The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre springs into the month of March with an eclectic mix of events, and something to thrill all arts enthusiasts. From the music of rock and country legends to tribute shows, a night at the movies, terrific theatre, and the allure of opera certainly keeps this month of entertainment on a high note.
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On March 1 at 7 p.m., the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre kicks off the first month of spring with the ‘King’ and some other rock and roll royalty with the ‘Legends Show’ that will feature tributes to Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams while being accompanied by the Rockin Royals Band.
Multi-award winning Elvis tribute artist Pete Paquette will not only be rocking a sequined jumpsuit but many of Presley’s hits such as ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Suspicious Minds’, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, and more.
Zachary Stevenson, renowned in the valley for his tribute to Buddy Holly, trades in his horn-rimmed glasses for a cowboy hat as he embodies the music of Hank Williams with hits such as ‘Hey Good Lookin’, ‘Your Cheating Heart’, ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’, and many others.
Georgia-born Lars Pluto, whose family was also a gospel and bluegrass group, walks the line with the music of Johnny Cash who was a staple for him growing up as he recalls listening to Cash as a boy while riding in his grandpa’s pickup truck. Pluto says that now paying tribute to the ‘Folsom Blues’ singer feels like he’s reaching across time and shaking hands with his grandpa one more time.
For those craving the sweet effortless voice of Roy Orbison —you got it. Rounding off the ‘Legends Show’ is Jesse Aron of Wisconsin who is recognized as one of U.S.’s top Roy Orbison Tribute performers. Aron takes Orbison fans back in time with his hits such as ‘Crying’, ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Only The Lonely’, ‘Running Scared’, and many more. Tickets are $59.
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On March 4, the Cowichan Music Festival celebrates 75 years as they bring their Highlights concert to the big stage, featuring a curated selection of pieces from young local performers across the various disciplines from music to dance. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $19 or $10 for children.
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On March 8 classic rock devotees can expect to be shook all night long as AC/DC tribute band ‘Rock or Bust’ brings the high voltage sounds of the classic rockers to the CPAC stage at 7:30 p.m. The press release says this is one tribute show not to be missed as ‘Rock or Bust’ deliver the look and the sound of the real deal with hits like ‘Highway to Hell’, ‘Hells Bells’, ‘Back in Black’ and many more as they take attendees on a rocking good time. Tickets are $50.
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International Women’s Day is acknowledged worldwide on March 8. Keep the celebration of women going on March 9 in fine comedic fashion with the Queens of Comedy, featuring the trio of Jane Stanton, Sophia Johnson, and Britney Lysing as they bring humor and wit to celebrate the strength and hilarity of women.
Stanton’s credits include multiple festival appearances across North America like Just for Laughs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, Seattle’s International Comedy Competition and others. Stanton is also an accomplished actor who most recently worked on Disney’s: The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, the ABC mini-series When We Rise as well as A&E’s The Returned.
Johnson is an actor and comedian from New Zealand who has been on Netflix’s Ash vs the Evil Dead, and CW’s Legends of Tomorrow and Nancy Drew. Johnson has performed at three New Zealand International comedy festivals, including her sell out show 50 minutes plus laughs.
After spending 12 years as a tradesman Lyseng longed to lift less and laugh more. She is both a writer and podcaster and has toured nationally as a stand-up comedian. She has been seen on CTV’s Roast Battles Canada, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, and CTV’s The Stand-Up Show with Jon Dore.
Celebrate women everywhere with the Queens of Comedy as they roll out the laughs on stage starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are $35.
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On March 12 at 10 a.m., spend your Tuesday morning with the Metropolitan Opera, broadcasted in HD from New York City as they present the powerful tale of Carmen. Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell makes her Met debut, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to modern times. At the heart of the drama are issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labour structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. Tickets are $36.
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On March 14, classic rock fans won’t want to back down from seeing Clayton Bellamy bring the legendary life of Tom Petty to the CPAC stage at 7:30 p.m.
Bellamy is a Juno award-winner and a four-time CCMA Award winning member of the platinum selling country group the Road Hammers who has always been a super-fan of one of the greatest singer/songwriters in rock and roll history — from his hits with The Heartbreakers and The Travelling Wilburys, to his solo material and collaborations with Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Stevie Nicks. Petty topped the charts with ‘Learning To Fly’, ‘American Girl’ and ‘Don’t Come Around Here’. The press release calls Bellamy a mesmerizing singer, and spectacular guitar player, and states that ‘The Legendary Life Of Tom Petty’ is both a heart-breaking and heart-warming production as well as the ultimate way to experience the music of Tom Petty live. Free fall into this night of epic entertainment for $50.
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On March 15, at 7:30 p.m., the tribute to music legends continues with The Legacy of Lightfoot: Gordon Lightfoot Tribute.
Oliver Swain and Dylan Stone are two of B.C.’s most accomplished and experienced songwriters and performers who chose to surround themselves with a talented cast of supporting musicians shortly after Lightfoot’s death in May 2023 in the organization of a concert to celebrate Lightfoot’s life and music. After an overwhelming response to their first show, The Legacy of Lightfoot was formed and together they have earned numerous accolades including award wins and nominations at the Junos, Western Canadian Music Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards .
The Legacy of Lightfoot combine their decades of experience as performers and songwriters to give a meaningful and engaging performance of his enduring catalogue of music including classics like ‘Cotton Jenny’, ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ and ‘If You Read My Mind’. Enjoy the music of Lightfoot’s masterful career for $40.
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On March 16, at 7 p.m. travel back to the fabulous fifties with Walk Right Back: The Everly Brothers Story.
Hailing from the UK, Walk Right Back strutted back to stages by popular demand in 2023. It tells the story of the most successful musical duo of all time.
“The Everly Brothers were an original and unique act that had a sound like nothing else,” said That’ll Be The Day Producer Trevor Payne in a press release. “Their harmonies were so tight that every group wanted to emulate them. Before that there was a singer, a band and backing vocals. The Everly Brothers entwined all of them and created ‘the harmony group’.”
Walk Right Back will feature hits such as ‘Bye Bye Love’, ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’, ‘Cathy’s Clown’ and many more. The show follows the brothers’ rise to fame from humble country beginnings to superstardom, through their decade-long feud to their glorious reunion which gave them back to each other, and back to the world. If you skip this show, you may just find yourself crying in the rain the following day. Tickets are $64.
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On March 18, spend the day after St. Patricks’s Day with Reel Alternatives and the Days of Happiness. In this musical drama directed by Chloé Robichaud, orchestra conductor Emma (Sophie Desmarais) begins to reevaluate a toxic relationship with her father and agent, after years of acquiescing to his demands. She also navigates a budding relationship and considers a new career opportunity with a prestigious orchestra.
Reel Alternatives is a monthly fundraiser bringing Toronto Film Festival’s critically acclaimed films to the Cowichan Valley. Tickets are $17 and all proceeds go directly to Cowichan Hospice.
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On March 22, at 7:30 p.m., the Cowichan Symphony Society brings their final concert of the season La Nef-Sea Songs and Shanties to the CPAC stage. La Nef makes waves as they return to press the Victoria Symphony into service in a rousing new program of shanties and maritime music. Their infectious style will have you stomping your feet and singing along as they are joined by members of the Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus, and the Victoria Symphony conducted by Giuseppe Pietraroria with special guest Sean Dagher on cittern and vocals. Tickets are $60 or $10 for students.
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On March 23 at 7 p.m., go into The Wilds by Wonderheads. This production has been described as living animation.
When Wendell discovers that his wife Tilda and their beloved tree have vanished from the backyard, he must venture into the nearby forest to bring them home. Confronted with shifting landscapes, unusual creatures, and a mysterious lurking presence, Wendell soon learns that the key to finding Tilda is to first unlock the mystery of The Wilds.
The press releases describes the award-winning and wordless production of The Wilds as charming and profoundly touching, as it delivers both laughter and tears to its audience members with signature masks, whimsical puppetry, and enchanting music. The Wilds runs 60 minutes with no intermission and touches on themes of grief, loss, and love. Recommended for a general audience of ages eight and up, it also contains theatrical fog, haze, and the occasional flashing lights. Tickets are $36, $30 for seniors, $10 for students and children, or $75 for special family pricing.
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On March 24, movie buffs will want to steal away to the CPAC stage for 2 p.m. to watch a matinee of The Great Salish Heist. Filmed in Duncan, on the traditional territory of the Cowichan people, it was written by Darrell Dennis, and produced by Cowichan filmmaker Harold C. Joe and the team behind the documentaries Tzouhalem and A Cedar Is Life.
The Great Salish Heist starts with Steve Joe, a traditional archaeologist for the Moquahat people, who faces a personal and community crisis when sacred objects are removed from their burial sites. Convinced that his myriad misfortunes stem from this desecration, Steve rallies a diverse group from the Rez to reclaim the stolen artifacts from a heavily guarded museum. Steve reluctantly partners with a Russian gangster, Yuri, and his boss Vladimir. As the team plans their daring mission, Steve grapples with the dilemma of whether to give sacred objects to the gangsters.
Starring Graham Greene, Tricia Helfer, and Ashley Callingbull, The Great Salish Heist is a journey of redemption, cultural reclamation, and the lengths one man and his heist team will go to in order to outwit their foes and restore sacred artifacts. Tickets are $16.
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On March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Arts Club Theatre Company brings their production of Made In Italy to the CPAC stage. In this production by Farren Timoteo, theatre lovers will follow the story of Francesco Mantini (Daniel Curalli) a second-generation Italian teen struggling to find his place in Jasper, Alberta. Through the inspiration of pop culture icons Rocky Balboa and John Travolta, he reinvents himself as Frank Martin, a crooner and ladies’ man. Tickets are $55, $50 for seniors, and $35 for students.
To purchase tickets for shows, go to cowichanpac.ca or call the Cowichan Ticket Centre at 250-746-2722, or visit in person in the lobby of the Cowichan Community Centre on James St. in Duncan.