MusicFest really heats up on Saturday, July 13

 by Keith and Heather Nicol

   The name of the game at the Vancouver Island MusicFest  (VIMF)on Saturday, July 13 was to keep cool. Although there was a light northerly breeze, the warm temperatures (high 20C’s)  and bright sunshine made staying cool a priority. We opted to start our day in a shaded area in the main concert bowl to see a Song Circle composed of 5 Canadians who represented both coasts and the prairies. We liked the song writing of all 3 groups but could really relate to John McLachlan who hails from nearby Hornby Island and who sings songs of our local area. We especially liked his song titled the “Curve of Time” based on a book of the same name that we had both just read recently!! A nice coincidence.

                                               John McLachlan playing "Curve of Time"

We always like the Woodland Stage since as the name implies it is located in a shady area. Next we scored a nice cool spot in the bleachers and enjoyed the songs Michael McGovern from Glasgow, Scotland. As is usual with MusicFest you want to sample music from a variety of stages and we noted that Tom and Kalissa Landa were playing next on the Grassy Knoll. We are big fans of the Paperboys and Tom and Kalissa are mainstays of that group. Unfortunately the shade options for this venue were not great and with the mid day sun beating down we had to stand in the shade of a small nearby building to avoid overheating. They played a great set and we told ourselves that we need to bring umbrellas next time to be able to be more comfortable in these types of hot conditions at this venue. 

          We love the music of the Paperboys who played with part of their full group on the Grassy Knoll

 Given the heat we opted to take a break and go for a swim in the nearby Puntledge River which is just around the corner from MusicFest at Lewis Park. One of the great things about the Vancouver Island MusicFest is the easy access to the water and there are lots of areas close by to either go for a swim in fresh or salt water. When we returned we visited one of our favourite venues- the Grierson stage and we were wowed by the great Celtic music being played there by 3 groups under the heading- Sonic Cluster Jam. If like musicians joining in to produce great impromptu music then the Greirson stage is where that is likely to happen.

                                          The Grierson Stage is often where great impromtu jam sessions occur

Then it was back to the Main Concert Bowl to hear the final acts of the day. And what a line up- Leon Timbo got things going with their brand of spiritual country soul music from the American South. Then it was guitar virtuoso Leo Kottle followed by American rock and roll legend Lucinda Williams and finishing the evening were the BCUC – from South Africa.  What a day of music from all over the world at VIMF. And we still have lots more great music for Sunday. For more info see: www.island musicfest.com. See you there. 

                                Lucinda Williams played to a huge crowd in the main Concert Bowl on Saturday night