Spotlight on Vancouver Island
BC Concert Series co-presented by Rogers features Vancouver Island's brightest talent performing to highlight important causes
The sequel to the Mainland Concert Series of 2020 re-launches in November 2021 on Vancouver Island, highlighting Artists from the region for a special series of online and in-person concerts. A Side Door initiative supported by Rogers, the series features a diverse selection of rising talent in a variety of genres; including soul, indie classical, and folk.
Show Dates
November 7: Oliver Swain & Ashley Wey @ Char’s Landing - Port Alberni +
December 10: Sail Cassady - Victoria +
December 11: Dan Gaucher Trio @ Yellowhouse Arts Centre presents - Galiano Island #
December 12: Elise Boulanger @ Char’s Landing - Port Alberini +
December 14: Alexandria Maillot - Courtenay #
February 6: Aidan Knight - @ Centennial United Church - Victoria +
+ online and in-person
* in-person
# online
Featured Artists
Oliver Swain & Ashley Wey
Sunday, November 7 PM PST @ Char’s Landing - Port Alberni, BC
Oliver Swain & Ashley Wey - two acclaimed Jazz & Americana artists join forces, fusing improv, songwriting Appalachian banjo, sting bass, and keys!
Oliver Swain: JUNO & WCMA nominated roots artist Oliver Swain Has as been a celebrated musician for years, held in high regard in acoustic and folk music styles for both his astonishing instrumental and vocal abilities, though he seldom gives the genre a fully traditional treatment. Oliver Swain strays towards the whimsical, the spiritual, and the socially conscious side of what he likes to refer to as "chamber folk odyssey", and it's these beguiling and provocative elements that make him unique as an artist and songwriter. Devon Leger even called him "The Zen Rock Garden of old-time music"
Ashley Wey: Ashley Wey is a multi-award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist. She has worked with Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, Juno Award-winners Brandi Distrehaft, Mae Moore, The Parachute Club and has toured on cruise ships around the world with four-time Grammy Award winner, Manny Kellough. With three critically acclaimed self-produced albums to her credit, Wey has just released her first album of entirely original music, Hummingbird – a genre-bending project melding alternative folk, pop, and jazz on July 7, 2021.
An evening with Sail Cassady and Paisley Cove @ The.Victoria.House - Victoria, BC
December 10 @ 7 PM PST
Sail Cassady is the solo project of singer-songwriter Colin Craveiro from Victoria B.C. Fused with dark undertones and dream folk landscapes, Sail Cassady draws on life experience and imagination to author an adventure through his darkly beautiful mind. His backing band fits like a glove and brings an ethereal life to Colin's original music.
Enjoy a pre-recorded acoustic music set with guest appearances by Paisley Cove poetry. The show will include an exclusive music video screening of the new single 'Old Green House', shot by Brother Sea Productions. In addition, stick around afterward for a Zoom hangout and Q&A with the local artistic community Surkeus Records and Sail Cassady. This broadcast will be available for 48 hours to replay at your convenience if you can't attend at the showtime.
Strange Worlds Trio @ Yellowhouse Art Centre - Galiano Island, BC
December 11
Strange Worlds Trio creates melodic soundscapes that reflect its surroundings while envisioning an alternate future. Each piece exists in its own orbit, circling crystalline refractions of familiar melodies and ancient instincts. Featuring Alvaro Rojas - Guitar (Gran Kasa, Music for 22), James Meger - Bass (Sick Boss, How To Do Nothing), and Dan Gaucher - Drums (Fond of Tigers, Star System
Elise Boulanger's A Night B4 The Night B4 Christmas Show @ Char's Landing
December 12 @ 2:30 PM PST
The Night B4 The Night B4: An Evening of Christmas Music & Stories After two years, Vocalist Elise Boulanger is back to bring you this darling Christmas gathering with Pianist Sarah Wood. Having played together for over ten years, Boulanger and Wood have magnetic musical chemistry that will bring you Christmas cheer. Christmas Show News Article w accompanying promo music video compilation www.nanaimobulletin.com For more see: www.eliseboulanger.com
Partial proceeds to support Ty Watson Hospice albernihospice.ca Join us to donate now!
Alexandria Maillot and full band play Benevolence
December 14 @ 7 PM PST
Breathing new life into the Canadian music landscape, Vancouver Island “swoon rock” artist, Alexandria Maillot takes listeners on a journey through lava-lamp-lit bedrooms and rain-soaked roads. Spinning sonic motifs of acoustic wonder and electric drive, Maillot’s sound is familiar yet refreshing - a favourite transistor radio playing classic vibes with a contemporary twist. With grit, nuanced vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, nostalgic narratives paired with the electro-pop playfulness of Alanis Morissette circa Jagged Little Pill, Maillot has been steadily gaining momentum in a post-genre era. Her debut album Time garnered national radio attention and widespread critical acclaim, and now, the budding of a new chapter begins with her full-length sophomore release, Benevolence.
If southern rock, dream pop, and R&B were blended together and baked in a grungy Easy-Bake oven, it might come out sounding something like Benevolence. It is the gut wrench of a heartbreak, the passion of a parking lot altercation, the ghostly shape of a fairground at night. These are songs that toss and turn in bed; Songs that sweep the corners of one’s closet and wonder, “what’s left to fix?”
Aidan Knight • Centennial United Church - Victoria, BC
February 6 @ 8 PM PST
As a songwriter, performer, and producer based on Vancouver Island, Aidan has released 3 critically acclaimed albums (Versicolour, Small Reveal, and Each Other), toured with artists like Half Moon Run, Andy Shauf, James Vincent McMorrow, Villagers, Dan Mangan, and more. Since the release of his 3rd LP (Each Other), he’s moved to Berlin and back, begun a home base studio for his production work, and celebrated the birth of his son with Julia, his wife, and longtime creative partner.
