The Courtenay Centennial celebrations kick into high gear next week, with the Homecoming Week Concert Series at Simms Millennium Park - featuring the best there was, the best there is, and possibly even the best there ever will be in the Comox Valley.
It all starts Friday, June 26, with a triple-bill of Valley up-and-comers, as Keisja Cox, the Joey Clarkson Band and Des Larson Band take the stage.
That concert runs from 7-9:30 p.m.
The concert series takes a break on Saturday, to make room for the Tailgate Party at the Comox Valley Sports Centre, then resumes Sunday, June 28 with the Battle of the Bands.
This annual competition, now in its 11th year, is an opportunity for local musicians 19 years and younger to compete for a recording contract.
The competition runs from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, email bmorissette@shaw.ca or call Fuzz at 250-792-2063.
The concert series switches to jazz for its Monday bill, as Ralph Barrat and the Sharp Seven along with special guests take to the stage for Jazz Under the Stars, from 7-9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 30 has been dubbed The Originals, featuring nothing but homegrown original music from four sources:
• Gord Carter;
• Comox and Friends – one of the hottest Island bands of the 1970s, featuring none other than Edwin Grieve;
• The Todd Butler Band, and;
• Sue Medley’s Back Road Band.
Showtime for The Originals is 7-9:30 p.m.
The concert series will take another one-day break, for all the usual festivities surrounding Canada Day, before resuming July 2 with an all-star cast for The Champagne Jam.
Doug Cox, Sam Hurry, Barry Polichek and Rob Flannery host a jam session with some of the greatest musicians in the Valley.
It’s no secret that the Comox Valley has some of the best musicians in the country. Many of them are coming together throughout Homecoming Week to make the Courtenay Centennial celebrations that much more special. Bring a blanket and a picnic and make an evening out of it. Pick your evening and enjoy.