InFocus Magazine

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

JUNE 6 — Dancing Under the Stars. Coastal Black Winery is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to create an amazing evening infused with a Latin American theme. Shuttle services are provided to both communities of Campbell River and the Comox Valley. Visit www.habitatnorthisland.com or stop by Coastal Black Winery for tickets.

JUNE 6 & 7 — Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association 23rd Annual Outdoor Recreation Show. Celebrating Courtenay’s Centennial is the theme this year. Admission is non-perishable goods for the Food Bank. 9-4 pm.

JUNE 6 — Comox Valley Relay for Life. Vanier Track from 7 pm to 7 am. Registration is $10. Visit www.relayforlife.ca/comoxvalley or call Tracy, patient 250-668-6794 FMI.

JUNE 7 — Centennial Salute Spring Concert. The Celebration Singers are delighted to salute the City of Courtenay with their spring concert at the Sid Williams Theatre. 7:30-9pm.

JUNE 10 — Wine Wednesday at 40 Knots Winery. ‘Flight Night’ includes Jilli Martini Band and airline-theme dinner—only better. Call 40 Knots Winery, 250-941-8810 for tickets or FMI.

JUNE 13-14 — Denman Island Home & Garden Tour. HelloBC.com describes Denman Island as “low-profile” and “charmingly serene,” and for the most part, this cannot be contested: the exception being a certain horticultural madness that pervades the island. Named as one of Canada’s top six horticultural events by the Globe and Mail, the bi-annual Denman Island Home and Garden tour offers the rare opportunity to glimpse the passion, creativity, and unique island flourishes Denmanites dedicate to their properties. Visit www.denmanconservancy.org/home-and-garden-tour/ or call 250-335-2148 FMI.

JUNE 13-20 — BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival. This is a week of Seafood Extravaganzas! June 13—Foraging for Wild Edibles; Flying Lobster Opening Reception & Dinner; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Long Table Dinner and Thai Twist of Seafood. June 14—Best Caesar in Town Competition; June 15, 17 & 19—Salmon Farm Tours; June 15-19—Manatee Holdings Hatchery Tour; June 16—Deep Water Oyster Farm Tour; June 16-18—Fanny Bay Oysters Plant Tours; June 18—Oysters 101 – An Evening for Oyster Lovers; 4 Course Seafood Celebration & Oyster Bar; June 19—BC Shellfish Growers Association Annual Gala Dinner; June 20—I’d like to be Under the Sea Wine Pairing Dinner, Seafood Feast and Casino Royal. For more information visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com

JUNE 18 — Annie Becker, our Island girl, the bohemian songstress returns from the big city! Tickets $12 advance. Doors 9:30 pm. The Waverley, 2692 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland • 250-336-8322. For more information visit www.cumberlandvillageworks.com

JUNE 20 — Comox by the Sea Celebration. Don’t miss this fun-filled, delicious and informative day for families and seafood lovers, featuring Shucker Paddy—Guinness Book World Record Holder for Shucking Oysters! He will be demonstrating how to shuck an oyster and will emcee the Fanny Bay Oyster Shucking Championship. Ned Bell, Celebrity Chef from the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and founder of Chefs for Oceans. Seafood tastings provided by 11 restaurants and seafood producers. Live touch tanks, educational displays and interactive activities for kids. Live music. Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park, Comox. Noon -5 pm.

JUNE 20-21 — BC Family Fishing Weekend at Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association. Bring your gear to fish for trout in the pond. Free admission. 9am-4pm. FMI visit www.courtenayfishandgame.org

JUNE 20 — The Butterfly Ball Comox Valley. Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island proudly presents the first ever Butterfly Ball. This is an enchanting evening for dads and daughters, grandfathers and granddaughters. Crown Isle Resort, 430-9:30 pm. Call Anita, 250-702-6131 FMI.

JUNE 21 — Courtenay Car Free Sunday. Pedego Electric Bikes will be offering free test rides of their electric bikes in Downtown Courtenay. Visit www.pedegoqb.ca FMI.

JUNE 26 — Living Culture—First Nations Exhibitions. In conjunction with the City of Courtenay Centennial Celebrations, the Comox Valley Art Gallery is presenting a First Nations program of exhibitions and events. 6-9 pm.

JUNE 26 — Young Bloods Concert. Kick off Centennial Homecoming Week celebrations with this concert at Simms Millenium Park featuring local young musicians. 7-10 pm.

JUNE 27 — Centennial Sports Festival and Tailgate Party. Join in the City of Courtenay’s Centennial festivities. From 11am-2pm there will be a sports festival and youth activities at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. From 3-10pm there will be a jumbo screen with the CFL football season opener. Also—a chili cook off! Visit www.courtenay.ca/100 FMI.

JUNE 27 — Multicultural Festival 2015. The Comox Valley Multicultural Society is hosting this festival at Simms Millenium Park, starting at 5 pm. Enjoy a Cuban band and multicultural foods. 5-8 pm.

JUNE 28 — Battle of the Bands. This event gives young musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents to a panel of Judges and a live audience. Come enjoy the music! Simms Millenium Park, 5-10 pm.  www.courtenay.ca/100

JUNE 29 — Jazz Under the Stars. Enjoy the sounds of Ralph Barrat and the Sharp Seven and Anila and the Experimenters at Simms Millenium Park. 7-9:30 pm.

JUNE 30 — “The Originals” Concert. Enjoy a concert at Simms Millenium Park featuring talented Comox Valley musicians. 7-9:30 pm.

JULY 1 — Salute to the Pioneers—Parade and Events for Canada Day. Multi-day festivities honoring Canada’s birthday and Courtenay’s centennial year culminate in a full Canada Day celebration. 7am-5pm. Celebrate Canada Variety Show. A two hour show featuring a great line-up from dance to opera! Talented local performers help make this Centennial Canada Day extra special. 7-9 pm. FMI www.courtenay.ca/100

JULY 2 — Champagne Jam Concert. Great jams with local musicians at Simms Millenium Park. 7-10 pm.

JULY 3 — Downtown Street Dance and Concert. Friday evening, put on your dancing shoes & head downtown for a party! Presented by the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association. 5-11 pm.

JULY 4 — Symphony and Fireworks. Bring a blanket, your lawn chairs & a picnic & enjoy this once in a century celebration and fireworks at the Courtenay Airpark! 3-11 pm.

JULY 10-12 — Vancouver Island MusicFest is a three day family-friendly music festival showcasing the best in roots, blues and world music the industy has to offer. Headliners Lyle Lovett, Graham Nash and Buddy Guy. Visit www.islandmusicfest.com/performers for a compete list of performers at this year’s festival. Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, Headquarters Road, Courtenay.

JULY 16-19 — Denman Readers and Writers Festival. Solo readings and performances from a variety of authors, main stage events, writing workshops. Writer-in-Residence—Steven Price. Moderators—Stewart Goodings, Des Kennedy, Jo-Ann Roberts. All venues in Denman Village. Visit the website to register or for more information: www.denmanislandwritersfestival.com

JULY 18 — 45th Annual Downtown Courtenay Market Day. More than 100 vendors will be on the streets with some of the Comox Valley’s best offerings. You will find handmade, one-of-a-kind products along with some of the best deals from your favorite downtown shops. Food, entertainment—fun for the whole family. 9am-7pm. Visit www.courtenaymarketday.com FMI.

JULY 19 — Simms Summer Concert Series. Fiddlejam entertains with toe tapping gold old time musical fun for all ages. Simms Millenium Park, 7-9 pm.

JULY 25 — Classic Cruisers and Vintage Fire Equipment Parade. From 7-9 pm, watch for classic cars and fire trucks cruising throughout the Comox Valley.

JULY 26 — Classic Cruisers and Vintage Fire Equipment Show and Shine. In this special Centennial edition of the annual Graffiti Bash Show and Shine, classic cars and fire equipment will be on display from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in downtown Courtenay.

JULY 31 – AUGUST 3 — 33rd annual Filberg Festival. This is one of the largest festivals on Vancouver Island, with a huge lineup of artisans and performers to keep the entire family entertained. Situated on the grounds of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, this four-day event features pottery, jewellery, woodwork, clothing and more from 150 different vendors. Food, entertainment and much more. Daily admission charged. FMI visit www.filbergfestival.com

JULY 31-AUGUST 15 — Walking With Our Sisters is a memorial installation that honors missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. This memorial will generate awareness through the display of 1,810 handmade pairs of moccasin tops in a solemn space. Walking With Our Sisters K’omoks is honored to bring this memorial to the K’omoks Band Hall, 3320 Comox Road. It is the first and only BC venue for this nationwide event. Open to the public, this event is free. Visit www.wwoscomoxvalley.com FMI.

AUGUST 1-3 — Comox Nautical Days. Enjoy a FREE, family friendly, and fun-filled Festival BC Day Long Weekend, in Comox Marina Park. The Annual Comox Nautical Days Festival returns with all the games, nautical competitions, outstanding entertainment and great food you’ve come to love and expect. Whether you’re cheering on the competitors or taking part in one of the many events, Comox Nautical Days Festival has something for everyone. For event details and schedule visit www.comoxnauticaldays.ca

AUGUST 14-16 — Atmosphere Gathering is proudly returning to the Village of Cumberland for a second year of immersive experiences. The community is a huge part of this gathering, providing a wonderful backdrop to our offerings of live and electronic elements. This year’s lineup has been hand-picked to manifest an exciting multi-sensory extravaganza. Visit www.atmospheregathering.com for tickets and FMI.

AUGUST 15 — 2015 Armed Forces Day & Air Show. Come and join us as we Salute the Community We Serve. As part of our Armed Forces Day, the air show is our chance to open our doors and allow the public to get up close with the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and see the equipment we use each day in protecting Canadians and Canadian values. 19 Wing, Comox Air Base. www.comoxairshow.ca

AUGUST 28-30 — Comox Valley Exhibition. Celebrating its 141st year of agriculture, Comox Valley Exhibition invites everyone to join in on the three days of jammed packed family fun, ‘Pioneer Days & Modern Ways.’ You can milk a goat, race a zucchini, watch the many farm animal and 4H shows and demonstrations, sink your teeth into a freshly made candy apple and sit back and enjoy the lumberjack shows and non-stop entertainment. Come experience the many wonders of Comox Valley rural life! www.cvex.ca

 

ONGOING COMMUNITY CLUBS & EVENTS

EVERY SUNDAY — Bluegrass Brunch Sundays with Archie Pateman & Friends. 10:30 am. The Waverley, 2692 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland • 250-336-8322 www.cumberlandvillageworks.com

EVERY MONDAY — Senior’s Program, Halbe Hall in Black Creek. Start with an hour-long fitness class, followed by a homemade lunch provided by the Black Creek Community Assoc. $5 drop-in. 250-337-5190 FMI.

EVERY MONDAY — Woolgatherers Club. 11am-3pm, Fallen Alders Hall, Royston@Minto Road. Call Carole, 250-334-4284 or Carol, 250-339-3403 FMI.

EVERY MONDAY — Ocean Waves Square Dance Class, 7-9 pm at the Anglican Church in Courtenay.  Dress casual, everyone welcome.  FMI 250-338-7942.

EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY & FRIDAY — Al-Anon for people concerned about a loved one’s drinking. Mon, Tues and Fri 8 pm; Thurs 10 am. Call 250-334-2392 FMI.

EVERY TUESDAY — Fun Euchre, Courtenay Legion, 1:30 pm. Mixed pub darts at 7 pm.

EVERY TUESDAY — Drop-in meditation with Lucas every Tuesday, 7 pm at Ocean Resort, Oyster Bay (by $$ donations to the food banks). Call 250-792-3165.

EVERY TUESDAY — Universal Devotional Chanting and Meditation. Mystic Valley Voices Chanting Community. Little Red Church Healing Centre, 2182 Comox Avenue (at Alpine). 6:45-8:30pm. Everyone welcome! ChantMaster Oliver Clarke, 250-218-1688. Visit www.mysticvalleyvoices.org FMI.

EVERY TUESDAY — Regular Drop In Meditation and Teaching with Geshe YongDong at the Sherab Chamma Ling, Tibetan Bon Buddhist Centre. By donation. 407A 5th Street, Courtenay. www.sherabchammaling.com FMI.

EVERY WEDNESDAY — The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market weekly summer markets. 9am-12:30 pm, Downtown Courtenay. This is the perfect place to join the fun with the best selection of fresh seasonal vegetables, free-range meat, seafood, poultry and eggs, pasta, nuts, baking, ethnic foods, take-home meals, cheese and honey, natural skin-care products, pet treats, entertainment and much more! FMI: www.cvfm.ca

EVERY WEDNESDAY — Drop-in darts at 1pm. Courtenay Legion.

EVERY WEDNESDAY — The Woolly Mammoth Craft Club is a free, all ages knitting circle ongoing Wednesday nights at Lake Trail School. 6:30-8pm at Lake Trail School (805 Willemar) in the school library. [email protected].

EVERY WEDNESDAY — Regular Drop In Silent Meditation Practice; two sessions: 7-7:30 pm & 7:35-8:05 pm. Sherab Chamma Ling, Tibetan Bon Buddhist Centre, 407A 5th Street, Courtenay. www.sherabchammaling.com FMI.

EVERY THURSDAY — Crib & Gucci, Courtenay Legion, 6:30 pm. Men’s darts at 7 pm.

EVERY THURSDAY — Thursday Jazz Club. In the past year the Jazz Club has had over 20 different host combos with 200+ musicians aged 13 to 80 years on the stage. The Avalanche Bar and Grill on Eight Street, Courtenay, 7:30-10:30 pm. www.georgiastraightjazz.com

EVERY THURSDAY — Thursday Night Open Jam. Stellar house band, ready to play music in almost any style! 9 pm. No cover. The Waverley, 2692 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland • 250-336-8322. For more information visit www.cumberlandvillageworks.com

EVERY FRIDAY — Conversation Group—a great opportunity to practice English in a safe and welcoming environment. Sponsored by the Immigrant Welcome Centre. Courtenay Branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. Every Friday, 1-20 pm. Last Friday of the month, 1:30-3pm. Call Jean, 250-338-6359 FMI.

EVERY SATURDAY — The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market is outdoors for the summer. This is the perfect place to join the fun with the best selection of fresh seasonal vegetables, free-range meat, seafood, poultry and eggs, pasta, nuts, baking, ethnic foods, take-home meals, cheese and honey, natural skin-care products, pet treats, entertainment and much more! Bring the family and enjoy the entertainment. Headquarters Road in Courtenay from 9am – noon. Also Thursday evening markets, Downtown Courtenay from 5-8 on June 18, July 17 & August 20. FMI: www.cvfm.ca

JUNE 7, 14 & 21 • JULY 5, 12 & 26 • AUGUST 2, 9 & 16 — Pedego Riders Group Rides. Pedego Electric Bike owners get together for a fun tour in the Comox Valley. 10am-noon. Check our website, www.pedegoqb.ca or Facebook for meeting locations. Pedego Electric Bikes, Qualicum Beach. Call 1-844-738-9333 FMI.

JUNE 17 • JULY 2 & 15 • AUGUST 6 & 19 — Book Club, Courtenay. The group is intended as a social and education gathering where community members, newcomers and immigrants can come together in a safe environment to read and discuss books of the group’s choice. Courtenay Branch, Vancouver Island Regional Library. 6:30-7:45pm. Call Jean, 250-338-6359 FMI.

JUNE 18 • JULY 17 • AUGUST 20 — Thursday evening markets, Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Downtown Courtenay from 5-8 pm This is the perfect place to join the fun with the best selection of fresh seasonal vegetables, free-range meat, seafood, poultry and eggs, pasta, nuts, baking, ethnic foods, take-home meals, cheese and honey, natural skin-care products, pet treats, entertainment and much more! Bring the family and enjoy the entertainment. FMI: www.cvfm.ca