An inclusive group of music-loving friends have big plans for this weekend.
A total of eight bands and a local burlesque troupe have been invited to perform at a backyard festival at a Mesachie Lake farm, Saturday, September 17.
“Two years ago we had a party in my buddy’s backyard, and we had a good time,” one of the event’s organizers Jack Gunderson said.
“It’s an attempt to have a local music festival where friends and family can kick it up to live music.”
The now annual music festival has been named Nedfest, but organizers won’t say why.
“We thought we’d name the festival after a mystery man, so to speak. We’re not telling anyone who Ned is,” Gunderson said.
The stage, at 9446 South Shore Road, was set up last weekend, and is ready to host performances by the many groups, which includes the following:
• Cookie Monster is a Shawnigan area classic rock cover band.
• The Joint Chiefs, fronted by festival organizer Jack Gunderson, and fellow local man Paul Jutras on drums.
The classic rock cover band will focus on music from the 1980s.
• Chronic is a southern Vancouver Island group that covers hard rock songs.
• The Bratz are from the Shawnigan area, and cover classic rock songs.
• Smokin’ Rockets is a Cowichan Lake area band that plays original punk and ska music.
• Carmanah is Victoria-based, and are a multi-instrumentalist reggae/twist group.
• Hot Mama Burlesque is a local burlesque troupe fronted by local woman Michelle Gunderson.
• Hill 60 formed for the express purpose of playing at this year’s Nedfest.
The all-local band is made up of Doug Eddy on drums, Jack Gunderson on bass and vocals, Jackie Cummings on saxophone, Steve Brown on guitar and vocals, and Greg Augustine on harmonica.
• Stiffler’s Mom is a Duncan-based hard rock band that do some classic rock tunes, as well as heavy rock.
The music festival will begin at 4 p.m. and last until about 1 a.m.
Busses to and from the site and Lake Cowichan and Duncan are being organized, and food vendors will be on site.
The event is a break even endeavour, put on by a board of four members, of which Gunderson is one.
“We all have a common love of music,” he said.
For information on tickets and the event as a whole, call 250-749-1620 or 250-510-0711.