The Martlet

Some students’ summers can make anyone jealous, with plans of going to the family cabin, taking road trips across the country, or backpacking around Europe.

However, UVic students still on the island for the summer can ditch the envy and celebrate a Vancouver Island staycation. If music and entertainment tickle your fancy, the Island has an amalgam of music festivals this summer with acts that could make any globetrotter want to stay local.

TD Victoria International JazzFest: June 25 – July 4 Kicking off the festival season is the 26th annual TD Victoria International JazzFest. Running from June 25 until July 4, the festival is hosted in many Victoria venues, including the Royal Theatre, Centennial Square and the Victoria Events Centre, as well as Element and Sugar nightclubs.

Founder and artistic director Darryl Mar takes great pride in the festival. “We are considered one of the major festivals across Canada. There’s about 10 of them, but we are one of the smaller of the biggest jazz festivals,” he said. With more than 350 musicians and 90 performances on just 13 stages, the festival is full of opportunity to experience jazz from around the world. Headlining this year’s festival is Grammy-winning guitarist George Benson, the John Pizzarelli Quartet and the Juno-winning Bill Frisell Trio. JazzFest will also feature Nikki Yanofsky for the second time, fresh from her Vancouver 2010 Olympic performances and recording her debut studio album.

JazzFest also offers opportunities for musicians to hone their craft.

“One of the things that’s significant is that there are four workshops available to the public for vocal jazz, the saxophone, the bass and the guitar. They are given absolutely for free. All you have to do is register for them,” said Mar. For more information on JazzFest, a free program guide is available at local TD banks and Serious Coffee locations.

Victoria’s 11th annual Ska Fest: July 7-10 Victoria’s 11th annual Ska Fest runs July 7 -10, with most shows taking place in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the grand finale at the Victoria Curling Club. The festival sprung from a one-day festival event created in 1999 as a grad project by UVic alumnus and festival founder Dane Roberts. Roberts hoped to “express the breadth and depth of the ska genre,” said Scott Laming, current president of the board of directors for the B.C. Ska Society.

Ska music came about in the 1940s, when musicians in the Carribbean would hear jazz music over radio broadcasts coming from the southern states. They then started to mix the jazz elements with the local rhythms and music styles. From there, the ska genre evolved.

“If you don’t know if you like ska, then come down on July 7 with a free show to kick off the festival,” said Laming, “Each show we try to tailor to different people. Each night is something different to check out. The best value for your money is the finale because there’s a little something for everybody.” Tickets for the Ska Festival are available at Lyle’s Place, Ditch Records, the Reef and the Strathcona Hotel, with two free shows at the Inner Harbour on the evening of July 7 and afternoon of July 10. For more information, visit www.victoriaskafest.ca.

Big Day Up and Big Time Out: – July 17-18, Aug. 14-15 Cumberland Village Works is hosting two weekend festivals this summer. So, if miniature road trips are on the list of summer to-do’s, Big Day Up and Big Time Out are the festivals to visit this summer.

Vig Schulman, artistic director of Cumberland Village Works, is excited for the Big Day Up, especially its location.

“We’ve been wanting to do something with [Mt. Washington] for years. Together, we decided to build a show around The Cat Empire coming to Canada. It made sense to do it up there and to explore the stunning venue.”

The first ever Big Day Up out door festival is on July 17 and 18. It features a main stage set up just outside of Mt. Washington’s bunny hill and Fat Teddy’s Bar and Grill.

Alongside Australia’s The Cat Empire, who Schulman describes as “ridiculously amazing,” the festival also features Canadians Daniel Wesley, Nine Mile and Sweatshop Union. Tickets are currently available online at thebigdayup.com for $40, with prices going up to $55 on May 16.

Related to the Big Day Up is another Comox Valley festival, the Big Time Out. Located in Cumberland Village Park, the two-day festival on Aug. 14 and 15 is heading into its sixth year and serves as the inspiration for the Big Day Up. This summer, K’naan, the artist behind the hit “Wavin’ Flag,” will headline once again. DJ Champion and Montreal-based Winter Gloves are also performing.

“Part of the attraction of this festival is the venue,” says Schulman. “It’s away. People can remove themselves from the city and hang out and just camp. And when you factor in all the travel expenses, it’s just a nice weekend with good music where you do not necessarily spend a fortune.”

Tickets are available online at thebigtimeout.com starting June 1, at $50 for a day pass or $90 for a weekend pass.

Soundwave and Victoria Electronic Music Festival:
For fans of electronic music, two festivals to keep tabs on are Ucluelet’s Soundwave Music Festival and the Victoria Electronic Music Festival (VEMF). Soundwave is set to take place July 16 through 18 at Mussel Beach Wilderness Campground, while. VEMF is set for August long weekend (July 31 through Aug. 2) in Victoria’s Centennial Square. For more information, check out soundwavemusicfestival.ca and vemf.ca.