The second weekend in July is the best time in the Comox Valley. Amazing musicians, and fans alike come from afar and descend on this little town nestled at the base of the Beaufort Mountains.
I have been attending MusicFest for the last seven years. It has always been an amazing way to kick off Summer vacation with such acts as Bo Diddley, Mavis Staples, Joan Osbourne, Roberta Flack, Nancy Griffith, Ladysmith Black Mambazo to name a few. Six stages scattered throughout the Comox Valley Exabition Grounds offer a plethora of musical styles, which in my view is any music lover's dream come true.
This year's festival was truly memorable. My own music students were one of the act's performing. Faranuka, which is a student marimba band that originated in my music room wanted to perform at this year's festival, and artistic director Doug Cox agreed. Playing a 1 hour set on the mainstage at Vancouver Island MusicFest will go down as one of their most favourite memories of elementary school.
I know it is one of mine.
