Symphony SoundBites

Two shows, one night, tasty treats, the world’s most popular composer, Mozart and your Vancouver Island Symphony. SoundBites Mozart Spirit is a 60 minute program offers tantalizing appetizers starting at 5:00 pm with a 5:30 pm performance or decadent desserts following the 7:15 pm showing, provided by Nanoose’s Smoke ‘N Water Restaurant. Big thank you to the sponsors of this show – The Coast Bastion Hotel and The Bald Guy Real Estate Team.

Nanaimo Bar Day at Festival Nanaimo

Friday, March 24th is an extra sweet day – it is time to check out the Nanaimo Bar Trail. That is cupcakes, cheesecake, a martini or a pedicure! So many options all to celebrate the confection that has made Nanaimo extra famous! Take the self-guided adventure through the streets of Nanaimo and region from 2-5 pm. You can even work off all the tasty treats by doing the Nanaimo Bar Trail RUN or a Nanaimo Bar Trail WALK on March 24th.

Lion Bear Fox CD Release Party

Come celebrate Lion Bear Fox’s new release “Battle Of Me” of their new self-titled debut album at the Port Theatre on Saturday, March 25th. One part folk, one part rock – a pinch of gospel and a dash of growl! Music that shakes your very soul. Two exciting years in the making… come watch three songwriters perform on stage to deliver a message of hope, vulnerability and redemption. Hometown boys, Christopher Arruda (Lion), Cory Woodward (Bear) and Ryan McMahon (Fox) are a musical force of nature. Tickets available at 250-754-8550.

PirateFest Headquarters

Ahoy Mates! You’re invited to join Country Club Centre for daily for FREE Pirate activities from March 22 – March 24 between 11:00am &1:00pm to gear up for PirateFEST Day. They are PirateFest Headquarters! There will be pirate themed crafts, pirate ship races (thanks Nanaimo Child Development Centre) and on Friday, pirate hat making with the Purple Pirate himself!

PirateFest Day on Saturday, March 25th –Downtown Nanaimo

Me Hearty’s, we are expecting 500 pirates to join us for PirateFest Day – Downtown Nanaimo on Saturday, March 25th. FREE Activities Start at 11am. Our Festival Nanaimo Sponsor, McDonald’s McCafé truck will be onsite with FREE Coffee. The popular Pirate Parade will be led by The Purple Pirate and starts at 12 pm – we meet at Diana Krall Plaza. There is a sword and archery station at the Harbourfront Library, Shipwrecked Scavenger Hunt & Crafts at the Nanaimo Museum, The Pirate Choir sings in the foyer of the Port Theatre at 1:45. This bonny bunch of pirates will get you warmed up for the PURPLE PIRATE’S MAGIC PIRATE SHIP SHOW that takes place at 2:30 pm. This show is an enthralling magical adventure that is fun for the whole family. There will be treasure and a bubble storm! Tickets at $15 each, or $50 for a family of 4. tickets at the Port Theatre Box Office. Check out http://www.festivalnanaimo.com for all the PirateFest details.

Ongoing is the Pirate Name Game! Check out businesses in Downtown Nanaimo and in the Old City Quarter. Each pirate is named something special – you can walk around and find out the names, write them down on this form (add form link) and drop off at the Nanaimo Museum – you could be the lucky winner of tickets to Festival Nanaimo.

There are loads of Spring Break activities to check out too… dance, art, science and more. Check it all out on FestivalNanaimo.com.