EVENTS
Local favourite John Gogo returns!
This Friday! John Gogo, “one of the most talented singer/songwriters this area has ever produced,” according to the Victoria Times Colonist. John’s family’s long history in mining and logging provides lots of background to his love for our land and its people.
John and the open stage with lots of other talent for only $5
Where: Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo
What time: 7 p.m. open stage; John at about 8:15 p.m.
Check out the awesome selection of beverages and sweets and fruit during the coffeehouse, and enjoy the fabulous company!
The Awakeneers are back!
Awakeneers’ music centres around honest vocals sweetened with multi-part harmonies and supported by rich acoustic instrumentation. The nomadic band of multi-instrumentalist songwriters — most of whom are siblings — segues seamlessly from a foot-stomping fiddle tune to a hip-hop guide to mindfulness; from hilarious satire to heart-wrenching and conscience-raising eco-ballads; to soaring inspirational harmonies of love and hope. These seasoned minstrels weave a genre-bending blend of acoustic positivity that orbits elliptically around the idea of folk music.
The official mission of the band is to embody light, love, and truth — for the benefit of all beings. Their songwriting shines a light on life’s big questions, celebrating the goodness of humanity and the miracle of Life on Earth.
Since their humble early days in a dirt floored cabin, the Awakeneers have toured Canada by van and sailboat — as well as the US and Europe — playing venues from street busking, seaside docks, schools, homeless shelters, folk clubs, meditation and yoga centres, peace conferences, folk festivals, and for congregations of all faiths.
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Suggested donation is $5 at the door. A true bargain!
Venue: Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo. Parking is around behind the building. Stairs are found inside. Handicapped folk can be dropped off at the front door.
See you there!
Bev Finch & the Fiddler
Bev Finch and Tom Neville are no strangers to the stage. With decades of professional experience in both live and studio situations to draw on, (both have written and released a full album of their own), they are planning to release a new album together in the near future. An ever increasing live show schedule promises to keep them busy keeping audiences enthralled.
Bev Finch; known for her solid rhythm and finger style guitar playing, satiny smooth vocals and image invoking lyrics, Finch’s original music can leave her audience breathless, in tears, or laughing out loud. She commands the stage with emotion and humor, and her songs will leave you humming long after the last notes fade away
Multi-instrumentalist Tom Neville (the “Fiddler”) is the perfect pairing and musical partner for Bev. He is a seasoned pro, recording and touring with the likes of Juno award winner James Keelaghan, chanteuse extraordinaire Joelle Rabu, roots/pop singer songwriter Babe Gurr, Django styled Gypsy jazz band The Hot Club of Mars and Typsy Gypsy, and local blues stalwart Gerry Barnum.
Together, this dynamic duo offers up many musical timbres and moods, careening from tender ballads to rocking blues among many varied genres. Their voices blend beautifully in tight exciting harmonies, and their repertoire is very eclectic and interesting; pop, rock, folk, country, blues, American Songbook, original and contemporary stylings make for an unforgettable experience.
Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Suggested donation is $5 at the door. A true bargain!
Venue: Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo. Parking is around behind the building. Stairs are found inside. Handicapped folk can be dropped off at the front door.
See you there!
Dave Kilbank and Paul Bezooyen, Live!
Songwriters Dave and Paul co-founded The Hermits Music 15 years ago which began as a collaborative association of songwriters. Since then, Dave and Paul published 3 duo albums as well as several solo projects. When you include the work by other artists at The Hermit’s Music they’ve produced 20 albums, 3 EPs, and 4 singles. All this accomplished as cooperative ventures, free charge.
Dave and Paul are thrilled to partner with the Nanaimo Folk Connection for this “Pay-it-Forward” concert. You’ll be pleased to know that ALL proceeds from this concert and album sales are being donated to Nature Conservancy of Canada.
More information and links to their music can be found at www.theHermitsMusic.com
Date: Friday evening, January 19, 2024
Suggested entrance is $5, a bargain for live music in an inflationary world.
Address: Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo. Parking is around behind the building. Stairs are found inside. Handicapped folk can be dropped off at the front door.
See you there!
British-born/raised Chris Ronald graces our stage
Chris Ronald’s music has been described as “Canadian folk with British roots.” Ronald’s stand-out signature sound is steeped in his British background, poetic lyrics, and a buttery fusion of Roots and Americana music.
In recent years, his “keenly luxuriant voice and immaculate songcraft” have won him many accolades including a nomination for “Songwriter of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. His latest release, Fragments, was released on esteemed Canadian label Borealis Records.
Chris is our feature on Friday, November 17th. The music begins at 7 p.m.
Suggested donation at the door is still only $5. Refreshments are also available. After all, it IS a coffeehouse!
Venue: Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo.
See you there!
Janie Meneely & Rob van Sante go nautical!
Sail to a fun, nautical, evening October 20th!
Chesapeake songster Janie Meneely and internationally touring musician Rob van Sante join forces to present a lively brand of largely homespun music from the Chesapeake Bay and the world beyond, bringing a nautical perspective to the world of folk music and storytelling.
Janie’s music celebrates the maritime history, characters and traditions of the Bay region, rambling from the raucous ruminations of ne’er-do-well charter captains and myth-busting mermaids to more thoughtful ballads about the people who make a living “working” the water.
Rob van Sante lends his knack for melodies and flair for harmony, drawing deep from the well of traditional music, adding his virtuoso guitar as accompaniment to the gems he’s collected during a lifetime performing around the world.
Doors open on October 20th at 6:30, open stage begins at 7 p.m., followed by Janie and Rob.
Suggested donation is still only $5! Awesome goodies are available for purchase.
Our wonderful venue (as always) is at Hope Lutheran church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo
Bring along a friend!
Michael Pratt & Lynn McGown’s fun and passion returns!
Michael Pratt & Lynn McGown bring a wonderful sense of fun and passion wherever they go. Their harmonic blend of voices is truly compelling, with lively accompaniment by fiddle, guitar and percussion. They have an infectious love of singing that has delighted audiences for forty years, ranging from traditional to contemporary -but always touch the heart, entertain, or delight.
Lynn’s musical roots come from growing up in a French-Canadian and English-Canadian family in Montreal. Her beautiful voice sings with warmth and presence that inspires. Michael is an outstanding singer, concertina player, and fiddler, who draws from his Irish roots as well as his involvement in the Folk Clubs in the British Folk Revival.
An evening with Lynn McGown and Michael Pratt is a musical conversation with stories of humour, love won and lost, and the events that shape our lives.
Live in Nanaimo on Friday September 15th, with open stage starting at 7 p.m.
Our venue is the generous Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo
Suggested donation is $5! Refreshments and wonderful company, plus awesome music, will make this another great evening!
The Threewheeler
Threewheeler (Auto Jansz (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Kathy Omalley (drums) and Jennifer Louise Taylor (vocals, guitar, ukulele) is a celebration of music and laughter that brings people together. From traditional covers to well-crafted originals, Threewheeler creates uplifting acoustic-roots music that brings joy to a wide variety of audiences. Consistently receiving positive feedback for their ability to both connect and entertain, Threewheeler love what they do and it shows.
Live in Nanaimo on Friday June 16th, with open stage starting at 7 p.m.
Our venue is the generous Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo
Suggested donation is $5! Refreshments and wonderful company, plus awesome music, will make this another great evening!
Luke Wallace, Live!
“Armed with folk, a little rap, call and response, a poet’s gift and a voice to deliver it all, Luke is both an artist to listen and a hope for the future.” – Gary Cristall, The Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Our second time with Luke (the first was a Covid-virtual event two years ago), Friday May 19th at our usual venue (2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo), following our open stage that begins at 7 p.m.
Luke embodies a new wave of politically charged folk music, writing the soundtrack for a movement of people rising up to meet the social and environmental challenges of our times. He brings us back to the original purpose of folk music: to engage us in the political and now environmental issues of the day. Very refreshing and invigorating!
Fraser Union, live in Nanaimo April 21st
We will once again be treated to this trio!
Since the early 1980s Fraser Union has been singing and playing music that connects with BC audiences. And the audiences love to join their choruses. Their songs come from folk roots but reflect the diversity of our cultures and histories, and our contemporary concerns. Fraser Union has evolved over the decades but remains focused on the songs and the joys of singing together.
The current trio is Barry Truter, Kathy Griffin and Roger Holdstock. They create an accompanied harmonic blend for their ever-evolving repertoire while staying true to a passion for meaningful music.
7 p.m. Friday, April 21st, at the Hope Lutheran venue, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo, starting with a live open stage. Plus CD’s, treats and beverages, great company, and more!
Beverley McKeen Trio, Live!
“Beverley McKeen’s music, both lyrically and melodically, puts a positive note from trivial to traumatic moments that life presents while living it. She inspires us to live with hope in songs that will tap your toe and your heart.” —Pam Edgar, CHLY 101.7FM
She will be joined by with the talented Dee Cooper, piano and groove master, and Jeremy Sagar, acoustic and electric 5-string basses. This will make a truly memorable evening for us all.
The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 17th.
Suggested donation is only $5 at the door. Enjoy an open stage of local talent, awesome food and refreshments, and a great group of folk!
As always we’ll be at the wonderful Hope Lutheran Church venue, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo.
Really yummy food and refreshments are provided. Of course! It’s a coffeehouse!
Find us on Facebook!
A Return to Camping Days
Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat have more than 35 years of singing folk together.
Now they will share their tunes and spirit of song with us this month.
On February 17th they will present a two-part program of songs and stories. The first part of their performance will consist of songs from the villages, tall ships, mines and logging camps of past centuries, with lots of sing-along choruses. The second part of program will contain songs and stories from summer camp, which will hearken many of us back to our early formative years!
As always the suggested entrance is only $5 for a whole evening of live music!
The venue is below.
Eric Harper, Take 2!
Now rescheduled to Friday, December 16, 2022 at 7 PM – 9:30 PM
Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo, British Columbia. Kindly park behind the church so allow handicapped folk and music folk to park near the front door.
What happens when an American suburban teenage metalhead is thrust into the rigorous classical conservatory world of Portugal?
For Eric Harper it resulted in an explosive chemical reaction of craft and creativity, and the development of a style of guitarring almost a genre unto himself.
Eric’s live show melds a bravura virtuosity with hilarity and heart-felt storytelling from his times living, learning, and loving deeply in multiple countries and cultures. As anyone who has seen an Eric Harper show can attest, there will be a lot of laughs and tears.
For more information about Eric, including some of his music, please visit his website.