VICTORIA LATIN FESTIVAL
Where: Centennial Square, Victoria Event Centre
When: Friday and Saturday
Admission: Free (nightly events are ticketed )
Why: This wide-ranging showcase of music, food, and culture turns the spotlight on Victoria’s growing Latino community, with ticketed nighttime events on Friday and Saturday at the Victoria Event Centre and free daytime festivities at Centennial Square on Saturday.
The third annual event features everything from folk dancing to comedy, with a lineup that includes Cerbeus, Pablo Cardenas, Fiesta Latina Folklore Dancers, Natan J, Mesclanza, and more.
For the full schedule, visit vvlf.ca.
JOHN REISCHMAN AND THE JAYBIRDS
Where: The Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave.
When: Friday, Aug. 5, 8 p.m.
Admission: Complimentary (with paid admission Butchart Gardens)
Why: It’s an opportune time to take in the music the Butchart Gardens, now that the temperatures have been dialed back a few degrees.
On deck Friday is Vancouver mandolin master John Reischman, who has long been a favourite around here. Fans should expect to also be wowed by his bandmates in the Jaybirds, an assembly of esteemed players including Los Angeles guitarist Patrick Sauber, Chilliwack singer Trisha Gagnon, Nanaimo banjoist Nick Hornbuckle, and Spokane fiddler Greg Spatz.
Music continues at the Brentwood Bay site Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 3, and is free with paid admission to the gardens.
VICTORIA BICYCLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Update: The Victoria Bicycle Music Festival has been postponed until Aug. 14.
Where: Harris Green Park (900–1100 Pandora Ave.) and Central Park (2275 Quadra St.)
When: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1 p.m.
Admission: Free
Why: Local acts Paint the Town Red and Caleb Hart are among the performers at this fifth annual pedal-powered, mobile music festival, which is one to watch this weekend. Harris Green Park and Central Park are the venues on Sunday, with on-demand electricity for this off-grid event provided by stationary generator bikes.
From the Ghost, Finley Rose, STAR Drum Group, Jeremiah Gittens, and Lee Ingram are also on the bill, but many will be on site for a festival-closing performance by Kady Savard and Friends, who will be paying tribute to their late friend, musician Graeme Bousada, who died suddenly this summer.
Details at vicbikemusicfest.ca.
