April showers bring May musical powers into the Osborne Bay Pub.
The May lineup at the Cowichan Valley’s live music destination begins Friday, May 3 at 8 p.m. with the Paul Black Trio. Admission is $10 at the door.
Internationally renowned recording artist Black will be joined by the exceptionally talented Malcolm Cooley and Todd Sacrety. Together, these three musicians make a funked-up groove based blues trio, with their solid, soulful and high energy originals.
The stage heats up again the next night, Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. with Supernatural - A Santana Tribute.
“The terrific TL Douglas, who is quite well-known in the valley, is bringing a full Santana Tribute act that is playing in theatres on the Island,” noted Patricia Berry of Berry Music Co. Ltd. who books all the acts at the pub. “This will be an intimate and exceptional show as well.”
A six-piece band recreates the experience of a Santana concert with all the energy and musicianship of the real thing. Tickets are $20 in advance at Eventbrite or $25 at the door.
Mark Crissinger with a full band opens another doubleheader the following weekend on Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m.
Crissinger is a 2017 Maple Blues Award nominee. He’s backed by a contemporary blues band featuring an all-star cast of musicians from the Nanaimo area. Tickets are $10 at the door.
The Soul Shakers literally shake things up on Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
The Soul Shakers are characterized by their own brand of funky R&B dance music. They combine superb musicianship with five strong vocalists led by Joyce (The Voice) Allensen.
Yet another weekend double header to start the Victoria Day long weekend features Arbutus Roots and Kevin’s Bacon - two bands on the same program Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Arbutus Roots is a Vancouver Island based up-and-coming band, playing West Coast rooted, high energy, acoustic guitar driven music written with a love for harmonies and lyrics.
Nanaimo-based trio Kevin’s Bacon performs an upbeat, danceable mix of classic and modern rock from the 1960s to today.
The South Island Rhythm Kings make an appearance Saturday, May 18 at 8 p.m.
At the nucleus of the South Island Rhythm Kings is the father/son team of (Lazy) Mike Mallon on vocals and harmonica, and Carson Mallon on guitar and vocals. The two have been mainstays on the Vancouver Island blues scene for more than a decade.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
The month ends with a bang. Love Struck, the Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute returns Saturday, May 25 at 8 p.m.
“We are very honoured to have the incredible Russell Marsland bring his Stevie Ray Vaughan show back to the stage this month,” enthused Berry. “His show has successfully sold out quickly every time he plays here. This show originated at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock and sold out four nights in a row there.”
Lovestruck celebrates the music of the legendary Vaughan, who left us way too soon, and taps into the fire and passion of the incredible artist. Tickets are $20 in advance at Eventbrite or $25 at the door.
May’s final act is Brett Smith-Daniels with a five-piece band on Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance at Eventbrite or $15 at the door.
Renowned virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter Smith-Daniels has performed on stages with music legends such as Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones, Whitesnake’s Mickey Moody and Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive.
”A young virtuoso musician from Britain, Brett Smith-Daniels is coming with some fabulous musicians from Victoria,” Berry pointed out. “This young man is definitely going places in the music world. He has already played with some very big names and is doing exceptionally well overseas and in the Victoria music scene.”
