Vancouver Island Exhibition will be rockin’ out with classic Canadian band Prism during the annual entertainment showcase.
The band formed in the early ’70s with members from Vancouver’s burgeoning music scene.
Their first album spawned chart toppers, such as Spaceship Superstar and Take Me to the Kaptin, which are still played today on rock radio.
They headline the fair Saturday night as part of a weekend-long lineup that includes The Odds, Ridley Bent and Aaron Lines.
Over its long history, Prism has seen line up changes and collaborations with emerging artists like Bryan Adams who went on to high-profile music careers.
Al Harlow took over fronting the band in 2003 and the group put out its latest album in 2008. The group continues to tour across North America.
Prism takes the stage at the Vancouver Island Exhibition grounds at Beban Park at 9 p.m.
Entertainment begins Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. with Bobs and Lolo, the Nanaimo-born children’s entertainers with a show on the Treehouse Network. Robyn and Ryleigh take the stage at 11:30 p.m. for an acoustic set with their West Coast country sound.
At 12:45 p.m. is Sister Girl, a country-roots band focused on musicianship and sweet harmony. Christian Bergen, a singer-songwriter from Victoria, performs at 2 p.m.
Terry Brennan uses his turbulent past as inspiration for the songs he sings at 3:30 p.m., before he makes way for Robyn and Ryleigh’s return with their full band at 5:30 p.m.
Ridley Bent’s high-energy performances with songs that let each member of the band wail away are tempered with softer moments on songs that speak of love and loneliness. He performs at 7:30 p.m., followed by Aaron Lines at 9 p.m.
For more than 10 years, Lines was the most played Canadian artist on country radio, with songs like Love Changes Everything, Waiting on the Wonderful and Cheaper to Keep Her.
Bobs and Lolo open the entertainment again Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by Atlas Collapses at 11:15 a.m.
The trio has known each other since elementary school in Ladysmith but only formed the band three years ago.
Popular Nanaimo band Iris takes the stage at 12:30 p.m., followed by father-son rock trio Braeden Marshall at 1:45 p.m.
Former CFOX Seeds winners The Left perform their brand of pop music at 3 p.m., followed by Ladysmith’s Ryan McMahon at 5 p.m.
The Odds, a group which spawned the hits Eat My Brain and Heterosexual Man, reformed a few years ago and now play at the VIEX at 7 p.m., leading up to Prism at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, Juno Award-nominated children’s group The Kerplunks, from Gabriola Island, perform at 10 a.m. The Songbird contest finals open at 11:15 a.m.
Sunday wraps up with Johnny Cash tribute band Big River at 1:30 p.m.
The community festival stage features magic, dance groups and local singers.
Entertainment is included in the price of gate admission.
For more information, please visit www.viex.ca.