Nanaimo This Weekend: FestivalNanaimo Continues

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.

Next Up For Festival Nanaimo 2017

Wow! Festival Nanaimo has been a blast so far.

Here are some events to plan for this week!

Lucky Irish Spirit

St. Paddy’s Day! Friday, March 17th, we continue to celebrate all things Celtic with the Vancouver Island Symphony and the popular Celtic band, Rant Maggie Rant. Music from the seven Celtic nations as well as from Quebec and Canada’s East Coast. Wear your green and come enjoy the Ceili!

P.S. Enter to win tickets to this show on our Facebook page.

David Gogo’s Birthday Blues Bash

Get ready for the ultimate in blues party jams! Critically acclaimed blues hero, David Gogo, is having a birthday party and you are invited. The birthday boy will be joined on stage by David Vest, Shawn Hall and Shaun Verreault. This is a birthday party not to be missed.

Hops & Hounds

Who let the dogs out? We will! Festival Nanaimo, Pacific Island Entertainment and the good folks at Dog n’ Suds Pet Services are letting the dogs out to join us at Hops & Hounds, a fundraiser for the Nanaimo SPCA on Sunday, March 19th at Maffeo Sutton Park from 2 pm – 4 pm. Bring your pooch to be part of our group ‘Dog Photo’ – world record breaking, we hope! The “big picture” happens at 3 pm. We would like to know how many dogs and their human are planning to be in Nanaimo’s Largest Dog Group Photo on March 19. Register by midnight on March 18 and you will be automatically entered in the draw for a chance to Win two tickets to March 25th, Lion Bear Fox CD Release Concert at the Port Theatre and 2 Helijet Passes from Nanaimo to Vancouver to be used at anytime.

Pets and owners will also have a tail-wagging good time with the Nanaimo Kennel Club. They will be showcasing some of their purebred dogs, there will be demonstrations such as ‘Meet the Breed’ and “Dance with your Dog’. We will also get to see some of the wonderful therapy dogs that visit our local care homes.

Oh – let’s not forget about the beer! Nanaimo’s own White Sails Brewing and Longwood Brewery will provide some of the finest craft beer made on the Island. $2 for a tasting token. There will also be a delicious BBQ by Original Joe’s – yum!

Symphony of Roses

18th Annual Symphony of Roses Day happens on Wednesday, March 22nd. Send a dozen roses to a friend, family member and/or work colleague. Orders must be received by March 17th. Roses delivered on March 22nd by volunteers. Big thank you to Turley’s Florist for making this event so wonderful! All proceeds go directly to the VI Symphony.

These are just a few of the fantastic happenings at Festival Nanaimo! We have loads of other adventures too – Spring Break camps, PirateFest, Lion Bear Fox CD release Party and more. Come stay in the heart of the Island this March.

Must-See Festival Nanaimo 2017 Events

Festival Nanaimo 2017 kicked off this week! What is Festival Nanaimo? Read more below.

Here are the Signature Events to put in your calendar:

The Celtic Tenors

Thursday, March 2nd, The Celtic Tenors perform at the Port Theatre – three tenors, one voice return to Nanaimo by popular demand. Perfect for the Celtic vibe of March! The Celtic Tenors will be singing your favourite songs – music from classical and folk to Irish and pop. A relaxing and wonderful evening’s entertainment is guaranteed. Tickets are available through the Port Theatre and are Tickets: $45 / Adults $35 / Seniors/Students: $35

Wee Tipple Party

Friday, March 3rd, you can get your tickets for Crimson Coast Dance’s 14th Annual Wee Tipple Party. This evening offers elegance, fine samplings, delicious hors d’oeuvres, live music by Steve Jones and David Baird and additional fundraising activities for this important Nanaimo professional dance arts organization. Tickets are $95 per person and can be bought in advance at CrimsonCoastDance.com

Dine About Mid-Island

Starting on Friday, March 3 and going until March 19, it is Dine About Mid-Island. The most anticipated dining event of the year is back! Covering Nanaimo, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach, this 17 day culinary event offers three-course fixed price menu options ($20, $30, $40). Dine About Mid-Island will tantalize your taste buds as you celebrate the local food scene at participating restaurants. This is a great chance to explore the local culinary scene and check out new restaurants or revisit old faves.

Festival Nanaimo has made Dine About Mid-Island a bit sweeter with some great ticket deals – $50 for two tickets – only available if they purchase a Dine-About Package. The shows are listed on the voucher and include: March 17 – Lucky Irish Spirit (St. Paddy’s Day), March 18 – David Gogo Birthday Blues Bash, March 23 – Symphony SoundBites/Mozart Spirit and March 25 – the Lion Bear Fox CD Release show.

More on Festival Nanaimo

Festival Nanaimo is a community festival running throughout March 2017. It’s all about exploring Nanaimo through a multitude of events and activities. Think music, performance art, theatre, visual art, dine abouts, whiskey/beer tastings, a heritage walk, runs, spring break camps, and of course, Piratefest!

Be sure to check out our website to find out all the other cool happenings this week. Festival Nanaimo – Great shows, art exhibits, dogs, PirateFest, whisk(e)y, beer, Dine Abouts, Nanaimo Bars and so much more. Come stay in the heart of the Island this March. Learn more at FestivalNanaimo.com

Choose Your Own #ExploreNanaimo Adventure

You wake up refreshed on Saturday morning, with a sense of adventure for your long weekend. Fueled by your morning coffee and the promise of tucking into a Nanaimo bar later in the day, you decide to plot your journey across the hub city.

Top left, top right, and bottom right images by Tom Parker.

You know you need to stretch your legs, and the cosmos is telling you to connect with nature. Do you:

1. Slap on your rain pants and boots and head to Ammonite falls, prepped for the exhilarating descent to the water.
2. Bundle up for the trek up Mount Benson, day dreaming of the snow-capped trees and awe-inspiring views you’ll find at the summit.

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If you chose 1: Sweaty and a little muddy, you did it! You embraced your sense of adventure, grabbed hold of the rope and made your way down the slope like a pro. Keep reading.

If you chose 2: You’re certainly feeling the heat as you make the final steps up towards the summit, and you’re rewarded with a clear view of Nanaimo below you. Keep reading.

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Back at the basecamp you call home, you’re feeling famished! The grumbles from your tummy are telling you to get to whetting your appetite, and thirst levels are climbing steadily. You’ve heard talk of brews and bites all around town, so you know you have to make a smart choice. Do you:

1. Dash down the Downtown Nanaimo harbour walkways to the Protection Island ferry, where you’ll pay the Captain and coast across the waters to the Dinghy Dock Pub.
2. Keep ticking boxes on your almost complete Ale Trail adventure through the Nanaimo & Comox Circle Route. You’ve crossed a few breweries off your list already, and all that’s left is to try a new craft brew or two at White Sails Brewing.

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If you chose 1: As you step on to the dock, you well up with excitement—you can practically taste the crisp tempura of the fish and chips you’ve been eagerly awaiting. You enjoy an evening of good food and even better company.

If you chose 2: Surrounded by good friends, you know you made the right choice. In front of you is a tasting flight, a plate of fresh pretzels, with a beer cheese sauce to merry the two. You feel a great sense of satisfaction.

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Create your own adventure when you #ExploreNanaimo. Build a custom itinerary on ExploreNanaimoBC.com, or check out our Youtube videos for travel-planning inspiration.

Hiking Haslam: Another #ExploreNanaimo Adventure

Hey guys! TN Blogger Megan here. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Long Weekend! Mine was filled with family, food & fun outdoors.

Since our Thanksgiving Dinner with my family was on Monday this year, we decided to embrace the sunny weather on Sunday morning and head south to Haslam Creek Trail & the Haslam Creek Suspension Bridge. This particular walking trail is a favourite with our family. It’s close to home (we live in the south end), the kids love looking for animal prints and slugs along the trail, and the best part is the suspension bridge over the creek.

Read more here: http://explorenanaimobc.com/2016/10/11/hiking-haslam-another-explorenanaimo-adventure/ 

What’s Happening in Nanaimo: Oct. 7-12

What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week

October 7, 2016 – October 12 , 2016

For more local events, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com/events

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FEATURED EVENTS

THE ROGUE TURKEY SHOW! Sat @7:00 PM, Gabriola Community Hall, Adult $20 Child $5

Mark your calendars, get you tickets! This event WILL sell out and you don’t want to miss out! The Rogue Turkey Show is an extravaganza of music and fun in celebration of Gabriola’s 20^th Annual Studio Tour, a Gabriol Arts Council/Lulu Performance Arts Society Co-Production. Join us for an evening of musical thanksgiving and fun in the spirit of rogue turkeys that road out island home!

20th Annual Gabriola Island Thanksgiving Studio Tour, Sat @ 10:00 Am – 5:00 PM, Gabriola Arts Centre, FREE

This year’s Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour on the ‘Isle of the Arts’ will be a must see with 16 new artisit on the tour. Did you know that Gabriola Island is the 6^th highest concentration of artists in the workforce in Canada? Maybe it has something to with the the Island’s inspiring natural and artistic wonders. From cermics, glass, mixed media to textiles and silversmithing, there’s something for everyone! You’re bound to fall in love in love with a piece of art to take home.

 

Nanaimo Bar Trail Run, Tues @ 9:30-11am, Diana Kroll Plaza, $15

Go for a 6-8K run, chat, learn about Nanaimo while seeing some sites, and then we eat a Nanaimo Bar at one of the locations on the Nanaimo Bar Trail. Everyone welcome

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Family Pool Party, Fri@7-9pm, Beban Pool, $3

Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun time with games, inflatables, and much more.

Art Lab Studio, Sat @ 9:30-12:30, Nanaimo Art Gallery, $12/child

Let your kids connect with artists, experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and have fun with art making.

McNab’s Corn Maze and Pumkin Patch, Daily @ 10-6pm, rain or shine

Family fun in the country! Enjoy a 7-acre corn maze, pick out your Halloween pumpkin and hayrides. Don’t forget your boots.

Lions FREE Skating, Sun @12-1:30pm, Frank Crane Arena, FREE

Everyone welcome, from beginners to advanced, bring the whole family and have form fun

CONCERTS and LIVE MUSIC

The Original Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll presents CLASS OF ’59, Sat @ 7:30 PM, Port Theatre, $49

Get ready to rock with Buddy Holly, Elvis, Bill Haley, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cook, The Everly Brothers and the Big Bopper!

“Counrty On the Dock”, Fri@7pm, Dinghy Dock Pub, $20 incl ferry

An Acoustic Concert Series featuring: Sunshine & Whiskey, Kyla Gillett, Grace & Grit

Sleep Kit & Colliding Canyons, Fri@9pm, The Corner Lounge, $5

A must see concert, Sleep Kit brings rave reviews from far and wide.and is praised to be the “best psych rock coming out of Calgary”.

“She Could be Trouble” at the Dock, Sat@ 7:30pm, Dinghy Dock Pub, S20

These ladies are a force! Brodie Dawson, Tracy Riley, and Christy Vanden are excited to collaborate and unleash this dynamic trio of heavy-hitting Femmes!

“Father’s Day” (PLAY), Sat&Sun @7:30pm, Cedar Community Hall, $20

YellowPoint Drama Group’s Fall play is comedy “Father’s Day”, by Eric Chappel, based on the British TV Series “Home To Roost”

80’s Night, Sat @9pm, Wellington Pub, FREE

It’s 80’s Theme night at the Wellington Pub. Come dress up like you did in the 80’s and listen to STAR69 play some of your favorite 80’s hits

Sunday Jazz Sessions, Sun@7pm, Corner Lounge

The Corner Lounge kicks off a New Weekly Event with an exciting night of music and inspiration. A little bit raw, a little bit awesome, and a whole lot of fun, come on down to The Corner

Happy Humpday Acoustic Wednesday, Wed@8pm, The Corner Lounge, by donation

The Corner Lounge presents a break from the mayhem of life and a chance to celebrate the middle of the week with song, a beverage and a few laughs.

FARMER’S MARKETS

Island Roots Bowen Road Market, Weds @ 4-6:30pm and Sat @9-12pm, Beban Park, FREE

Bastion Waterfront Farmers Market, Fri @10am-2pm, Pioneer Plaza, FREE

Cedar Farmers Market, Sun @10-2pm, Crow and Gate Pub Field, FREE

Lantzville Market, Sun @ 1:30-4pm, St. Phillips Church, FREE

Gabriola Farmers’ Market, Sat @ 10-2pm, AGI Hall, FREE

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Out of Sight, Daily @ 10 AM, Nanaimo Art Gallery, FREE

Out of Sight features some of the work of Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) and Harold Edgerton (1903-1990), two giants in the history of photography.

Voices from the Engraver Exhibition, Daily except Sun, Nanaimo Museum, $2

From concept to final product, the artistry behind Canadian currency and stamps is on exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum.

Nanaimo Clippers, Fri@7pm, Sat@6pm, Frank Crane Arena

Cheer on Nanaimo’s Junior A team as they go up against Trail and Powell River.

Indie Author Day: Poetry Reading, Sat @ 11-12:30pm, Harbourfront Library, FREE

Join local poets Andrew Brown, Tim Lander, Vicki Drybrough and Stephen Novik to celebrate your local authors with a poetry reading starting at 11am

Fabulous Fall Fantasy Burlesque Show, Sat@ 8pm, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, $30

Time for another round of exceptional performers to dazzle and titillate you, bringing back this one-of-a-kind show for an experience you are not soon to forget! All new numbers by all new performers to be shown only in Nanaimo!

Movie Night at the Library, Tues @ 5pm, Harbourfront Library, FREE

Drop in to Harbourfront Library for a free movie! This week they are showing “Captain America Civil War

Yellow Point Drama Group Fall Play “Father’s Day”,  Sat& Sun @ 7:30 PM, Cedar Community Hall, Adult $15 Student $15

Based on the British TV series “Home to Roost”, the fun begins with divorce Henry Willows enjoying a peaceful evening at home. His routine is interrupted when his estranged son  arrives unexpectedly with his Goth girlfriend in tow. Shortly afterwards, his ex-wife arrives uninvited. The antics that follow this impromptu family reunion ends with an unexpected results.

Nanaimo Bar Trail Run, Tues @ 9:30-11am, Diana Kroll Plaza, $15

Go for a 6-8K run, chat, learn about Nanaimo while seeing some sites, and then we eat a Nanaimo Bar at one of the locations on the Nanaimo Bar Trail. Everyone welcome.

What’s Up in Nanaimo: Sept. 30-Oct.5

What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week

September 30, 2016 – October 5, 2016

For more local events, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com/events

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FEATURED EVENTS

Cranberry Harvest Days, Sat-Sun @11-3pm, Yellow Point Canberries, FREE

Ever wanted to know how  cranberries are grown and harvested? This is your chance to explore a local cranberry farm in the heart of Yellow Point. Chat with the owners and join a complimentary tour at 11:00, 11:30 and 12:00 and the tasting room will be open for you to sample the cranberry delicacies.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure 2016, Sun @ 10 AM, Beban Park, Donation

We invite you to run or walk with us on Sunday, October 2, 2016 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Nanaimo. Whether it’s your first time, or you’ve participated for years, we look forward to having you join the movement and make this year’s event inspirational, memorable, and bring us closer to a future without breast cancer.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Art Lab Studio, Sat @ 9:30-12:30, Nanaimo Art Gallery, $12/child

Let your kids connect with artists, experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and have fun with art making.

Disney Sing Along, Sat @2:30-4:30pm, Nanaimo Harbourfront Library, FREE Come sing along with classic songs from some of your favourite Disney movies! With the magic of our green screen behind you, it’ll look like you’re singing in the same world as all the characters! Costumes encouraged. For kids ages 4 – 10 years.

FARMER’S MARKETS

Island Roots Bowen Road Market, Weds @ 4-6:30pm and Sat @9-12pm, Beban Park, FREE

Bastion Waterfront Farmers Market, Fri @10am-2pm, Pioneer Plaza, FREE

Cedar Farmers Market, Sun @10-2pm, Crow and Gate Pub Field, FREE

Lantzville Market, Sun @ 1:30-4pm, St. Phillips Church, FREE

Gabriola Farmers’ Market, Sat @ 10-2pm, AGI Hall, FREE

CONCERTS and LIVE MUSIC

Songs for Syria, Fri @ 7 PM-9PM, Christ Community Church, Donation

Songs for Syria brings together a diverse group od musicians to present an electic mix of folk, jazz, Latin, bluegraa, and more in  benefit concert to raise funds to bring a Syrian refugee family of four to make a new home in Nanaimo.

Happy Humpday Acoustic Wednesday, Wed@8pm, The Corner Lounge, by donation

The Corner Lounge presents a break from the mayhem of life and a chance to celebrate the middle of the week with song, a beverage and a few laughs.

Sean McCann of Great Big Sea, Wed@ 7:30, Malaspina Thetare, $26.50

Séan McCann’s love for Newfoundland and Labrador folk songs shot him to international fame as a founding member of the renowned group Great Big Sea.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Out of Sight, Daily @ 10 AM, Nanaimo Art Gallery, FREE

Out of Sight features some of the work of Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) and Harold Edgerton (1903-1990), two giants in the history of photography.

Voices from the Engraver Exhibition, Daily except Sun, Nanaimo Museum, $2

From concept to final product, the artistry behind Canadian currency and stamps is on exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum.

Tunes on Tap, Thu@8-11pm, White Sails Brewing, FREE

Tunes on Tap is a mash up of live local music and open mic night. Local performers will be playing sets throughout the night, with time in between for open mic!

Ecstatic Dance with Emerson Lim (creator of Ecstatic Yoga), Fri @7:30-9:30pm, OmTown Yoga Studio, $15

Ecstatic yoga was originally created by Emerson as an exciting way to engage homeless youth and has since gained a huge following. Set to music of our time, everyone is welcome from toddlers to seniors. Special needs are very welcome.

Swap-O-Rama-Rama, Sat@11-3pm, St Andrews United Church, FREE

Swap-O-Rama-Rama, Nanaimo is not your average clothing swap, (SORR) is a not-for-profit clothing swap combined with “creation stations” staffed by local artists and makers. Bring a bag of clean gently used clothing & take what you want.

Nanaimo to Cowichan Wine Tour, Sat & Sun-10:00 AM,  $120

Join us for a 6 hour tour to three wineries in the Cowichan Valley. Tour includes a behind the scenes tour of one of the local wineries, private tastings, bottled water to ensure the next day is a good one, more wine samples than they should probably give you and discounts on wine at select wineries

NCDC Telethon, Sun @ 12 PM – 8 PM, Port Theatre, Donation

We invite friends, families.,individuals, business and service groups to participate the telethon broadcast by making a donation live at the Port Theatre. All funds raised at this event will go towards the much needed programs and services provided at the Centre.

Nanaimo Bar Trial Run, Tues @ 9:30-11am, Diana Kroll Plaza, $15

Go for a 6-8K run, chat, learn about Nanaimo while seeing some sites, and then we eat a Nanaimo Bar at one of the locations on the Nanaimo Bar Trail. Everyone welcome

OFFstage Lobby Theatre Series: Lost and Left Behind, Tues@ 7pm, Port Theatre Lobby, $25

A story telling show by Brent Hirose, 2012 winner of Winnipeg Fringe Best of Fest. In 1942 the Canadian government forcibly relocated Japanese Canadians living on the west coast to the Canadian interior. Those displaced included Brent’s grandparents, who eventually settled in Winnipeg.

 

SUMMERTIME BLUES FESTIVAL SETS A SOULFUL AND ROCKIN’ HIGH BAR IN NANAIMO

By Guest Blogger Nancy Shields

The 2016 Summertime Blues Festival in Nanaimo had it all: deep soulful tunes, spirited uplifting songs and incredible musicians from near and far.

The promoters showed true diligence when it came to selecting the artists. This year featured 21 acts, including the British blues/rock legends Savoy Brown, American blues legends Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, along with locals like Lazy Mike & The Rockin’ Recliners.

– See more at: http://explorenanaimobc.com/2016/09/26/summertime-blues-festival-nanaimo-bc/#sthash.5RwVew5C.dpuf

What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week: Sept. 22-28

What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week

September 22, 2016 – September 28, 2016

For more local events, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com/events

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FEATURED EVENTS

4^th Annual Latin American Festival, Sat @ 5 PM, Beban Park Recreation Centre, $20

Come out to emmerse yourself in local Latin American culture! This year’s event will showcase food from different Latino countries , entertainment from talented local performers, and don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes because we will be dancing until the last one drops!

Etsy Made in Canada, Sat@ 10-4, Northtown Centre, FREE

This is a yearly event, where  over 30 Etsy communities will be celebrating the buy local movement by simultaneously participating in pop-up markets all across Canada and this year Nanaimo is included. The etsy Nanaimo team of local entrepreneurs are proud to have 45 artists and entrepreneurs represented at their event. This is a family friendly event, woth free kids activities such as face painting and craft tables.

CONCERTS and LIVE MUSIC

Brisas del Palmar, Thu & Fri @ 7pm, Roxy Thetare (Gabriola), $20-15

This group is bringing their fantastic music once again to Gabriola Island. Last chance before they return to Cuba. You won’t be disappointed.

Live at Longwood, Thurs @ 8PM-10PM, Longwood Brew Pub, FREE

Live acoustic music…every Thursday night! This week featuring Josh Gellman

South American All-Stars, Cheko & The Lion Rockers, Fri @10pm, The Queens, $12

NANAIMO REGGAE MASSIVE presents a night of roots reggae, cumbia, and reggaeton featuring two great bands and local DJ, Rebel Selector! See these great bands in an iconic music location in Nanaimo.

Darby Mills of ‘The Headpins’, Sat @ 9 PM, the Queens, $22.50 – $25

Canadian rock icon Darby Mills of the “Headpins” rocks out at the Queens.

Marty Steele, Sat @ 6pm-8pm, New York Style Pizza & Pasta, FREE

Enjoy a great meal and some local live talent.

BoodAboom Live, Sat @9pm, Corner Lounge, $5

BoodAbooM is bringing their high energy dance party back to The Corner Lounge. Roots, rock, pop, reggae, blues and southern rock are all on the agenda for an up tempo night of wearing out your dancing shoes.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Art Lab Studio, Sat @ 9:30-12:30, Nanaimo Art Gallery, $12/child

Let your kids connect with artists, experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and have fun with art making.

Harvest Barn Dance, Sat@ 6:30, Costin Hall (Lantzville), $5

Come out for a fun all-ages event. There will be food, drinks and live fiddle music. No dance skills required – all dances will be taught that evening.

Nanaimo Rivers Day, Sun @11-2:30pm, Bowen Park, FREE

Nanaimo Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. Activities for the day include community group information and interactive booths, interpretive stream walk and fry trapping, live music by local bands.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

From Farm to Table, Thu @ 6-9pm, Costin Hall (Lantzville), $65

Carolyn Herriot will prepare meals based on her Zero-Mile Cookbook from healthy local ingredients.

Out of Sight, Daily @ 10 AM, Nanaimo Art Gallery, FREE

Out of Sight features some of the work of Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) and Harold Edgerton (1903-1990), two giants in the history of photography.

Voices from the Engraver Exhibition, Daily except Sun, Nanaimo Museum, $2

From concept to final product, the artistry behind Canadian currency and stamps is on exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum.

Island Sleuth Mystery Event, Fri @ 7pm, Eagle Mountain Church, $20

Everyone  will enter a makeshift “crime scene,” be handed a “case file” along with a fake “warrant” and will be asked to solve an island-based mystery. Prizes and bragging rights are up for grabs.

Nanaimo to Cowichan Wine Tour, Fri 10-4:30pm, $75 (special price: mention that you saw this on harbourliving.ca), regular price $120 registration required

Join us for a 6 hour tour to three wineries in the Cowichan Valley. Tour includes a behind the scenes tour of one of the local wineries, private tastings, bottled water to ensure the next day is a good one, more wine samples than they should probably give you and discounts on wine at select wineries

Comedy Night with Garrett Clark, Sat @ 8pm, Lantzville Pub, $15 Starting his comedy career at the soft, supple and pink-arsed age of 15, Garrett Clark is sure to make you laugh.

Cheese Making Course, various dates, Gabriola Island, $100, registration required

Join Paula and learn the art of making your own cheese. The course will teach several different cheeses and includes lunch as well as take home instructions and ingredients. .

VIU Mariners Soccer, Sat & Sun @ 1pm & 3:30, Merle Logan Turf Field, FREE

The local mens and women univerty soccer teams are hosting Langara (Vancouver) and Douglas College (New Westminster)

TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes 2016 – Nanaimo, Sun @ 10 AM, Rotary Bowl, By Donation

Walk together to demonstrate a desire to cure, better treat and prevent Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Families, organizations and communities register, raise funds and celebrate together on Walk day with fun activities, refreshments and inspirational messaging.

FARMER’S MARKETS

Island Roots Bowen Road Market, Weds @ 4-6:30pm and Sat @9-12pm, Beban Park, FREE

Nanaimo’s premier food-oriented market promoting the 100 mile diet.

Bastion Waterfront Farmers Market, Fri @10am-2pm, Pioneer Plaza, FREE

Find farmers, bakers, crafters and anything else locally grown, made or baked.

Cedar Farmers Market, Sun @10-2pm, Crow and Gate Pub Field, FREE

The market boasts over 70 full time vendors making it one of the region’s largest.

Lantzville Market, Sun @ 1:30-4pm, St. Phillips Church, FREE

This is a great little market featuring local vendors from Nanaimo and Region

Gabriola Farmers’ Market, Sat @ 10-2pm, AGI Hall, FREE

Find farm fresh produce, fresh baked and over 30 local artisans and health practitioners

 

What’s Up in Nanaimo: Sept. 8-14

What’s Up in Nanaimo This Week

September 8, 2016 – September 14, 2016

For more local events, visit www.tourismnanaimo.com/events

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FEATURED EVENTS

Harvest Festival, Saturday @ 11 AM, Wesley Street in the Old City Quarter, FREE

This annual event launches downtown Nanaimo into the fall season in the best way with entertainment, vendors, kid’s activities and harvest themed competitions!

Lantzville Minetown Day, Saturday @ 10 AM, Lantzville Huddlestone Park, FREE

Come out and celebrate the 42^nd annual Minetown Day Festival! The day will include lots of community fun for the whole family including a pancake breakfast, parade, hay and pony rides, live music games and more!

Paws for a Cause, Sunday @ 10:30 AM, Maffeo Sutton Park, $20 Adult, $10 Child

Join the walk to fight animal cruelty on September 11 at Maffeo Sutton Park. There will be plenty of activities for everyone, including live music from local bands and a lunch buffet courtesy of Dish in Nanaimo.

CONCERTS and LIVE MUSIC

An Acoustic Tribute to Arcade Fire, Fri @ 7:30 PM, Dinghy Dock Pub, $20 + s/c

Acoustic renditions of Arcade Fire songs by Vancouver Island musicians featuring Andrew Halliwell, Tora Leigh, Cory Friesenhan, Monique Hendricks, The Stacks

Marty Steele, Sat, 6pm-8pm, FREE @ New York Style Pizza & Pasta

Quiet enough to enjoy your dining experience, but with an upbeat energy, his style of playing matches the ambience of the restaurant—a mix of elegance and grit that will satisfy your musical tastes.

Live at Longwood, Thurs @ 8PM-10PM, Longwood Brew Pub, FREE

Live acoustic music…every Thursday night! This week featuring Josh Gellman.

David Gogo, Sat @ 8 PM, Lantzville Pub, $20 + s/c

Join us for an acoustic night of the blues with David Gogo! With a worldwide fanbase and impressive list of accomplishments, David’s new album is sure to perk up everyone’s playlist with its perfect blend of Gogo originals and handpicked working reinvented classics. One of Canada’s hardest working and most prolific guitar virtuosos, David will hit the road with shows across the country, including many festival dates. Sometimes the best art comes out of a journey.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Out of Sight, Sept 10-Sept 11 @ 10 AM, Nanaimo Art Gallery, FREE

Out of Sight is a touring exhibition from the Vancouver Art Gallery featuring a selection of recently acquired photographs by Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) and Harold Edgerton (1903-1990), two giants in the history of photography. Both artists are celebrated for their revolutionary works that expand our understanding of time and motion and extend the capacity of human perception by making time stand still. Brought together, these bodies of work explore ideas about perception and representation, challenging viewers to reconsider what we see in our everyday encounters.

Art Lab Studio, Sat @ 9:30-12:30, Nanaimo Art Gallery, $12/child

Let your kids connect with artists, experiment with materials, learn new techniques, and have fun with art making

Historic Walking Tour, meet at the Bastion, Thur @6:45pm, $25

You get two funky old pubs, loads of historic and quirky facts about our ever-evolving liquor laws in BC, and an eclectic guide to bring it all to life!

Stories on Friday – What Could Possible Go Wrong? Fri @ 7:30 PM, Unitarian Hall, $5 at the door

The Around Town Tellers invite you to an evening of tradition storytelling. September’s theme is ‘What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” featuring stories from Christine Clarke-Johnsen, Sandy Cole, Deborah Goodman, Laurie Hutchinson, and Barbara Smith with music from Marty Howe and the Atkinson Brothers.

Kayak & Yoga., Thurs @ 5 PM, OmTown Yoga, $45

Join us for the final Kayak & Yoga event of the year! Beginning with a guided paddle to Newcastle Island followed by a chilled out yoga flow as the sun sets, spend the evening connecting with nature, getting your toes salty and meeting new friends! All levels are welcome, no yoga or kayak experience necessary. Snacks provided by Power House Food & Elevate Me.

FARMER’S MARKETS

Island Roots Bowen Road Market, Weds @ 4-6:30pm and Sat @9-12pm, Beban Park, FREE. Nanaimo’s premier food-oriented market promoting the 100 mile diet.

Bastion Waterfront Farmers Market, Fri @10am-2pm, Pioneer Plaza, FREE. Find farmers, bakers, crafters and anything else locally grown, made or baked.

Cedar Farmers Market, Sun @10-2pm, Crow and Gate Pub Field, FREE. The market boasts over 70 full time vendors making it one of the region’s largest.

Lantzville Market, Sun @ 1:30-4pm, St. Phillips Church, FREE. This is a great little market featuring local vendors from Nanaimo and Region

Gabriola Farmers’ Market, Sat @ 10-2pm, AGI Hall, FREE. Find farm fresh produce, fresh baked and over 30 local artisans and health practitioners.