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VIDEO: Genevieve Charbonneau’s new album, Kevin’s Bacon making a Lake Cowichan debut, and more

Ever thought about ‘cultural enrichment travel’ and ‘Cowichan’ in the same thought? Maybe, it’s time

I’ve just received a note from the Cowichan Folk Guild’s Kelly Nakatsuka that he’s leaving his post as artistic director for the group, and expects Andrew Brown from Barely North Entertainment to take over in his place.

You’ll be missed, Kelly. Happy trails!

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Speaking of Barely North Entertainment, they’re hosting Genevieve Charbonneau in the Chapel at Providence Farm (1843 Tzouhalem Rd.) on Saturday, March 2, for an album release concert.

An award-winning Island singer-songwriter, Charbonneau is showcasing her latest collection of heartfelt songs in an Island tour that started March 1.

Her album, entitled Heart is a Tower is the first album recorded at SLS Studios, the new state-of-the-art recording studio at Shawnigan Lake School, run by Grammy-winning engineer Steve Smith out of Seattle.

Charbonneau, who won the 2017 BC songwriting competition, spent months in the studio fine-tuning the love and family-themed songs with producer and fellow songwriter Jack Connolly. The result is a stunning album with firm folk roots but high production values.

Joining her will be her band, The Wild Sundays, Jack Connolly, and Brian Horwitz. Wow! Some lineup. This event is part of the Cowichan Valley International Women’s Day celebrations.

Doors open at 7 with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. I’d get there early if I were you. This is a cosy venue, and if you’re fussy about where you sit, you’d better fuss about beating the crowd, too.

Tickets are $20 and are available at Duncan Music and online at https://barelynorth.tickit.ca/events/5854- genevieve-charbonneau-album-release-concert

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Sliding in from the west is this note, entitled, “Kevin’s Bacon Set to Storm the Riverside stage March 23.”

The Riverside Inn, out at Lake Cowichan, has been offering a lot of good music lately and Nanaimo-based rock trio Kevin’s Bacon are bringing their upbeat, danceable to the pub on Saturday, March 23 from 7-11 p.m.

I’m told the group performs a mix of classic and modern rock cover songs from the likes of The Beatles, The Clash, Weezer, The Black Keys, CCR and many more.

This is their first performance in Lake Cowichan, although they have played extensively throughout central Vancouver Island over their 5+ years as a band.

“I think it’s huge for us to branch out into different communities here on our Island,” says bassist and group spokesman Nathan Stafford. “We play regularly in Nanaimo, but we’re excited to perform for the fine folks of Lake Cowichan. We’ve heard you’re a fun bunch!”

Listeners can expect three lively sets of cover songs and maybe an original or two. For more information, check out kevinsbacon.ca or the group’s Instagram page @kevinsbaconband

In case you don’t know Lake Cowichan, the Riverside is located at the corner of North and South Shore Roads, just east of the bridge in the centre of town. You can’t miss it.

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Among the emails I got this week was one pushing the idea of Cultural Enrichment Travel. (I have to use capital letters because they thought this was Really Important).

Well, you know, so do I.

Hearing someone say that “while there is a market for the poolside, sunny vacation, more and more people are planning their next vacation based upon the cultural offerings of the their desired location” is really exciting, particularly if you live in the Cowichan Valley.

We have a treasure chest of arts and culture to offer visitors and so far, it is not particularly packaged in precisely that way. Foodie tours, wine and vineyard tours, yes, but there’s so much more cultural enrichment here.

Hopefully soon we’ll see our museums, artists, and performers working more closely together with our food and wine folks to spread the good word about Cowichan culture.