Coming UP…

Scroll down to see all the great musical events coming!

SEPTEMBER FIDDLE JAM

Date: Friday, September 4^th, 2026

*NEW LOCATION:* Braefoot Park Centre, 1359 McKenzie Ave

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm; Doors open at 6:45
We will have a short break, any concession snacks are welcome

Cost: Members no charge; Drop In $5  (your membership is due now!)
Check post in calendar for set list and other info.

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VFS playing at the Saanich Fair!

The VFS will be playing at the Saanich Fair on
Monday, Sept 7^th from 11:00-12:30.
Drop by, have a visit and enjoy some familiar tunes!
Hope to see you there!

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A Message from Daniel Lapp – Register Now!

1) Old-Time Danceband (ages 6 – 10)

2) Fiddleharmonic Orchestra (ages 10 – 13)

3) BC Fiddle Orchestra (ages 12 – 19)

4) Folkestra (adults, all instruments, all levels)

Registration at: https://vcm.bc.ca/

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Group Fiddle Ensemble Lessons – Olivia Barrett

Join me for adult intermediate-ish group fiddle ensemble lessons to learn lively Irish, Scottish, and Canadian (maybe even Breton and Scandinavian!) traditional tunes, tune sets, and arrangements in a fun and non-competitive atmosphere! Tunes will be taught primarily by ear (written music also supplied), and I’ll share tips for improving your tone and technique as well. The group usually learns a new tune section (e.g. an A section or a B section) per class.

Lessons will be on Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM beginning Tuesday September 8, 2026 and running for 8 sessions. $320.  Location will be near Uptown (address provided upon registration). Send an email to Olivia at oliviabarrettfiddle [at] gmail.com for additional information.  www.oliviabarrettmusic.com

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Weekly Kitchen Party Jam

I’m gathering interested musicians for a weekly Kitchen Party Jam at Cordova Bay 55+ Centre. The jam will likely be on Saturday during the day, but the first step is to get names of interested people. Membership in Cordova Bay 55+ will be required…$40/year…but I don’t anticipate any other charges.

Interested? Email me at: Kathy@kavee.net

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Adult Fiddle Classes with Miriam Sonstenes

Monday nights, Sept 14 – Nov 23 (10 classes, no class Oct 12)
Level: Intermediate
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: St. Barnabas Church, 1525 Begbie St

Registration: please email miriamsonstenes@gmail.com

Tuition: $350 Please pay via e-transfer to miriamsonstenes@gmail.com before the first class, (cheque or cash at the first class works too)
Details: Dear fiddlers! I am offering another set of Monday night classes. 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. Full class summary e-mails and recordings will be sent out weekly. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to e-mail me.  

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Victoria Contra Dances!

Join us for a great evening of music and dancing, no experience needed! Most dances start with a short beginner lesson.
Calling by Ben Cracknell, Music by Odd Hack.

Next Dance is on Saturday, September 12th!
7 pm to 10 pm at  Saanich Silver Threads
286 Hampton Rd, Victoria.
Cost $20
https://victoriacontradance.com

Autumn Allemande – Contra Dance Weekend

Coming this Fall! November 20 – 22, 2026
Edelweiss Centre/James Bay Community School, Victoria

Vancouver Island’s One & Only Contra Dance Weekend – Music, song and dance workshops for all levels! Mark your calendar….

See Poster for more information. www.contradance.com

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West Coast Barn Dances!

at the Victoria Edelweiss Club, 108 Niagara St, James Bay
Doors: 6:00 pm Dancing starts: 6:30 pm

• September 18
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

Cost: Suggested donation $10 pp (VEC members) and $12 pp (non-members)

West Coast Barn Dances are a group of young musicians deeply rooted in Canada’s fiddle music tradition. These monthly dances, similar to contradances, are in the tradition of old-time barn dances. With live fiddle music and tasty homemade snacks, they aim to celebrate and share the joy of fiddle music, dancing, and community. 

All ages welcome, no experience necessary, all steps will be taught!

You can follow our Instagram @westcoastbarndances or email us at westcoastbarndances@gmail.com

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Beacon Ridge Productions

Our Fall Concert Series is one of our most diverse yet, bringing together exceptional artists from around the world for an unforgettable season of live music in Oak Bay.

Venue: Christian Science Church, 1205 Pandora Avenue

Saturday, September 26th, 2026
The New Acoustic Masters
Trent Freeman, Allison de Groot, Quinn Bachand & Clayton Linthicum
Four acclaimed musicians unite for an extraordinary night of acoustic music, blazing strings, rich tradition and breathtaking artistry.  This will be a one-of-a-kind evening of Canadian traditional music, led by some of the most exciting players in acoustic music today.

Saturday, October 10th, 2026
Cassie and Maggie
Award Winning, Juno-Nominated sisters combine dazzling fiddle, soaring harmonies, step-dancing and irresistible East Coast charm.

Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Chet Baker Tribute by The Daniel Lapp Quartet
Experience the unforgettable music of jazz icon Chet Baker as the Daniel Lapp Quartet brings his iconic songs to life with elegance and artistry. 

Saturday, November 14th, 2026
Cecilia
Featuring Louis Schryer, Erin Leahy and Timi Turmel, Cecilia blends virtuosic musicianship with infectious energy in a fresh celebration of Canadian & Quebecois folk traditions. 

Venue: Upstairs Lounge – Oak Bay Rec Centre, 1975 Bee Street

Saturday, September 19th, 2026
Tony McManus
Tony McManus is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s finest Celtic Guitarists, celebrated for his breathtaking virtuosity, originality, and expressive musicianship.

Friday, September 25th, 2026
Maureen Washington & Friends
Maureen Washington exudes the impish irreverence of Jann Arden and the vocal agility of Holly Cole.

Friday, October 2nd , 2026
The Sutcliffes Dance Party!
A Beatles Band with a slightly different take. Their focus is on the Beatles from Hamburg, to the Cavern, and the BBC Studios – the songs they wrote, the songs they covered and the songs they loved.

Friday, October 9th, 2026
Fiona Bevan & Adam Beattie
Multi-Platinum Canadian-British songwriter Fiona Bevan and acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Adam Beattie blend cinematic folk, rich harmonies & masterful songwriting into an intimate soulful acoustic performances.

Saturday. October 24th, 2026
Lloyd Spiegel
Australian blues guitar master Lloyd Spiegel is celebrated worldwide for his extraordinary musicianship, soulful voice and captivating live performances. 

Saturday, October 31st, 2026
Groove Kitchen – Hallowe’en Dance Party!
This hard-driving party-hardy quintet is shaking up the clubs with its red-hot mix of funk, Latin, reggae and soul for dancing! Groove Kitchen is admired for its tight, rhythmically in-the-pocket sound.

Saturday, November 21st, 2026
The Lonesome Ace Stringband featuring Showman & Coole
With roots in old-time, bluegrass and folk traditionals, the Lonesome Ace Stringband’s Showman & Coole offer an energetic and deeply authentic musical experience.

Friday, November 27th, 2026
The Soul Shakers Dance Party
Featuring powerhouse vocalist Joyce “The Voice” Allensen, The Soul Shakers deliver an electrifying mix of soul, R&B, Motown and classic dance hits.

Saturday, November 28th, 2026
Don Ross & Julie Malia
Acoustic guitar legend Don Ross joins acclaimed singer-songwriter Julie Malia for an unforgettable evening of dazzling musicianship, heartfelt songs and extraordinary musical chemistry.

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Nanaimo Fiddle Society

If you’re up Nanaimo way, check out the Family Barn Dances.

Fri Sept 11 Family Dance at Bowen Auditorium 
– Join us in kicking off the season! –
6:30 – 7:30 pm – Dances for everyone (age 3 and up)
7:30 – 9:00 pm – Contra dances
Adults = $20 K-12 = $10
Children 3 and Under = FREE! – please get tickets for the wee one’s so we can do an accurate head count.

More Family Barn Dance Dates for the 2026-27 Season:
Fri Oct 9 – Cedar Community Hall – 6:30 to 9 pm
Fri Nov 20 – Royal Canadian Legion Hall Mt. Benson 256 Branch – 7 to 9 pm
Fri Feb 5 – Cedar Community Hall – 6:30 to 9 pm
Fri Apr 16 – Bowen Park Auditorium – 6:30 to 9 pm

Join FIDDELIUM on August 22 at 10 am Maffeo Sutton Park for the Nanaimo Lions Club 80th Anniversary celebration!

The UNFAITHFUL SERVANTS, an amazing quartet with a modern take on folk, bluegrass, and Americana – and featuring ex-Fiddelium member, Quin with one “N” – are playing several upcoming shows on Vancouver Island:

• September 23 – Comox, BC @ 40 Knots Winery
• September 25 – Salt Spring Island @ ArtSpring
• September 26 – Sidney, BC @ Mary Winspear Centre

More Info – www.nanaimofiddlesociety.org

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Concerts are all ages with the focus is on a respectful listening environment for the performances. Concerts take place at a private residence in the Rockland/Gonzales neighbourhood of Victoria. Address and further show details will be emailed to ticket holders the week before the concert date.

Tickets: $30 available exclusively via gigpit.ca

If you have further questions regarding tickets or concert details, please contact Victoria at the.victoria.houseconcerts@gmail.com

Pillow Fite
Sunday, September 20th Living room Concert 
Doors 6:30 pm Show 7-9 pm Tickets 30$

What if Suzanne Vega fronted The Strokes, but they were gay and poor? That musical act would be called Pillow Fite. Art Ross (they/them/Pisces) and Aaron Green (he/him/Virgo) offer their respective gifts of reflection and melody for moody, melodic indie-rock aimed straight at the heart.
With the release of their debut new full-length album ‘Hard Feelings, Soft Promises,’ paired with extensive touring, as an acoustic duo and a full pop band, in Canada, the UK, Europe and the US, the duo began entering the CBC Top 20, as well as winning Best Pop Recording of 2025 at NSMW.
Pillow Fite’s sound is the result of a gently but perpetually evolving creative partnership, a mash-up of genres that arrives at something as singular as it is queer. The band is currently finishing production on their next album, due out fall 2026.

O Stella
Sunday, September 27th Garden Studio Stage 
Doors 2:30 pm Show 3-5 pm Tickets 30$

With sell-out shows in Ireland and Canada, and performing for Oscar-winner Glen Hansard, O Stella’s alt-rock Irish fusion is captivating audiences everywhere. This is rock and roll with traditional Irish fiddle and bodhrán (sometimes wrapped in thick distortion) and catchy pop melodies that shimmer with rebellion. 0Stella sings in both English and Irish and regularly engages the crowd to sing along in both languages – whether performing solo or with her 5-piece band. 0Stella’s unique sound deftly combines Canadian rock with Irish storytelling and folk music and draws comparisons to Paramore, Garbage, Lana Del Rey and The Frames.

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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!  

https://www.victoriafolkmusic.ca/Sundays-Open-LMEs-Vancouver-Island.html

https://victoriafolkmusic.ca/LiveMusicEvents_Mostly_May-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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The VFS Board would like to remind everyone to please take care when setting your instruments down.  Anyone attending a Jam is responsible for their instruments and we advise that you should have insurance. 

VIctoria Fiddle Society and on Facebook  Suggestions? Email us at:  vfsinfo@gmail.com