The third annual Highway 101 Music Festival kicks off this Friday night and continues this weekend, July 19 and 20, at Lions Park in Pender Harbour.
Friday’s stage includes rocker Matt Watson, Sh-boom, Playback, Lincoln Foster Band and karaoke finalists.
“This year’s festival is shaping up just wonderful,” said organizer Lorne Jones who, along with Heather Brown, wants to give the Coast a family oriented music event this year.
Saturday’s line up starts with Vancouver’s cover band, the Retrosonics, and the Coast’s own Robotic Horse Mechanical Sun. Remember last year’s hugely popular Beatles look-alike band? This year it’s the Shagadelics with Austin Powers on lead vocals, Dr. Evil and Goldmember on guitar and vocals accompanied by the groovy Felicity Shagwell.
The Midnite Eagles is one of Jones’ favourites in the musical line up.
“Ed Molyski is such a good songwriter,” Jones said, and he will set the scene for an afternoon of country music entertainment.
Steve Kozak, a mainstay of western Canada’s blues scene, follows and then headliners Doug and the Slugs from Vancouver entertain on the big stage.
Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts have been on the music scene since 1978. Three albums and a Juno award later, Bentall switched careers to become a cattle rancher. He’s back. Flesh and Bone is the title of his latest recording.
Sunday opens with gospel music and also showcases musicians Johnny and June who pay tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter. They are followed by an unusual musical combination in Yu Kew Lum. Sunday is also time to remember the work of popular Coast musician Russ Clarke. Jones recalls that Clarke played in the Sunshine Ramblers for years at halls and Legions.
“There are so many artists on the Sunshine Coast who don’t get national recognition,” he said, “but we want to honour them.”
Bring instruments and jam along.
Also on tap is a beer garden, food vendors, a sit-down restaurant, a pancake breakfast and a children’s picnic table with fun things for kids to do.
On-site camping is available and folks are signing up. Another new idea this year comes as a result of audience requests. A shuttle bus from Gibsons with stops in Roberts Creek, Davis Bay, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and Madeira Park will run each day and has room for 64 passengers who can leave their homes in the morning and return on the bus at the end of the last show.
“It’s a safety thing so there’s no drinking and driving,” Jones said.
Tickets are available at Gramma’s Beer & Wine Store in Gibsons, Fresh from the Coast in Sechelt and Java Docks in Madeira Park.
See www.hwy101musicfestival.com for the set schedule, ticket prices and info about catching a ride on the bus.
