The Hive Fitness Studio in Chemainus will swap downward dogs for uplifted voices when it becomes a concert venue for the Hive Folk Spring Concert on Saturday, April 19.
The concert runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hive (2865 Oak St.) and will feature performances by three Vancouver Island singer-songwriters: Michael Holland, JoHannah Knight, and Mike Toole.
Though best known as a hub for wellness classes, The Hive is expanding its role in the community by hosting seasonal concerts that celebrate the arts. The initiative was spearheaded by studio owner Samantha Fincham, who approached Knight about curating music events at the space.
“The Hive is a versatile space that not only offers fitness and yoga classes, but also supports the arts and music workshops,” said Knight. “So it was a natural fit, no pun intended.”
Fincham sees The Hive as the perfect place for this event.
“I have always realized that health is a tapestry of many things, the arts being an integral piece,” said Fincham. “The Hive has always been a space that lends itself to the gathering of people, so it felt like a natural step to include music from one of our talented members to perform and create a celebration of the changing of seasons.”
In December, The Hive hosted the successful Winter Songbirds benefit show, raising funds for Chemainus Neighbourhood House.
This month's show promises an intimate and eclectic experience rooted in folk music — a genre Knight defines as “music that speaks to your heart and tells a story.”
Mike Toole is a Ladysmith-based artist whose musical influences range from The Ramones to Hank Williams. He has been writing songs for more than 30 years and has an enormous catalogue of original music.
Michael Holland is a soulful, folk-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has performed thousands of live shows and contributed to hundreds of studio recordings. Now based in Chemainus, he creates original music and leads songwriting workshops with the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society.
JoHannah Knight brings a raw, emotive edge to the evening. A veteran of the Toronto punk scene, she played in several all-female punk bands, including Dolly-Awol, a trio featuring Maria Del Mar of National Velvet. After a break to raise her children, Knight returned to songwriting with what she calls "poetic story songs" — deeply relatable, countrified folk with heart-wrenching melodies. She released her album 2 Sailing Wait in 2017 and is now collaborating with Holland on her next project.
The atmosphere for the Folk Spring Concert is designed to be welcoming and low-key.
“Come as you are,” said Knight. “Bring a friend. Be surprised.”
This marks the second concert in what organizers hope will become an ongoing seasonal series.
“We hope to grow our events to be as well rounded and embodied as our yoga and fitness lineup is for our community,” said Fincham.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
