A pair of veteran entertainers will mark their rookie performances at the 2017 Steveston Salmon Festival this Saturday.
And one popular, local band will make a long-awaited return.
The festival’s marquee performance on the main stage will be Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues, who will be introduced by popular emcee Doktor Strange — both of whom have entertained crowds at the River Rock Casino Resort, but will mark their first performance in the village at this, the 72nd installment of the festival.
“I’ve been to Steveston and eaten the salmon. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun for the Salmon Festival,” remarked Lavin, who will lead his Juno-award winning band to the main stage at 5:30 p.m.
Powder Blues is known as one of the best blues bands in Canada, having been a well-known fixture on the country’s music scene for the past 40 years.
The band considers itself somewhat of an underdog on the scene, having initially been shrugged off by record labels in their early days. But persistence paid off and the Vancouver-based band has headlined a number of significant festivals over the years, en route to selling over one million records worldwide.
Lavin, who plays the guitar, said he’s excited for the outdoor performance on Moncton Street, where tens of thousands will stream in and out of the area.
Powder Blues is expected to play a mix of hits (Boppin with the Blues, Doin It Right and Hear That Guitar Ring) and hidden gems.
“We like to play a mix of our radio hits and things people haven’t heard. We certainly try to get to the tunes people aren’t expecting,” said Lavin, of his “rocking blues” style that should get the crowd’s heads bobbing and feet tapping.
Powder Blues will be preceded on the main stage by Steveston-based cover band Urban Myth (1 p.m.), alternative rock band Line49 (2:30 p.m.) and rock band Thor (4 p.m.).
Whiteside elementary pals Brad Kilburn (bass), Jimmy Coletsis (guitar), Johnny Fatiaki (guitar), Korianna Tylor (keyboards) and Steve Braithwaite (vocals) are to reunite, as Thor returns to the festival after initially playing there as teenagers 41 years ago.
Concluding the evening will be a DJ from Hot Wax Mobile Music.
The emcee for the main stage will be the always-bizarre Steve Kaplan, otherwise known as Doktor Strange, who will see to it that festival-goers are up to speed on all the information. And, special magic tricks between acts could be in the cards, time permitting.
“I’m expecting a long shift,” said the Doktor, who is a frequent emcee at the casino.
“It’ll be good to party with Powder Blues. I’m excited about them getting in,” added the Doktor, who raised his children in Richmond and grew up in the township with his father, throughout the 1970s.
“I remember the days we’d grab a seat on the curb and watch the parade go by. I’m excited to return and take in the atmosphere. There’s definitely a lot of family memories of the Salmon Fest,” said the Doktor.
As tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the festival, the Doktor will be roping in as many passersby to take in the family-friendly entertainment, which will be complemented by an adjacent beer garden.
“You’ve got a fluid audience. People will want to see one act and go onto another thing. There’s a lot of info to convey throughout the whole day. When it’s time to engage the audience, I will be there.”
