The west goes east in November as the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre presents East Coast Week starting Nov. 13 and concluding Nov. 19.
The Barra MacNeils open the two-show special with their East Coast Christmas show on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the theatre.
They’re kicking off their cross-Canada tour on the west coast this year, bringing one of their most beloved concerts to Duncan.
Kyle (vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin), Lucy (vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, stepdancing), Sheumas (keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bouzouki, vocals), Stewart (vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki, guitar, stepdancing), Boyd (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, stepdancing) and Jamie Gatti (bass) all join to produce magic.
A Barra MacNeils Christmas concert is indeed special, featuring traditional songs and stories. Their show has toured North America for years to sold-out houses.
Fans can look forward to classic favourites including Oh Holy Night, Ave Maria, A Christmas in Killarney and Auld Lang Syne as well as some comedy, seasonal stories, music, singing, dance and memories that will extend beyond the season and last a lifetime.
The second event in East Coast Week features Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys in an exhilarating live show on Thursday, Nov. 19 starting at 7:30 p.m.
MacKeeman and his famous fiddle plus the Rhythm Boys deliver what can only be described as an entertainment spectacle.
Hailing from Prince Edward Island, the gang are renowned for their high-energy live show, jaw-dropping stagecraft and showmanship.
Although they are a roots group, music lovers can also hear influences of bluegrass, western swing, Celtic and even Scottish country dance music.
MacKeeman (fiddle, cello, acoustic guitar, feet percussion, vocals), Peter Cann (guitars, banjo, vocals), Thomas Webb (guitars, bass, banjo, steel guitar, vocals) and Mark Geddes (bass, percussion, mandolin, piano) weave together a refreshing mix of music you’ll love to hear.
Tickets to the Barra MacNeils are $45 per person while tickets for MacKeeman are $28 for adults and $25 for seniors and students.
There’s a special offer on ticket prices for the MacKeeman show, too: 20 per cent off adult tickets to Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys with the purchase of Barra MacNeils tickets.
Tickets are available in person at the Cowichan Ticket Centre or by phone 250-748-7529 or online at cowichanpac.ca.