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With tickets for half its scheduled events sold out and the rest evaporating from vendors and online sales, the Pender Harbour Blues Festival expects record attendance at its tenth annual event, June 7 to 9.
Indoor seating at the Garden Bay Pub, the festival’s main performance venue, is sold out for Steve Kozak’s Friday night gig, the Sunday afternoon All-Star Jam, and Sunday evening’s triple-threat Pianorama with David Vest, John Lee Sanders and Willie MacCalder. Seats on the outdoor deck are still available. Jim Byrnes’ Saturday event is completely sold out, but there are still tickets for the noon Sunday Gospel Show featuring Byrnes and John Lee Sanders at the Pender Harbour School of Music.
The popular band Brickhouse are back for the equally-popular Saturday night dance, with tickets still available at press time.
From noon to 4pm Saturday, enjoy a stellar line-up of free blues performances at Madeira Park’s outdoor stage, John Henry’s Marina in Garden Bay, and the Crossroads Grill in Kleindale. Mark Vance, the Paul Black Band, and Steve Kozak headline at Mad Park; Joe Stanton and Simon Paradis perform at John Henry’s; and Dustin Fike plays at the Crossroads.
Dine to the blues Friday and Saturday at the Restaurant at Painted Boat, where Willie MacCalder entertains at two seatings: 6.30 and 8.30pm. At the Garden Bay Pub Restaurant, David Vest performs from 6 to 8pm. Reservations are recommended for both venues.
For more information or online ticket sales, visit www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com. Tickets are available at Strait Music (Sechelt), Village Vintner (Madeira Park) or Garden Bay Pub.
Heather Jeal
Contributing writer
