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One of the highlights of the summer for me is the annual Concerts in the Park series by the City of Nanaimo. 

This year, the series features 13 artists and 11 concerts stretching from this Sunday to the end of August. 

While it’s worth checking out all of the artists who are scheduled to play, I would personally recommend indie-folk artist Elise Boulanger in the Bowen Park Amphitheatre on May 30, traditional Celtic folk act Clanna Morna in Harewood Centennial Park on July 30, multidisciplinary artist Truth — who I interviewed last fall — on August 6 at the Bowen Park Amphitheatre and Americana duo The Moonshine Mollys on August 22 in Maffeo Sutton Park.  

Let’s hope the good weather we’ve been seeing recently shows up for all of the concerts. 

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

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“Finding out what’s happening locally."

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🔎 Watch for 🔍

The City of Nanaimo’s Concerts in the Park series kicks off this weekend with a performance by the Andrew Janusson Trio as part of Family Fishing Day at Colliery Dam Park on Sunday at 1 p.m. In total, there will be 11 free concerts in city parks spread out over the entire summer. Photo of a 2024 performance courtesy of the City of Nanaimo.

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

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m.: Shred Kelly and Babes in Canyon will play The Queen’s. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 

Tuesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.: James Gordon will play a house concert on Milton Street. Tickets cost $25.

Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m.: Reuben and The Dark with The Bullhorn Singers will play at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 

Thursday, May 8, 8 p.m.: Sun and Stars Tour with Matthew Presidente on the piano and folk darling Kele Fleming, showcasing new material, deep cuts and duets at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Friday, May 9, 7 p.m.: Family and Community Barn Dance hosted by the Nanaimo Fiddle Society. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for K-12 students and are free for children under five. 

Friday, May 9, 9 p.m.: Bring your finest dancing shoes for a night of Jump Blues and straight-up Rock n' Roll with Chris Noel and his band at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Friday, May 9, 10 p.m.: Chase The Bear and The Ticks will play at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $15. 

Saturday, May 10, 7 p.m.: Ancient City Teahouse Party, Rockson Road, The Next and Nelly Nissan will play at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, May 10, 7 p.m.: Jazz Affair 2025 will feature The Wellington Jazz Academy, Terell Stafford, John Lee, Nick Peck and Jesse Cahill at the Bowen Park Auditorium. Tickets cost $85. 

Saturday, May 10, 9 p.m.: Golers, Yegg, and Shattered Throne will play a metal show at The Terminal. Tickets cost $15. 

Saturday, May 10, 9 p.m.: Nanaimo's finest blue-collar psych rockers Coal Moon grace The Vault Cafe stage once again, joined by The Alley Flowers. Tickets cost $15.

Saturday, May 10, 9 p.m.: Nanaimo Idol finals with The Femme Fatales at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $20. 

Sunday, May 11, 1 p.m.: Jazz guitarist Andrew Janusson will play a free concert in Colliery Dam Park as part of the City of Nanaimo’s Concerts in the Park series.

🎭 View 🖼️

Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.: The Woman in Black continues its run at The Bailey Studio until Sunday, May 11. Tickets cost $26. 

Friday, May 9th, 7:30 p.m.: See live storytelling on stage with Stories on Friday - On The Road Again at the Unitarian Hall. Tickets cost $10 at the door.

Saturday, May 10, noon.: Step right up for an afternoon of fabulous fun at Cirque du So-Gay, Nanaimo Pride’s pop-up carnival celebration in Diana Krall Plaza.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m.: A community discussion about forced psychiatric detention and treatment with Rob Wipond, author of Your Consent is Not Required and guest Ann Livingston of VANDU/NANDU.

Thursday, May 8, 1 p.m.: Be among the first to experience a powerful new graphic novel featuring stories by Valen Onstine, Alina Pete and Gord Hill and edited by Tchadas Leo at the 2025 Xwemalhkwu Hero Stories Public Book Launch at Shq’apthut – A Gathering Place, Vancouver Island University. 

Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.: The RCMP are holding an open house at the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment. 

Saturday, May 10, 1 p.m.: The Lions Free Swim returns to the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.  

Saturday, May 10, 1 p.m.: Nanaimo United FC will play TSS Rovers FC at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Field. Women’s game at 1 p.m., men’s game at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults or $10 for youth aged 7-18. Children six and under are free. 

Saturday, May 10, 2 p.m.: Join Hwiemtun, Fred Roland and Lekha Michelle Hayes (White Turtle Woman) for a powerful two-hour sound journey at the Dharti Mata Centre. Tickets cost $60. 

Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m.: Learn to Fish at Colliery Dam Park as part of B.C.’s annual Family Fishing Day. Trout release at noon, entertainment by the Andrew Janusson Trio at 1 p.m. and food trucks.

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