R19A Events

Weaving words and music, local storyteller Rachel Dunstan Muller and violinist Nicholas Ross travel across five centuries to bring some of the violin’s most extraordinary stories to life. This is history like you’ve never heard it: a folk tune caught on the wind of a lonely Irish island, a heroic string quartet in a city under siege, the brilliant solos of one of the world’s most unlikely virtuosas – and more. Join us for an event that celebrates the power of music and the indomitability of the human spirit.

Rachel Dunstan Muller 

Rachel is an active member of Nanaimo's Around Town Tellers, a past participant of Canadian Children's Book Week, and a Canada Council of the Arts grant recipient. She’s told stories on the east coast and the west coast, in kindergarten classes and retirement homes, bars and churches, living rooms and theatres, a decommissioned milking parlour, and a city council chamber. A published author, she spends as much time as she can exploring the wild spaces around

Join five of the West Coast’s finest roots and Americana performers in this loving tribute to the music of the elder statesman of American Folk/Pop, Paul Simon. 

Featured artists are Helen Austin, Doug Cox, Tom and Kalissa Landa, and Mick Sherlock.

Helen is a Juno winner and renowned singer songwriter. A Paul Simon aficionado, Helen performs solo and as a member of Big Little Lions. She has won many awards including a JUNO Award, John Lennon Songwriting Competition Song of the Year and two Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Musician, producer, radio host, songwriter, festival founder - there is little that Doug Cox hasn’t done in his 30-year career in music. An expert Dobroist and multi-instrumentalist, Doug has performed and toured as a sideman to a who's who of Americana and Roots artists; he currently performs with folk icon Linda McRae.

Juno winners Tom and Kalissa Landa are lead members of roots sensation, The Paperboys, and possess a deep understanding of Simon's material. Tom's fin

Blue Moon Marquee write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps, or grooves. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) have played for crowds at jazz clubs, dance halls, folk venues, blues haunts, hospitals, prisons, markets, motorcycle joints, dive bars and prestigious festival stages. 

Cardinal’s distinctive and soulful vocals barrel out like a raging bull while his guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues. Colette not only commands the upright bass but also brings the rhythm with her feet on a custom foot drum kit, all while singing in her signature honey-dipped tone.

The result of nine years of rigorous touring, crisscrossing Europe and North America, is a distinct energy and style from this acclaimed duo. Awarded a Juno for best Blues Album of 2024 for “Scream, Holler & Howl” and three Maple Blues Awards in 2023, Blue Moon Marquee are at the top of their game.

Review

“A.W. and

The Hounds of Cuchulain are a high-energy Celtic folk band from Victoria BC who perform a wide selection of Irish, Scottish, English, and original songs in the Celtic tradition dating from the 1600’s all the way up to the 1980’s. Stylistically inspired by such folk giants as the Dubliners, Pogues, and the Corries, the group’s performances feature rowdy pub songs, historical ballads, energetic dance tunes, engaging storytelling, and haunting airs on the Irish harp.

The Hounds of Cuchulain have reached their two-year anniversary. Since their inception they have performed over 200 shows: from pubs to private parties, on boats and at benefits, folk clubs to major folk festivals. The band has released two full length albums,“Rebels, Rogues, & Roustabouts” and “Here’s the Grog”, and are headed back to the studio this upcoming year to record an album of original songs.

The group is led by seasoned performer and composer Wolf Edwards on lead vocal and guitar, and joined by Madeleine Townley on

 String Fever

String Fever is Vancouver Island's most recent addition to the genre of Gypsy Jazz. Two driving guitars and a fiery fiddle take you back to 1940's Paris as Tom, Al Medcalf, and Mike Andersen embrace the magic of Django Reinhardt with panache.

Multi-instrumentalist Tom Neville is a seasoned pro, recording and touring with Juno award winner James Keelaghan and chanteuse extraordinaire, Joelle Rabu. Tom’s playing offers up a wide variety of musical styles and tastes; Folk, Celtic, Blues, Pop, Jazz (Gypsy and Swing), Country and Ethnic genres are often featured, performed both live and in the recording studio. Tom is a freelance multi-instrumentalist who plays violin, guitar, mandolin, bass guitar and is a singer. In 2001 he released his first solo CD, Highly Strung. 

Alan Medcalf has been a professional musician for his entire life, performing on stage, TV, radio and recordings. Al has sat on many music industry boards and committees and has an extensive background as a prod

Auntie Kate & the Uncles of Funk

This four-piece band serves up hot Blues, R&B, Soul and Funk and is fronted by a charismatic singer with a style all her own. Auntie Kate hits the stage like a barely controlled force of nature, appearing larger than life despite her small stature. Outfitted with dark glasses and with an unabashed stage presence, Auntie Kate takes no prisoners. 

Auntie Kate: Vocals, Accordion

Tom Bowler: Guitar, Vocals

Bil Underwood: Bass, Vocals

Bijoux du Bayou 

Since 1997 Victoria’s Bijoux Du Bayou has combined Cajun, Zydeco, Swing, Calypso, and a few other musical flavours to create a high energy show perfect for community events and festival celebrations. Expect an uplifting party with the sounds of fiddle, accordion, mando, flutes, bass and guitars soaring with plenty of vocals. Join in some big fun with Sam Torrance and the Jewels of the Swamp. In a word, Bijoux du Bayou is GREAT!! 

Sam Torrance: Guitar, Vocals, Bass

Mike Regimbal: Fiddle, Mando, Bass, Vocals

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