TRADITIONAL FOLK
What: Victoria Trad Weekend
Where: First Church of Christ, Scientist (1205 Pandora Ave.) and Esquimalt United Church (500 Admirals Rd.)
When: Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15
Tickets: $20/$25 (concert) or $125/$140 (workshop and concert) from eventbrite.ca, Ivy’s Bookshop and Long & McQuade
Why: A concert at First Church of Christ, Scientist, on Friday kicks off this very busy two-day event, which includes folk workshops and a second concert at Esquimalt United Church on Saturday. The second annual celebration and study of traditional music and dance — ranging from Celtic and bluegrass to step dancing — has assembled quite the all-star cast in its sophomore season, including Pierre Schryer, Daniel Lapp, Ivonne Hernandez, Adam Iredale-Gray, Gabriel Dubrieul, Elise Boeur, Oliver Swain and Charlie Gannon, among others. For more information, visit ivonnehernandez.com.
WORLD MUSIC
What: Issamba
Where: Dave Dunnet Community Theatre at Oak Bay High School, 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.
When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7)
Tickets: $25 from eventbrite.ca
Why: A colourful concert Saturday at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre — the first of several in the coming weeks by African group Issamba — will celebrate the world music collective’s roots and rhythms in honour of Black History Month. Issamba (which features members who have played with Carlos Santana, among other acts) has a very busy month ahead, with additional shows at Gabriola Island (Feb. 14), Victoria Event Centre (Feb. 21) and Nanaimo’s Port Theatre (Nov. 22) on its calendar. For more information, visit africafest.ca.
INDIE/CLASSICAL
What: Lori Goldston, V. Vecker and Nothingness
Where: Vinyl Envy, 1717 Quadra St.
When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7)
Tickets: $10 at the door
Why: The collaborative spirit of Seattle cellist Lori Goldston has served her well in recent years; on her resumé is an endless list of projects with orchestras, indie rockers and avant-garde acts. Her most well-known collaboration was with Nirvana in 1994 — she appeared with the band on its final recording, Unplugged in New York — but that is far from the sum of her parts. Goldston’s work on amplified cello in the decades since is staggering in its flexibility. Don’t miss this rare all-ages appearance by Goldston, whose performance will be preceded by V. Vecker of Vancouver and Victoria’s Nothingness.
