There will be no shortage of arts and entertainment events in the Harbour City this month.
Beginning on Thursday (March 5) a brand new month-long festival known as Festival Nanaimo, will kick off its first event at the Port Theatre when musician Chase Padgett takes the stage.
Festival co-organizer Margot Holmes said Festival Nanaimo combines music, arts, dance and other activities into one large scale festival.
“The concept around it was that it is March and there is lots going on in the arts,” Holmes said. “People are looking for things to do in Nanaimo, so why not create a festival that includes a whole pile of events?”
There will be plenty of different musical acts performing during Festival Nanaimo, including live performances by Barney Bentall, the Irish Rovers, John Mann, Jim Byrnes and Joëlle Rabu.
Holmes said festival organizers wanted to make sure that Festival Nanaimo included a wide range of musical acts.
“It is an opportunity to bring in different genres of music,” Holmes said.
In addition to the musical performances, Festival Nanaimo will feature plenty of activities for the whole family, including a dance workshop by Crimson Coast Dance, a historical display by the Nanaimo Archives, a music camp hosted by Headliners Production and Rehearsal studio, various drop-in events at the Nanaimo Museum and PirateFest, an event that encourages families to dress up like pirates and roam around the city looking for treasure.
Holmes said that depending on the success of Festival Nanaimo, the festival will become an annual event in the Harbour City.
“We’re planning to do it next year again,” Holmes said. “That’s our intent but we will see how it goes. It will really depend on the success of the first year.”
For a full schedule of events and times for Festival Nanaimo, as well as ticket information and ticket purchases, please visit www.festivalnanaimo.com.arts@nanaimobulletin.comFollow @npescod on Twitter