This Friday May 16th celebration will feature many wonderful events!

A traditional tribute to Queen Victoria, the crowning of the May Queen, The Pacific Gail Pipe and Drum, music interludes by Nanaimo Concert Band, and a new touch this year, a full range of fabulous multicultural stage performances by local talent. Admission by donation.

Poised for his Carnegie Hall debut next season in New York, award winning Vancouver Island tenor Ken Lavigne presents a thrilling evening of gorgeous music and entertaining stories. Accompanied by the Victoria Philharmonic Symphony, a lush forty piece orchestra, and his exciting blend of classical tenor sound with modern style. Ken Lavigne is a versatile performer who commands ovations at every performance.

“Outstanding” - Globe and Mail
“Canada’s Pavarotti” - News Leader
“Just plain exhilarating” - Time Colonist

State Of Shock was nominated for a 2008 Juno Award for Best New Group. “Money Honey” was a top 10 single at three music genre formats & nominated for a 2008 Canadian Radio Music Award in each category and won for CHR and Rock. It was also #1 on the Canadian All Formats Radio Chart for eight weeks and has spent more than nine months on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart. “Money Honey” surpassed Canadian platinum status for digital sales with more than 55,000, and it’s still going. State Of Shock has recently been the opening act for Aerosmith and Nickelback

Econoline Crush has notable singles such as "Wicked", "Home","Sparkle & Shine", "Make It Right", "All That You Are", "You Don't Know What It's Like" & "Dirty".

The Original Platters were famous in the early 50's with hits like "Only You", "Great Pretender", "My Prayer" and much more! Although many of the original members have passed away, the toe tappin' music continues on with the Legendary Platters. Don't miss this fabulous group singing all the songs made famous by the originals

Over the years and with over 80 hit records, The Ink Spots unique style, sound and elegant stage presence have delighted audiences worldwide. The Ink Spots continue to delight audiences with the wonderful harmonies and arrangements that have made the group a musical legend around the world.

"Their centuries-old vocal technique has been thrillingly preserved; a kind of passionate belting, perfectly in tune, that cuts straight to the heart of the enraptured listener."- New York Post

An international choral sensation, Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares is a
twenty-four-voice choir with a rare vocal gift. This all-women ensemble
sings a mesmerizing repertoire of traditional folk songs from their native
Bulgaria, with modern arrangements in complex a cappella harmony.

Combine three of Canada's funniest female comics - Debra DiGiovanni, Laurie Elliott and Kristeen von Hagen - one hot night of laughs and numerous Canadian cities and you get a mother of a Girls Night Out! Debra DiGiovanni: Seen on NBC's Last Comic Standing and Much Music's Video on Trial, the winner of Best Female Standup at this year's Canadian Comedy Awards. Laurie Elliott: Two-time winner of Best Female Stand- up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Gemini Nominee and star of her own comedy special, CTV's Comedy Now! Kristeen von Hagen: Featured at Montreal's Just For Laughs and on The Comedy Networks Comedy Now!

The 145-voice "Vancouver Island Gospel & World Music Choir" under the direction of composer, conductor, arranger, educator BRIAN TATE offers its first-ever concert with special guest ensembles "Acappella Plus" and "The Sinclair Singers". The VIGWM Choir was formed in 2007 and has placed its initial focus on learning music collected by Brian on his January 2007 travel adventure to Africa. This high-energy and moving concert also welcomes audience participation.

Students will entertain you with their performances in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop,
Modern & Musical Theatre.

Come and celebrate the love of dance in a performance featuring ballet, modern, pointe, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and special guest performers.

Tempo Dance School presents: “COME DANCE WITH US”- Celebrating 15 years in the Community. Young dance students from ages 3 to adult will delight you with Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Pointe performances.

A lively evening guaranteed to put a smile on your face and get you dancing in your seat! Experience the wee lads and lassies with championship dancers & musicians.

A grass roots multi-artist concert
utilizing the power of music to convey
an educational, solutions-based, environmental message. Featured
artists are: MimosA- a fresh, young,
and wild flamenco-rock group.
Naseem - a youthful Persian violinist, Monique Salez- a passionate vibrant flamenco dancer, Zinnia- a pop songstress with global roots and
Dr Atomic - he will zap it with some techno-funk! Let it simmer and you
have got an explosive recipe for
taking back the planet!

View all the artists and listen to their
music!

Click for more on 2 fest 2008

Parksville Ballet School dancers present their annual June recital "Dancespectacular!". The recital will showcase various dance styles
performed by students ages 4 through Adult who are enrolled in
Parksville Ballet School dance classes. There are two different shows
that are quite spectacular! The afternoon program will feature Ballet,
Modern, National and Kinder Klasses and the evening program will
feature Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop dance.

Pink Floyd music is music that is meant to be heard live! “All in All It’s Just” is like nothing you have ever seen before. The outstanding vocals, amazing guitar riffs and incredible sound has been met with standing ovations everywhere they have played.

“All in All It’s Just” strives to bring you the absolute best show possible. Their re-creation of Pink Floyd songs is remarkable, while still infusing their own unique interpretation and pleasing style into the music. While familiar songs, such as Another Brick In The Wall, often get the biggest cheers, the band does not limit itself to Pink Floyd's best-known pieces.

A prolific Canadian music artist who makes you think! Alternative Rock Songwriter/Musician, political activist and blogger, Matthew Good was chosen as the iTunes Canadian Rock Artist Of The Year, for his release of the album Hospital Music in 2007. He’s also been included in the Best of 2007, and Top Sellers listings. Hospital Music has also remained in and around the Top 10 in the alternative section within the iTunes store since its release and debut at #1.

Passing on Traditions on Canada’s - “other Celtic Coast”

CeltFest 2008 features a world-class
teaching faculty and stellar performers
from the east coast to west and from
around the world. Among them are
Champion fiddlers, dancers, pipers,
drummers, Juno nominees, and
renowned recording artists.
The Sunset and Stars Gala will be the entertainment event unparalleled on
the west coast.

Check out CeltFest on Youtube

Something wonderful is coming your way when UBetcha! Promotions presents Rogers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I this summer! This popular musical stars Ladysmith's Katy Bowen-Roberts as English school teacher, Anna Leonowens, and Nanaimo's Jonee Janolino as King Mongut . Set in Siam, now known as Thailand, the story follows the meeting of these two who, despite different cultures, find similarities which strengthen their friendship. The music for The King and I will be provided by two grand pianos on stage played by two of Nanaimo's finest pianists, Rie Okamura and Sharon Wishart.

The Nevilles provoke, entertain and
excite audiences around the globe.
Their similarity/diversity dynamic
continues on a paradoxical path.
Each of the four brothers pursue
projects of their own. Aaron has
forged a highly successful solo career.
Art tours with an offshoot group he
calls the Funky Meter. For years Cyril has led the Uptown All stars. Charles has recorded a series of critically acclaimed jazz records. Yet the heart of the matter is family. Family is everything. With family, there is the miracle of Neville music, four brothers, bonded by blood, creating some of the funkiest sounds this world has ever heard.

STUART McLEAN is one of Canada's most beloved storytellers and a best-selling author. His hit CBC radio show "THE VINYL CAFE" airs each week with over 750,000 listeners tuning in for an eclectic musical journey and to hear about the trials and tribulations of Dave, his wife Morley and his children Stephanie and Sam. For several years, Stuart has taken THE VINYL CAFE to sold out theatres across Canada. The shows feature the popular Dave and Morley stories, and showcase the talents of Canadian musicians.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country's cultural emissary at home and around the world. They are a national treasure of the new South Africa in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo pays tribute an historical icon with their new release, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu. Ilembe celebrates not only Shaka Zulu but the sense of perseverance, creativity and pride that he has inspired in generations of descendants
Come and hear the sound of Zulu history. Catch the spirit of Ilembe.

Advance buy for Port Theatre Members !

Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed Russian dancers, Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is an annual treat for the whole family. Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blends with the richness of Russian classical dance to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a unique performance not to be missed!
Set against Valentin Fedorov's spectacular scenic design, with larger-than-life puppets and the backdrop of unicorns, exotic birds and animals, the Great Russian Nutcracker is a visual delight.

This year's Concert Band line-up delivers both old favourites and new twists. Expect everything from musicals to marches, classical to big band.
The best part: the familiar tunes are sure to get your toe tapping and transport you to another time and place. Join us for our Fall concert at the Port Theatre on November 9, 2008 at 2:30pm. We sell out quickly so get your tickets soon. Our concerts tickets are only $10.00. At the concert you will be able to view our historical display, celebrating the band's 136-year history.

"She introduced each song with a
family-oriented tale. Some produced laughs...others pulled tears. All provided
for an embracing prelude to MacNeil's
well-crafted tunes."
- The Buffalo News, New York

"...Her Christmas tour is all about
personal memories with universal appeal. It's her Christmas and yours, together."
- The Edmonton Journal, Alberta