Arts writer Mike Devlin picks his favourite upcoming events, including Tofino Jazz Festival, June 26-29.
Where:Various locationsWhen: June 26-29Tickets:tofinojazzfestival.com
Why:A wild line-up of free and ticketed events sits at the heart of the Tofino Jazz Festival, which stretches the definition of jazz to incorporate disco, funk, folk and vaudeville. That makes for an impressive four-day budget-conscious schedule, with everything from a concert at sunset to a two-hour parade that marches through the heart of the city with a New Orleans-style brass band in tow. With only four paid performances — The Halibut Cowboys at The MAQ Hotel on Thursday, and Five Alarm Funk (Friday), Bu Von Blume (Saturday), and Downtown Mischief (Sunday) at the Royal Canadian Legion — and 18 free ones, the Tofino Jazz Festival is one of the best bang-for-your-buck events on the Island this summer.
Where:Centennial Square, VictoriaWhen:June 26-29Admission:Free
Why:The 12th edition of this celebration of Victoria’s African and Afro-descendant culture — with this year’s theme of Flavours of Africa and the Caribbean — will fill Centennial Square with a range of offerings through the long weekend, including live music, dance, food, fashion, and art. Four days of programming (June 26–27, 5-9 p.m.; June 28, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; June 29, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.) produced by Victoria’s ISSAMBA Centre, the city’s community convener for people of African descent living in British Columbia, gives AfriCa Fest an impressive footprint, highlighted by an African drumming night on Friday.
Where:Various venues, DuncanWhen:June 27-Aug. 4Admission:Free
Why:Duncan’s 39 Days of July is a free festival, which is all the more impressive when you consider it includes 356 shows over a seven-week period. Stages at Charles Hoey Memorial Park, Duncan City Hall, Lion’s Club Water Park, and Jac’s on Queens will host everything from music and magic programming for kids and a Carlson’s School of Dance teacher-student showcase to up-and-coming musical acts from across Vancouver Island. The biggest events in the series take place at the City Square Stage in the heart of downtown, with esteemed performers Miss Emily, Kim Churchill, David Gogo, Jane Siberry, Shooglenifty, Crystal Shawanda, and Prairie Oyster’s Russell de Carle booked to appear throughout the summer.
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