- While not on the scale of a Rogers Arena show, the Music at the Cannery series in Steveston is proving to be a quick sell-out.
The Friday night series kicked off July 3 as the Irish Wakers played at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery’s outdoor stage on the Tank Deck, and it took a scant 10 minutes for the 160 seats to be sold out.
“It’s become very popular as word of mouth has spread over the years,” said organizer Frankie Neilson who runs The Beat Merchant Record Store in the fishing village and started the Cannery series eight years ago as a way of getting more involved in the community, while promoting his business.
“We are restricted to that number by the fire marshal, but we’d love to squeeze in another 30 or so.
“I guess we are the victims of our own success, really.”
Neilson said the appeal of the concert series is as much about the acts booked as the delightful setting which allows visitors to enjoy the outdoors right on the waterfront and its cooling breezes.
“We have some tremendous performers like the Irish Wakers who played last Friday,” Neilson said. “And we end the series, again, with Charlotte Diamond who’s a local legend.”
Neilson added Diamond’s performance last year, held inside the cannery, drew a crowd of around 300 that spanned a number of generations.
“I had one mom come up to me and say she used to listen to Charlotte when she was a little kid, and now she’s bringing her own kids to hear her.”
As for the outdoor spectacle of other performances, Neilson said: “It’s a great way for people to come out and escape the heat in their homes,” Neilson said. “The shows start at 6:30 p.m. when things are starting to cool down, and it’s over by 7:45 p.m.”
With the success to date, Neilson said he has had preliminary discussions with the cannery’s officials to possibly stage more shows at other times in the year.
This Friday’s show features Sarah & Rebecca (Sarah Ann Chisholm, Rebecca Blair, and Michael Burnyeat) who lend their vocals, harp, and fiddle to Celtic music.
Admission to the Music at the Cannery series is by donation.
For a complete listing of performances for the 2015 season, visit gulfofgeorgiacannery.org, click on the experience tab and scroll down to the events section.
