A 11-piece jazz and funk mini-big band that has tenaciously tendered terrific performances over its 26-year tenure in Nanaimo. The band writes and performs original instrumental compositions and creative arrangements that are not shy to embrace the fun in music.

Shows include a crazy mix of swinging jazz, a swinging mix of crazy jazz, Tower of Power-style funk, New Orleans-inspired brass band jams, and wild re-arrangements of classic rock tunes. You could catch a nod and a wink to Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, and Lettuce—all within the same song.

The band first rehearsed in the halls of Malaspina University-College in 1996. Membership has featured a rotating cast of Nanaimo’s top music professionals, students, and Malaspina/VIU music alumni, and will sometimes perform as an 11 or 12-piece outfit.

The Palace Band was born from an era of rum smugglers and late night cabaret, when music bubbled with swinging emotion and soul. The raw sounds of old school jazz returns with an energy that will put your feet into motion and a smile on every face, combining soaring vocals with a flash of trumpet and the thunder of drums to make the old time new again. It’s impossible to talk about the creation of The Palace Band without first describing the production that formed them, A Night at the Palace. Every year, for the past 17 years, in the depths of winter, the community of Errington comes together to don their sequins, feathers, flapper dresses and frock coats to put on a completely original night of Vaudeville, Comedy and Burlesque Theatre. While there was always music involved, somewhere around the middle of this dynasty, a solid core band was formed, to be known as The Palace Band. It soon became apparent that performing two sold out weekends a year was not going to be enough to satisfy the appetites of these musical mavericks. Drawing on their collective history of musical theatre, Jazz programs, and a wealth of other musical projects, they created a repertoire inspired by the jazz music of the 20’s to the 40’s.

Tickets $25 at: simpli.events/u/maydontherock.

Paul Gellman, a seasoned singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has been a cornerstone of Gabriola’s music scene since 1973. After touring with The Perth County Conspiracy, he returned to Gabriola and formed the band Island. With three original albums—most recently Globalize—Paul has led, coached, and inspired many, making his band a beloved local staple.

Bringing together six stellar singers and players who, between them, span the worlds of folk, Celtic,

blues, jazz, and classical music, this intimate and engaging performance does not try to imitate the

Fab Four, but rather seeks to present renditions that are authentic to the musicians' own unique

voices and eclectic instrumentation. A fiddle can give a dazzling guitar solo? An accordion can be a

menacing bulldog? With renditions ranging from Nova Scotia folk music vibes to classic Tina Turner,

audiences marvel at this group’s incredible interpretations!

‘Get Back Unplugged’ started as an idea of Vancouver-based folk-pop trio The Wahs, after seeing

the recent Peter Jackson-produced documentary about the famous Get Back recording sessions

and the celebrated Beatles rooftop concert.

Featuring The Wahs:

Cameron Wilson, Violin, vocals

Andrew Hillhouse, Vocals, guitar

Brent Gubbels, Bass

and special guests:

LJ Mounteney, Vocals, ukulele, percussion

Allan Dionne, Accordion, vocals

David Gibbons, Vocals, guitar