Mark your calendars now. August is already here.
Patricia Berry, the events manager and booking agent for the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton, has announced the August lineup of shows and it’s another power-packed lineup.
Friday, Aug. 10 features El Grupo Cubano - Brisas del Palmar at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Cuba returns to Vancouver Island with El Grupo Cubano - Brisas del Palmar, an internationally-acclaimed group hailing from Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of the best of Cuban music. This group has it all from expert musicianship to riveting harmonies.
These Cuban musical ambassadors have performed for the Pope and granted diplomatic passports to represent Cuba in international music competitions. Lead singer Tony Rodon has lived and toured internationally many times with the world famous Familia Valera Miranda.
Their wide Latin repertoire includes Cuban traditional music, Afro-Cuban music, salsa, son, cumbia, merengue, bachata, nengon, quiriba, changui, guaracha, bolero and cha cha cha.
Mapstone appears on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Mapstone defines a new genre, ‘Heart/Roots’ music. Hailing from Australia, these musicians are committed to their path and dedicated to living a life of purpose and meaning.
Mapstone has quickly emerged onto the roots music scenes in Australia, Canada and Bali. They have shared the stage with Nahko and medicine for the people, Dustin Thomas, the Beautiful Girls, Murray Kyle and more. Mapstone has been moving the dance floor and delighting ears wherever they go, including prestigious festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, Bali Spirit Festival and Island Vibe Festival with its blend of conscious roots, world, reggae and folk music of the heart, for the heart and from the heart.
A triple-header weekend concludes Sunday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. with Claire Coupland. Tickets are $15.
With vocal colours comparable to Brandi Carlile, Suzanne Vega and Jann Arden, Coupland has the ability to silence a room with her warm voice, pure intonation and dynamic delivery. She tells heartfelt stories of life’s lessons in emotion-packed, song driven arrangements. Using alternate tunings and smooth fingerpicking, she brings a fresh, graceful feel to contemporary folk.
Her appearances have been wide-ranging, from performing for the David Foster 25th anniversary celebration in 2012 to sharing stages with Jacksoul, Beady Belle, Melanie Dekker, Jim Byrnes, The Wooden Sky, Barney Bentall, Delhi 2 Dublin, David Gogo and so many others.
Sons of Guns come to town Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. with no cover. They’re serious musicians who deliver intense dance music with classic rock covers that span the decades.
Celebrated jazz saxophonist P.J. Perry makes his annual visit to the Cowichan Valley Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Perry, leading an all-star quartet, has performed with countless jazz greats, from Dizzy Gillespie to Michel Legrand, from Kenny Wheeler to Ellis Marsalis, to name just a few. In 1993, he won a Juno Award for Best Jazz Recording for his album, My Ideal. He was awarded the Order of Canada two years ago. He’s perhaps best known as the lead alto saxophonist with McConnell’s Boss Brass and with the Tommy Banks Band.
At age 76, Perry continues to perform across Canada as a studio musician, jazz soloist and a regular performer for CBC radio and television, as well as a recording artist with Justin Time Records.
Cities plays Friday, Aug. 24 at 9 p.m.
Cities is a house band from the Bard and Banker and Irish Times. Victoria’s standout cover band features Juno nominated singer Adam Kittredge, drummer Matt Johnson of the legendary Canadian band 54-40 and world renowned horn players Miguel Valdes and Nick La Riviere.
They play high-energy classics from Stevie Wonder to modern day anthems from the likes of Daft Punk, Bruno Mars and more. Tickets are $10.
Montgomery County delivers an amazing Garth Brooks Tribute experience Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Fans of Brooks will surely love this tribute to his legend.
Rounding out the month on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. is a Michael Clarke solo performance. There’s no cover.
The Soul King himself offers a little bit of soul with dinner, providing beautiful ambient jazz and blues.
