ArtistDirect News
Salish Coast Music Festival Announces September Lineup
The third annual Salish Coast Music Festival is slated to unfold from September 3 to 7, 2026, coinciding with Labour Day weekend on Vancouver Island. The three‑day event will showcase roots, folk, and world music across three community arts venues: the Parksville Museum, Errington War Memorial Hall, and Knox United Church. A single‑show ticket is $35, while a full‑festival pass is $99; however, the intimate settings allow only 40 passes, creating a highly coveted, limited‑capacity experience.
Thursday night opens the festival with the Andalusian folk‑dance collective Flamenco Tablao at Errington Hall. The group’s energetic flamenco rhythms and choreography set a vibrant tone for the weekend. The final performance arrives on Sunday, a Labour Day matinee at Knox United Church featuring Western Canadian roots powerhouse The Bills. Formed in 1996 as The Bill Hilly Band, the quintet has long been known for its high‑impact acoustic folk shows across North America and Europe.
Friday’s double‑header at the Parksville Museum church brings two distinctive acts. First, The Raven and the Duke—an acoustic duo that blends North American folk with world‑music influences—take the stage. They are followed by String Fever, a group that brings acoustic swing and gypsy‑jazz traditions to the intimate venue. Saturday afternoon hosts the BC Song Project in the museum courtyard. This project celebrates songs drawn from British Columbia and Canadian history, created by local songwriters and performed by Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland, and Kerri Coombs. Later that evening, Claire Coupland’s trio delivers an intimate concert in the museum church.
Sunday afternoon begins with Axé Capoeira Victoria, a dynamic presentation that fuses Brazilian dance and martial arts. The performance continues at the museum before the day concludes with bluegrass and indie‑folk set by the Juno‑nominated Southern Residents at Errington Hall.
Founded in 2024, the Salish Coast Music Festival is dedicated to presenting exceptional Vancouver Island and local talent, fostering community connection, and celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s rich cultural heritage. In a news release issued by the Salish Coast Live Arts Society, festival organizer and BC Folk Song Project creator Kerri Coombs stated, “We’re so excited to partner with the Parksville Museum this year. There’s no better place to immerse a crowd in a musical deep dive into our shared history.”
Tickets and schedules are available for purchase on the festival’s website at sclas.ca. The limited capacity of the venues means that the 40 festival passes will sell quickly, while the $35 single‑show price offers an affordable alternative for visitors who wish to attend specific performances.
The festival’s mission—to showcase Vancouver Island talent and foster community engagement—guides its partnerships with local venues and artists. By supporting regional musicians, the event provides audiences with access to diverse musical traditions that reflect the island’s cultural mosaic.
The lineup blends international and domestic acts, illustrating the festival’s commitment to cross‑genre collaboration. Flamenco Tablao brings Andalusian flamenco to the Pacific Northwest, while The Bills deliver a high‑impact acoustic folk experience rooted in Western Canadian traditions. The Raven and the Duke and String Fever further showcase the festival’s dedication to blending folk with global sounds.
All festival details, including the full schedule and ticket options, can be found on the official website sclas.ca. The site also lists venue locations, accessibility information, and health and safety protocols for the 2026 event.
The BC Song Project remains a highlight of Saturday afternoon, spotlighting songs that trace British Columbia’s musical heritage. Performers Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland, and Kerri Coombs each bring a distinct songwriting perspective, underscoring the festival’s focus on regional storytelling through music.
Thursday night opens the festival with the Andalusian folk‑dance collective Flamenco Tablao at Errington Hall. The group’s energetic flamenco rhythms and choreography set a vibrant tone for the weekend. The final performance arrives on Sunday, a Labour Day matinee at Knox United Church featuring Western Canadian roots powerhouse The Bills. Formed in 1996 as The Bill Hilly Band, the quintet has long been known for its high‑impact acoustic folk shows across North America and Europe.
Friday’s double‑header at the Parksville Museum church brings two distinctive acts. First, The Raven and the Duke—an acoustic duo that blends North American folk with world‑music influences—take the stage. They are followed by String Fever, a group that brings acoustic swing and gypsy‑jazz traditions to the intimate venue. Saturday afternoon hosts the BC Song Project in the museum courtyard. This project celebrates songs drawn from British Columbia and Canadian history, created by local songwriters and performed by Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland, and Kerri Coombs. Later that evening, Claire Coupland’s trio delivers an intimate concert in the museum church.
Sunday afternoon begins with Axé Capoeira Victoria, a dynamic presentation that fuses Brazilian dance and martial arts. The performance continues at the museum before the day concludes with bluegrass and indie‑folk set by the Juno‑nominated Southern Residents at Errington Hall.
Founded in 2024, the Salish Coast Music Festival is dedicated to presenting exceptional Vancouver Island and local talent, fostering community connection, and celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s rich cultural heritage. In a news release issued by the Salish Coast Live Arts Society, festival organizer and BC Folk Song Project creator Kerri Coombs stated, “We’re so excited to partner with the Parksville Museum this year. There’s no better place to immerse a crowd in a musical deep dive into our shared history.”
Tickets and schedules are available for purchase on the festival’s website at sclas.ca. The limited capacity of the venues means that the 40 festival passes will sell quickly, while the $35 single‑show price offers an affordable alternative for visitors who wish to attend specific performances.
The festival’s mission—to showcase Vancouver Island talent and foster community engagement—guides its partnerships with local venues and artists. By supporting regional musicians, the event provides audiences with access to diverse musical traditions that reflect the island’s cultural mosaic.
The lineup blends international and domestic acts, illustrating the festival’s commitment to cross‑genre collaboration. Flamenco Tablao brings Andalusian flamenco to the Pacific Northwest, while The Bills deliver a high‑impact acoustic folk experience rooted in Western Canadian traditions. The Raven and the Duke and String Fever further showcase the festival’s dedication to blending folk with global sounds.
All festival details, including the full schedule and ticket options, can be found on the official website sclas.ca. The site also lists venue locations, accessibility information, and health and safety protocols for the 2026 event.
The BC Song Project remains a highlight of Saturday afternoon, spotlighting songs that trace British Columbia’s musical heritage. Performers Katrina Kadoski, Allen Dobb, Claire Coupland, and Kerri Coombs each bring a distinct songwriting perspective, underscoring the festival’s focus on regional storytelling through music.