Coming UP…
Scroll down to see all the great musical events coming!
Next VFS MONTHLY FIDDLE JAM – Friday, May 1st
Don’t forget – Fiddle Jam this Friday, May 1st
one of our faves, Cohan Lyne will be leading us. It will be a great evening of music & fun!
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm; Doors open at 6:45 pm Intermission snacks are welcome!
Cost: Members no charge; Drop In $5
Where: Wheeley Hall in the Esquimalt United Church Building (500 Admirals Road).
Enter off Lyall Street.
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French Balfolk Music WORKSHOP – for Fiddle, Other Instruments & Rhythm/Chord Players
Sunday, April 12 2:00-4:00
Cost for whole workshop: $35 VFS members; $40 non-members
at the Cordova Bay 55+ Centre, 5238 Cordova Bay Rd, Victoria BC
The VFS is hosting a French Balfolk Fiddle (and other instruments) & Rhythm/Chord Workshop with the band Vinta on Sunday afternoon 2:00-4:00, April 12th. The workshop is open to everyone – VFS members and non-members, and all instruments. There’s still room to register.
Vinta is a fantastic band from Ontario who will be visiting Victoria for the workshop, a House Concert on the 13th, and a Balfolk Dance on April 14th (ticket info below). Check them out here: https://www.vintamusic.com/
The workshop will be made up of three concurrent sessions: two for fiddle and other instruments (Intermediate/Advanced), and one for rhythm/chord players.
Each session will run for 45 minutes, then the two fiddle/other instrument groups will switch for the 2nd 45-minute session. The rhythm/chord players session will run for the full 90 mins. The 3 groups will then come together for a 30-minute session where everyone plays together.
Workshop registration: email vfsinfo@gmail.com (specify either the Fiddle/Other Instruments or Rhythm/Chord sessions and note the instrument you will be playing), along with your payment of either $35 or $40 via etransfer to: victoriafiddlesocietypayments@gmail.com
VINTA House Concert: Host – Ann Schau Please reach to her email for details and to save a seat: aschau@shaw.ca
VINTA Dance Tickets: https://admitone.com/events/victoria/community/music/balfolk-dance-with-vinta/4LK28B
to be held at the ENCORE (previously the Event Center)
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Adult Fiddle Classes with Miriam Sonstenes
Monday nights, April 6 – May 25 (8 classes)
Level: Intermediate, experienced beginners welcome
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: St. Barnabas Church, 1525 Begbie St
Registration: please email miriamsonstenes@gmail.com
Tuition: $240 Please pay via e-transfer to miriamsonstenes@gmail.com before the first class, or bring cheque or cash to the first class
Details: Dear fiddlers! We are continuing our Monday night class. This class is for intermediate level adult players looking to work on their skills in a fun and relaxed setting! We will explore tunes from a variety of styles (old time, celtic, bluegrass, swing, blues), with a strong focus on technique. Tunes will be taught by ear with sheet music provided at the end of class. Hope to see you!
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Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival – Volunteers Needed!
May 2nd – Fiddle Section
The fiddle section of the GVPA Festival is looking for volunteers for the day of the Fiddle Section, which takes place Saturday May 2. Positions include ticket sales, door person, and adjudicator assistant. There are two slots available, at 9am and 1pm. The positions would start 30 minutes before each of these times. The shifts are between 3 and 4 hours long. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Mike Gower at mikegower@gmail.com
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Highland Games – Canadian Fiddling Day – Musicians Wanted!
Saturday, May 16 11:00 am Topaz Park, Victoria
Join the Victoria Fiddle Society once again this year as we bring some lively tunes to the Highland Games – all are welcome! We’re thrilled to have the incredible Cohan Lyne leading the charge.
To register, email VFSinfo@gmail.com with Highland Games in the subject line. Plus, those registered get free entrance to the Games!
And looking ahead – Sign up to play on July 1st!
Come join the VFS on Canada Day, July 1st, at the Metchosin FESTIVUS celebration. This is a non-paying event, we’ll be outside and we’ll be playing a medley of familiar tunes as in past gigs, especially a few good ole Canadian ones. The more the merrier – all instruments welcome!
If you’re interested, email vfsinfo@gmail.com
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Nanaimo Fiddle Society Presents:
Saturday April 11th – Fiddelium “Live in Ladysmith” w/Nanaimo Community Folk Band @ St. Mary’s Church; Fiddelium & Folk Band Ladysmith Tix
Friday April 17 – Spring Family Barn Dance @ Cedar Community Hall Spring Barn Dance Tix
Friday May 8 – Fiddelium – Live at The Port Theatre w/special Guests, Sylvia Humble, Nanaimo Folk Band and Suzuki Strings Port Theatre Show Tickets
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Beacon Ridge Productions presents …
Friday, April 10th – Clover Point Drifters
An evening of bluegrass favourites — traditional, spirited, and beautifully played.
Taking place in the Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre — a true listening room with great acoustics, comfortable seating, and a fully licensed bar and restaurant. Doors open at 6 pm, concerts at 7:30 pm. Come early, enjoy dinner and drinks, and make a night of it.
Tickets are $30 – $35 + GST and are available now at Eventbrite or beaconridgeproductions.com.
These shows will fill, so we encourage you to get your tickets early.
Musically yours, Marie & Adrien Bachand
Beacon Ridge Productions
250-812-7978 beaconridgeproductions.com
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MEDUSA QUARTET – House Concert
Wed April 15th, 2026 @ 17 Cambridge Street, Victoria, BC Doors at 7 pm, show at 7:30 pm.
Get ready to stomp your feet, laugh, cry, and hear sounds you’ve never heard before with Medusa Quartet. Wielding a sound that would turn classical music scholars to stone, these four folk musicians are reimagining the string quartet. By inviting back voices previously regarded as too ugly for “polite society,” Medusa tempts us to redefine what is beautiful.
Join us on Wednesday April 15 at our home for an intimate and dynamic concert!
Feel free to bring finger food to contribute to the refreshment table, BYOB. Lots of parking on Dallas Road. Get your tickets early as seating is limited.
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Other Open Mic or Jams, Live Music Events, etc.
A great resource for Open Mics or Open Jams (one link for each day of the week!!), Live Music Events and more!
Victoria Folk Music Society
https://www.victoriafolkmusic.ca/Sundays-Open-LMEs-Vancouver-Island.html
https://victoriafolkmusic.ca/LiveMusicEvents_Mostly_March-2026.html
https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaFolkMusic
If you’re hosting Live Music Events or performing on Vancouver Island or the adjacent islands, I will happily add your event(s) to our monthly listing! Ron G.
Also, this is a growing list — https://victoriafolkmusic.ca/LiveMusicVenues.html
Islandfolk mailing list
Islandfolk@victoriafolkmusic.ca
http://victoriafolkmusic.ca/mailman/listinfo/islandfolk_victoriafolkmusic.ca
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It’s never too late to renew your membership… Renew right now via an e-Transfer to victoriafiddlesocietypayments@gmail.com or, at the Jam with credit or debit card, cash (exact amount appreciated) or cheque $25 single/$60 family. Not sure if you’re still a member? Send us an email vfsinfo@gmail.com and we’ll check.
VIctoria Fiddle Society and on Facebook Suggestions? Email us at: vfsinfo@gmail.com







