the Mulberry Bush Bookstore and the Qualicum Bakery and Cafe. Stay in town for the kitchen party that evening with Victoria Celtic band Hounds of Cuchulain, and be sure to take in Sunday night's special concert by Blue Moon Marquee, fresh off multiple Maple Blues awards and a Juno for their latest album, “Scream, Holler & Howl”.
Parksville's first show is on the following Friday, September 6. It's a feature presentation of well-loved songs from singer songwriter Paul Simon's extensive playlist. 'Still Crazy' presents top BC musicians Helen Austin, Doug Cox, Tom and Kalissa Landa, and Mick Sherlock interpreting their personal favourites. 'Party on the Plaza' the next afternoon showcases talented young Vancouver Island artists. You'll be introduced to Parksville’s DJ Connor, Nanaimo blues rockers the James Vickers Band, and Duncan singer songwriter Malakai - all thanks to the Parksville Downtown Business Association. The festival winds up at the MAC with a Saturday evening performance of "Once Upon a Fiddle" performed by storyteller Rachel Dunstan Muller accompanied by violinist Nicholas Ross. This unique presentation is sponsored by the Oceanside Community Arts Council.
The festival website is your roadmap for dates, times, venues, and ticket information as well as for artists' bios and performance videos. Make your first stop the McMillan Box Office where you can buy individual tickets or get a discounted package for $115, a saving of $20. Please note we’re unable to discount the ticket price for the Blue Moon Marquee concert on Sunday, September 1.
Our thanks go to the Province of BC, the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation, Parksville Downtown Business Association, Regional District of Nanaimo, and Coastal Community Credit Union for their generous support of Vancouver Island’s first annual Route 19A Music Festival. – Jennifer Bate, Valerie Dare, Laurel Karjala, Mick Sherlock, Brian Sutton
Tickets for individual Events
Qualicum Beach
Auntie Kate & the Uncles of Funk/Bijoux du Bayou, August 30st 7 - 9pm – $35 Click HERE
String Fever/Zach and Jim/Sylvia Humble, August 31st 2 - 4pm - FREE
Hounds of Cuchulain, August 31st 7 - 9pm - $30 Click HERE
Blue Moon Marquee, September 1st 7 - 9pm - $40 Click HERE
Parksville
Still Crazy – The Paul Simon Songbook, September 6th 7 - 9pm - $40 Click HERE
Party on the Plaza, September 7th 11am - 3pm - FREE
Once Upon A Fiddle, September 7th 7 - 9pm - $30 Click HERE
Festival Ticket Package HERE (Blue Moon Marquee excluded)
