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The Nanaimo Fringe Festival is in full swing and for the first time, the festival has an immersive show that is set and performed at a local coffee shop, titled Percolate.

Percolate features two plays that take place simultaneously at the coffee shop, making audience members feel as if they’re listening in on conversations. I dropped by a rehearsal on Monday at White Rabbit Coffee Co. and was blown away by both the story and the acting in one of the plays — A Coffee for You. 

This is not a theatre review newsletter but I felt like there was something familiar about the story that resonated with me as the two characters in it struggled with cultural differences and biases to communicate with each other.

It’s one of at least two plays at the Nanaimo Fringe Festival written by or featuring trans and non-binary characters and performers this year, the other being Theoxenia, which was the recipient of this year’s scholarship for trans artists. 

You can read more about those two plays below and if you are lucky, might still be able to snag a ticket for a performance later this week.

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists

Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging.

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“All Nanaimo news at a glance. This town is smokin'.”

—  Doggo Mom, from our newsletter survey

🔎 Watch for 🔍

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will soar above Nanaimo’s waterfront with an evening performance on Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. followed by a daytime display on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 4:15 p.m. The city and port authority will be closing the walking and fishing pier at Maffeo Sutton Park as well as surrounding harbour waters and airspace during the show. Spectators are encouraged to use the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and 1 Port Dr. for accessible viewing areas and consider taking transit downtown.

Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Tuesday, August 12, 6 p.m.: The Gosia Hagen Trio will be singing songs from the Sinatra era at McGregor Park as part of the City of Nanaimo’s free Concerts in the Park series. 

Thursday, August 14, 8 p.m.: Alex Maher, Hot Fellahz and Shel and will play Summer Jam 2 at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $20. 

Friday, August 15, noon: B’boon will perform at Heritage Mews as part of the Old City Quarter’s Sounds of Summer concert series. 

Friday, August 15, 7 p.m.: In The Flesh, Disdain, Dolly's Desire and Morse Code Literature will play an all-ages punk and metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $10. 

Friday, August 15, 9 p.m.: Gabriola's number one cosmic dance party band The Infinite Atom will play a psychedelic disco funk explosion at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15 to $20, sliding scale. 

Saturday, August 16, 7 p.m.: Butcher, Frosthymn, Empty Chalice and Pillagery will play an all-ages black and death metal show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, August 16, 10 p.m.: Last Year's Wishes, Sweet Delirium and Fish will play a Shoegaze show at The Queen's. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. 

🎭 View 🖼️

August 7 to August 17: The Nanaimo Fringe Festival will feature actors and playwrights performing a plethora of plays. The Fringe Festival’s schedule is available on The Port Theatre’s website, or you can download an at-a-glance version. Tickets cost $16 for an individual show, or a five-show pass can be purchased for $72. 

Thursday, August 14, 5 p.m.: Join Germaine Koh in a playful art installation, League Nanaimo,  on Thursday nights during the Commercial Street Night Market as she turns the Nanaimo Art Gallery into an experimental arena where visitors are welcome to jump, throw, dance, run and touch — all actions that are usually frowned upon in art museums.

Friday, August 15, noon: Register yourself or bring a group for a lunchtime tour of the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s current exhibition, League Nanaimo. Tickets cost $5 or are free for members.

Friday, August 15, 6:30 p.m.:  Set in the Okanagan Valley, Incandescence explores the growing intensity of wildfires through powerful firsthand accounts from Indigenous Elders, first responders and local evacuees. At its heart, Incandescence reveals a transformative vision of fire — not just as destruction, but as an ancient force of renewal, rooted in Indigenous knowledge and stewardship. Part of the Unsettling the Lens film series at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Admission is free. 

Saturday, August 16, 10 a.m.: Join Germaine Koh for League Nanaimo at Deverill Square Gyro 2 Park! The theme is BYOBall! Events are free and suitable for all ages and abilities. Drop in anytime from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

Sunday, August 17, 1 p.m.: Inspired by the exhibition League Nanaimo, create a mini basketball court out of cardboard at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Free for art gallery members, $5 for non-members.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Thursday, August 14, 10 a.m.:  Join Nanaimo Science to learn about fresh water and explore hands-on activities that the whole family can enjoy at Nanaimo River Regional Park.

Thursday, August 14, 5 p.m.: The Commercial Street Night Market features artisan vendors, food trucks, musical performances, a vibrant kids’ zone and a new inclusive zone creating a festive family atmosphere.

Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17: The Snuneymuxw Coastal Cup soccer tournament will be held at the Merle Logan Turf Fields in Beban Park. 

Saturday, August 16. 10 a.m.: The Fourth Annual Hub City Soapbox Derby will race down Wall Street to raise money for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.

Saturday, August 16. 11 a.m.: The Nanaimo Historical Society will unveil a plaque honouring the victims of the 1951 plane crash on Mount Benson that killed 20 passengers and three crew at the Bowen Road Cemetery where 12 victims are buried in a mass grave. 

Sunday, August 17, 9:30 a.m.: Nature Nanaimo will give a free tour of Buttertubs Marsh. 

Sunday, August 17, 10 a.m: Kids can start the school year right with a free haircut, a backpack and school supplies at the annual Fresh Start Back to School event by Barber Dave in Diana Krall Plaza. There will be food trucks in the plaza and colouring activities in the Harbourfront library for kids. 

Sunday, August 17, noon: The Cavallotti Picnic and Bocce Tournament will take place at Cavallotti Lodge for members and friends.

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