Singer Bobby Bruce is taking to the water as he did in 2020 with a set of floating concerts at three locations on Gambier Island, his home base. Bruce, renowned for his Neil Diamond tribute shows as Nearly Neil, will be on the deck of Andy Harper’s big cabin cruiser, Madrone, on Saturday, July 31, singing to audiences ashore and in the small armada of boats that follow. “We’re taking Yacht Rock to another level,” said Bruce. The music starts in West Bay at 5 p.m., followed by Gambier Harbour at 6 p.m., and New Brighton at 7 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Gambier Community Centre. All audience members are asked to purchase $20 tickets at gambierisland.org. Youths 15 and under are free.
Concerts on the pier
For some special music by the ocean – as opposed to on it – guitarist Jamie Bowers launches a series of free Sunday evening shows on Aug. 1, at the end of Roberts Creek pier. Bowers, who has toured with the bands Chilliwack and Prism, will play his sunset serenades in surround sound. “From the hauntingly beautiful, to world and pop originals, and covers,” said Bowers. “Magic music in a magic place.” Start time is about two hours before sunset (which is getting earlier each week). Every Sunday with nice weather, until Sept. 12.
Art at The Garden
The Landing Artists group has a show and sale throughout the long weekend at the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden on Mason Road in Sechelt. “Lots of new work. Featuring original paintings, prints, photography, sculpted characters, fibre art, jewellery, lamps and more.” 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
Venue change
Music in The Landing will now be staging both its Saturday afternoon and evening concerts at Winegarden Park for the rest of the summer. (The afternoon sets had originally been scheduled for Pioneer Square, by the George Gibson statue.) On July 31 at 1 p.m., singer-songwriter Jim Foster performs, then at 7 p.m. hear the bohemian funk/jazz fusion of Tongue N Groove.
More live music
At the Clubhouse at the Pender Harbour golf course, the Soleil Duo of Nancy Pincombe and Kenneth Johnson performs Friday, July 30 at 5 p.m. On Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., the Peter Van Trio plays and from 2 to 5 p.m. on holiday Monday, Aug. 2, it’s the Steve Hinton Band.
At the Sechelt Summer Music Series on Saturday, July 31, David Jones plays at noon and the Gruny Four come on at 1 p.m.
At Tapworks in Gibsons on Saturday, July 31, hear The Organics, starting at 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday, July 31 at the Roberts Creek Legion, the Grateful Dead tribute band GDBC will prompt a few flashbacks, starting at 4 p.m., with sets until 8 p.m. $25.
There’s an impressively packed lineup for Aug. 1 at Slow Sundays in the Creek, at the gazebo behind the library in Roberts Creek. At noon, singer-songwriters Charlotte Wrinch and Michael Friedman perform together. At 1 p.m. it’s the “evolved ukulele enthusiasts,” Wildflowers. Roberts Creek writer John Van Arsdell is on at 1:45, then the Lowry Olafson Trio at 2 p.m., followed by show closers, Tube Radio Quintet at 2:45.
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