IN CONCERT
What: The Breakwater Barge Series
When: Friday evenings, May 26 through Sept. 22
Where: 201 Dallas Rd.
Admission: $2
A series of outdoor events at The Breakwater Barge last year turned the floating Greater Victoria Harbour Authority stage into one of best-received musical happenings of the summer.
Organizers are back with a second edition that gets underway with great expectations on Friday, the first of 18 events in the series that runs every Friday until Sept. 22.
“It’s a vehicle to highlight a lot of amazing talent from around Victoria,” said Morgan Brooker, music programmer for the event.
“A lot of these bands are bands that people are going to be familiar with through the local music scene.”
On deck first is the supergroup Cities, which features singer-guitarist Adam Kittredge (formerly of Jets Overhead), drummer Matt Johnson of 54-40, bassist Jeff Scotney (Velvet, Quoia) and jazz favourites Nick La Riviere (trombone) and Miguel Valdes (trumpet).
The Great Divide (June 9), Dylan Stone Band (June 16), DJ Juice (June 23) and Jessica Benini Band (June 30) are on tap next month, with a special guest for June 2 to be announced at a later date.
“It’s a large, special surprise act,” Brooker said. “We won’t be announcing the person until June 1, so it’s going to get nuts.”
The covered barge, situated on the water near Ogden Point, proved to be a hugely popular attraction last year.
Brooker said he expects the venue to be at capcity most nights. Weird Party, Black Angus, Union Cartel, Vinyl Wave and The Lost Boys have also been booked.
The full lineup of barge acts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, Brooker added.
Organizers are working with an increased capacity of 375 this summer, but with shorter hours. The barge (which opened at noon last year) will now be open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays, with two sets of music on tap each night. Several food trucks will be on site through the summer, and beer, wine and cider will be offered.
Admission for each event is $2, a portion of which will be donated to charity.
The barge is licensed, but suitable for fans of all ages. Everybody is welcome, including children, Brooker said.
“It is arguably one of the nicest views in Victoria to watch music on.”
