Gulf Island Events

Paper Covers Rock Society presents Reading Retreats: a weekend read-aloud party. Twelve of us take a break from our normal lives and read one novel out loud, start to finish, together. There’s no assigned homework beforehand, and zero pressure to perform. You can read aloud if you feel like it, or just sit back and listen. By Saturday night, we’ll have finished it as a group. For our first edition we are reading Patrick deWitt’s brand-new novel, Dodge City — two weeks before its official release date! Sept 18 & 19, 3–6 PM both days $75 includes your own copy of the book (yours to keep), both afternoon sessions, cider & snacks from Salt Spring Wild, a private tour of the gallery’s current show “Piecemeal,” and a bit of surprise swag.

**Music Makers Presents: All Saints ‘After Dark’ featuring Cots & Days of Lavender — Thursday, September 17th — Music begins at 7pm** Tickets – $10-30 Suggested Donation (cash only at the door) All Ages w/ Cookies and tea generously donated by The Woodshed Join us at All Saints “After Dark” on Thursday, September 17th at 7pm for an evening of genre-bending, intimate sound. Cots, the solo project of Canadian composer Steph Yates, weaves bossa nova, tropicalia, folk, jazz, and classical influences into subtly unconventional pieces for nylon-string guitar and voice. Sharing the bill is Days of Lavender, Vancouver’s meditative electronic soul pop duo, whose dreamy, love-born collaboration blends Ableton-driven basslines with soulful vocals. Come experience two distinct sonic worlds under one roof. You can find out more on the artists’ websites below! COTS https://stephyates.com/cots “Flowers” video: DAYS OF LAVENDER https://www.daysoflavender.com “My Wintertime” video: Music Makers is proud to curate performances that celebrate artistry, collaboration, and community. This concert reflects that spirit: music created not just to entertain, but to connect people through shared atmos

The Salty Pear Gallery presents Piecemeal, an evolving exhibition featuring 24 Salt Spring Island artists working across painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and mixed media. Both a showcase and a revolving collection, Piecemeal reflects how creative practices and livelihoods on Salt Spring are assembled through a patchwork of careers & interests, unconventional schedules, shared resources and fortuitous moments of gathering. Located on a five-acre farm just a short walk from Ganges, The Salty Pear is an intimate gallery, creative space and gathering place founded by multidisciplinary artist, curator and cultural producer Annika Hagen. Piecemeal is on view until mid-January 2027. Gallery hours will be posted to the site after the opening, with private viewings available by appointment. Visit saltypear.ca for more information.

Come and learn how to use AI in your everyday life. Bring your own device (laptop, tablet, phone) and try it out. Brian LaMure is a veteran technology executive who has spent his career building AI and data systems for education and financial technology companies, most recently as CTO of Dragonfly Duo. He enjoys making AI understandable and useful for everyone — no technical background required.

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

**Music Makers Presents: All Saints ‘After Dark’ featuring Sam Tudor with Lilli Carr — Thursday, September 10th– Music begins at 7pm** Tickets – $10-30 Sliding Scale (cash only at the door) All Ages w/ Cookies and tea generously donated by The Woodshed On Thursday, September 10th Sam Tudor performs a stripped back acoustic set on Salt Spring Island in the twilight hours of Summer. The acclaimed songwriter presents new work in an intimate format in anticipation of recording a new album with his band. Poignant folk songwriting, cathartic and catchy melodies with an idiosyncratic bent. For fans of Paul Simon, Big Thief, Mt. Eerie. Sam Tudor typically fronts a 4 piece art pop band with a focus on songwriting. The underpinnings of the songs are genre-less; jazz players join forces with Eno inspired beats while acoustic guitars meet distorted synths. The band has a dedicated cult following in Canada and have toured internationally, performing in Japan, the UK, the US and more. They have performed at Vancouver Jazz Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, and alongside acts such as Dan Mangan, Charlotte Cornfield, Chartreuse and more. The groups most recent album Hidden Minute has receive

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Salt Spring poet Murray Reiss’s poetry and prose have been published in literary magazines and anthologies in Canada and the United States, and short-listed for a number of prizes and awards. His first book, The Survival Rate of Butterflies in the Wild, won the 2014 Gerald Lampert award. His second, Cemetery Compost, was published in 2016. A chapbook, Distance from the Locus, was published by Salt Spring’s Mother Tongue Press in 2005. His poems tread a taut line between bemusement and despair, our daily contradictions and divided natures, dissolving the distinctions between heartbreak and humour, the political and the personal, while engaging some of the most pressing issues of our time. • Sign-up for the open mic starts at 6:45. • One poem per reader, max. 3 minutes.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Every community needs places for humans to gather, to feel safe and nurtured, held and heard. Stonewell Farm is such a place. So join us on the last Sunday of every month from May until August! Salon Sundays are magical mini festivals intended to be affordable and fun for everyone. There will be movement and dance, live music and poetry, as well as an Open Mic for those who want to take a leap or those moved to share. There will be workshops, conversation, meditation, community and culture, laughter and love. Mama G’s Eatery will be serving up organic seasonal dishes with a licensed bar to sip local beverages. We are a small family run farm that likes to have some fun so bring the whole family! Stay for the day or come and go. Find a blanket and eat under our apple trees, sit quietly with our 5 goats, or wander the property with our very friendly chickens. Groove to some funk, listen to a new voice, play games with your friends and neighbours, take it all in, and relax because it’s a Sunday afternoon in the summertime. Give your heart some sweet medicine – fun, connection, and community in an intimate, relaxed setting. Stonewell Farm is truly a unique venue with a barn for lounging

Shorefox at Ox Eats Grass Friday August 28th 7PM-9PM Food Service starts at 6PM Come check out Salt Spring’s newest live music venue focusing on the incredible diverse talent on our beautiful Island. “Shorefox plays post punk folk rock. Or Punk Fusion. At least they think they do. If you know what that is, please come explain it to them.”

Seascape from Reality Artists Margo and Dan Zak bring together ceramics and painting in Seascape from Reality, an exhibition shaped by a shared lifetime of art, architecture, and deep observation of the natural world. Inspired by time spent along the coasts of Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, and Tofino, the exhibition explores the ocean landscape as a place of calm, healing, and regeneration. Dan’s expansive seascape paintings and Margo’s biomorphic ceramic vessels come together in a single installation, offering two distinct yet deeply connected responses to the water’s edge. For both artists, this body of work marks a departure from their regular practices. Dan’s scaled-up landscapes create an immersive pictorial space, while Margo’s sculptural forms embrace a looser, more experimental approach. Together, their work reflects a personal and shared experience of coastal life, translated through material, memory, and imagination. Margo and Dan Zak met in 1976 while studying Art and Architecture at the University of Manitoba. Their creative lives have taken them around the world, including Trinidad and Tobago, San Francisco, London, and Qatar. Since settling on Salt Spring

Negative Space: Airy Garden Arrangements Discover how space can be just as important as flowers in creating beautiful arrangements. We’ll begin by harvesting a thoughtful selection of seasonal blooms and branches before exploring designs that celebrate openness, movement, and the natural character of each stem. This workshop focuses on the use of negative space, line, and structure to create airy, garden-inspired compositions with a sense of lightness and balance. Through guided instruction, you’ll learn how restraint and intentional placement can bring depth, rhythm, and elegance to floral design. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the field.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Bandemonium Music Society is staging its third annual Summer Band Camp, oriented especially to youth 12+. It is directed by Ben McConchie, Secondary School music teacher and organizer on Salt Spring and Pender Islands, as well as director of Bandemonium concert band. The camp offers the chance to explore music theory and practice, including jazz, pop and rock, as well as trying out new instruments (available on loan). Participants should have either a year or more in a school band program, or at least be able to play a scale on their instrument. The venue is the SIMS Music Room on Salt Spring. August 24-28, 10am – 4pm. The fee is $330. Register at www.saltspring.band. The camp is supported by our Society and the Salt Spring Foundation, with the assistance of Long & McQuade Music, Capital Regional District and Mid-Island Co-op.

Since forming in the early 2010s, the duo has earned 7 Canadian Folk Music Awards and 4 Juno Awards, solidifying their reputation as leading voices in modern roots music. Pharis and Jason Romero are a Canadian folk duo known for their intimate, old-time-inspired sound and finely crafted acoustic instrumentation. Based in British Columbia, the husband-and-wife pair—Pharis Romero and Jason Romero—blend close harmonies with banjo, guitar, and fiddle to create music rooted in traditional Appalachian styles while remaining deeply personal and contemporary. Alongside their recording career, Jason is also an acclaimed builder of handcrafted banjos, adding a distinctive authenticity to their work. This show features a full band and celebrates a new album release.

All Saints After Dark is thrilled to be presenting Andromeda’s Ocean and Hownd Thursday, Aug 6, 7pm at All Saints Church. Andromeda’s Ocean (Kyla McMahon) will be performing songs from her upcoming album entitled ‘Winter’. She says “this album is about honouring the winter as we all have our seasons in life, and it’s also a celebration of crawling out of the winter. It is an ode to and a ceremony for my pain, with the understanding and gratitude for experiencing contrast. I have this saying that has come from the creation of this album and it’s ‘for without the winter I wouldn’t know the sweetness of the blossoming spring’.” The album was produced by Hownd (Justin Kelly) who will be joining Kyla on guitar. He will also play a set of his original songs. Kyla says Justin has “added a lot of colour to my songs and a lot of character, a lot of beauty” HOWND An old soul with a gift for mindful songwriting, Hownd (Justin Kelley) is an artist, instrumentalist, producer and engineer. He has honed a soulful, guitar-driven sound as a solo artist over a decade of recording and performing original music. Hailing from the North Shore of Massachusetts, Hownd earned a degree from Berklee Colle

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Join ecologist Chris Drake of Coast Alive Stewardship Services this summer at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve! You will learn about: – How this nature reserve was once a golf course and has since been stewarded into a productive and vibrant wetland and forest. – Restoring a variety of ecosystem types including wetlands and Garry oak meadows – Successfully controlling invasive species – Propagating and growing native plants – Protecting native plants from deer – Reducing wildfire risk, including information on fire-resistant & drought-tolerant plants – Enhancing wildlife habitat – birds, bats, frogs, beavers and beyond! Wildlife habitat supplies will be available for purchase by Coast Alive Stewardship Service – Nesting boxes for local birds – Bird baths and mini-ponds – Wire cages to protect trees and shrubs from deer browse. The walk is approximately 2 kilometers. Please bring your own water and sun protection. After the walk enjoy a beautiful view of the lake and soak up the sun in our picnic area. There’s lots of space for kids to safely run and play, but sorry, no dogs allowed. $10 per adult, kids free – all proceeds help fund further restoration projects. No one will be turn

Ordinary Exaltation brings together the work of Cheryl Long and Laura Keil, two Salt Spring Island artists whose practices are rooted in close attention, material exploration, and a reverence for the natural world. In her recent body of oil paintings, Cheryl Long explores the mystery, spirit, and living presence she senses in nature. Moving between landscape and dreamscape, her work reaches beyond physical appearances to consider the energetic, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the world around her. Inspired in part by the early 20th-century Transcendentalist painters, Cheryl uses colour, form, light, and intuitive imagery to express a deeper relationship with the land and the unseen forces that move through it. Laura Keil’s ceramic practice is equally grounded in attention and relationship. Working with coils, slabs, and pinching, Laura builds her vessels slowly and intuitively, allowing each form to develop its own presence. Her surfaces further deepen this sense of transformation, with some pieces shaped by the ash, flame, and atmosphere of the wood kiln, and others finished with glazes that evoke the patina of weathered bronze or copper. Together, Cheryl Long and Laura

Gisto and the Grateful Living deliver a high-energy fusion of reggae, afrobeats, and soul. Frontman Gisto’s undeniable talent has taken him from Vancouver to Kingston, where he collaborated with top reggae stars like Capleton, Sizzla, and Gyptian.Known for their vibrant, dance-heavy live shows, Gisto and the Grateful Living create an irresistible party atmosphere that instantly lifts your spirits. Gisto seamlessly blends heavy-hitting conscious anthems with infectious melodies, having dropped acclaimed, feature-packed studio albums such as Relief.Whether he is laying down tracks with international icons or electrifying local stages, Gisto brings a raw, authentic energy that connects deeply with audiences everywhere. Get ready to experience a magnetic blend of island rhythms and positive upful vibes that will keep you moving all night long.Don’t miss the chance to catch this electrifying crew live! Secure tickets now to witness a performance that bridges the gap between classic reggae roots and modern global sounds

Live, Exciting, Original and Cover music under the stars at unique and stunning Stonewell Farm on Lee’s Hill at the top of beautiful Fulford Valley. Opening act by Marianne Grittani. Guest Sue Newman. FYI, Lauren is Sue’s daughter, born and raised on Salt Spring. She and her husband, Kale, from Victoria, are music and theatre artists now based in Stratford, Ontario. This is truly a special event… it’s their FIRST SHOW on Salt Spring!

Mary Gauthier is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter known for her deeply personal, emotionally resonant storytelling and roots-inspired folk and Americana sound. Born in New Orleans, she overcame a turbulent early life to find her voice in music, drawing from themes of love, loss, redemption, and the human condition. Her breakthrough album, Mercy Now (2005), established her as a powerful lyricist, with songs often praised for their raw honesty and poetic craft. Over the years, she has earned critical recognition, including Grammy and Americana Award nominations, and her work, including the celebrated Rifles & Rosary Beads, continues to connect with audiences through its vulnerability and truth. Jaimee Harris is a Texas-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter known for her emotionally honest, story-driven blend of folk and country. Raised near Waco, her music explores themes of family, addiction, grief, and resilience. Her acclaimed albums, including Red Rescue and Boomerang Town, showcase powerful vocals and deeply human storytelling.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Salt Spring Island’s first Silent Book Club meetup is happening behind Mavericks Cafe on Salt Spring Island on July 26! This is a BYOB (bring your own book) format. Show up at 2pm, grab a seat, order a coffee or an ice cream scoop, and tell us what you’re reading. At 2:30pm we read quietly for an hour. Stick around after if you want to talk, or just keep reading. Kids are welcome if they can read independently. All genres, all readers, all levels of introversion welcome. ​Those who pre-register will get a famous Mavericks cookie, free. Hosted by Paper Covers Rock, the Salt Spring Island Society for Readers & Writers (papercoversrock.ca)

Every community needs places for humans to gather, to feel safe and nurtured, held and heard. Stonewell Farm is such a place. So join us on the last Sunday of every month from May until August! Salon Sundays are magical mini festivals intended to be affordable and fun for everyone. There will be movement and dance, live music and poetry, as well as an Open Mic for those who want to take a leap or those moved to share. There will be workshops, conversation, meditation, community and culture, laughter and love. Mama G’s Eatery will be serving up organic seasonal dishes with a licensed bar to sip local beverages. We are a small family run farm that likes to have some fun so bring the whole family! Stay for the day or come and go. Find a blanket and eat under our apple trees, sit quietly with our 5 goats, or wander the property with our very friendly chickens. Groove to some funk, listen to a new voice, play games with your friends and neighbours, take it all in, and relax because it’s a Sunday afternoon in the summertime. Give your heart some sweet medicine – fun, connection, and community in an intimate, relaxed setting. Stonewell Farm is truly a unique venue with a barn for lounging

Laurel Corona presents her fifth novel ‘Aloha Wanderwell Takes the Wheel’ – imagine a spirited and rebellious girl of sixteen stuck in a 1920s convent boarding school, facing a future of dull domesticity. Imagine her escaping, and over the next decade driving across five continents and becoming famous as the first woman to drive around the world, before tragedy brings the adventure to a stunning end. Aloha Wanderwell was a Canadian explorer, author, filmmaker, and aviator born in 1906 in Winnepeg who grew up on Vancouver Island.

An evening in the garden of a stately Italian villa, under the summer stars. When love and loyalty meet the shadow of power — wit becomes weapon, gossip becomes strategy, and reputation becomes everything. When honour is currency, who defines it, and who pays the price? Shakespeare’s most sparkling comedy, performed outdoors in the heart of Vesuvius. PERFORMANCES: July 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 at 7:00 pm July 19 at 3:00 pm Gates open 30 minutes before show. TICKETS: https://www.exitstageleftproductions.com/ Adults $35 · Youth $20 *Opening Night (July 17) Early Bird Special* Two adults for $55 until July 1 COME PREPARED FOR AN EVENING IN THE GARDEN Bring a lawn chair, low chair, or blanket · A shawl or light jacket for the evening breeze · Dolce, antipasto, and bubbly available for purchase

Palestine Action Salt Spring Island warmly welcomes Chef Izzeldin Bukhari from Sacred Cuisine at Beaver Point Hall on July 20th for a celebration of Palestinian cuisine and storytelling. Join us for a celebration of Palestinian resistance with chef Izzeldin Bukhari of Sacred Cuisine, visiting from the Old City of Jerusalem. Dinner will be at Beaver Point Hall. Doors open at 5 with dinner to be served at 6. Chef Izzeldin will share a multi course vegetarian/vegan meal of traditional Palestinian foods and delight you with stories about the dishes’ ingredients, history and how they reflect Palestinian culture. Hear about Izzeldin’s family ties and childhood experiences in Gaza with his grandmother and extended family, and discover how food relates to cultural resistance. In Izzeldin’s own

An evening in the garden of a stately Italian villa, under the summer stars. When love and loyalty meet the shadow of power — wit becomes weapon, gossip becomes strategy, and reputation becomes everything. When honour is currency, who defines it, and who pays the price? Shakespeare’s most sparkling comedy, performed outdoors in the heart of Vesuvius. PERFORMANCES: July 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 at 7:00 pm July 19 at 3:00 pm Gates open 30 minutes before show. TICKETS: https://www.exitstageleftproductions.com/ Adults $35 · Youth $20 *Opening Night (July 17) Early Bird Special* Two adults for $55 until July 1 COME PREPARED FOR AN EVENING IN THE GARDEN Bring a lawn chair, low chair, or blanket · A shawl or light jacket for the evening breeze · Dolce, antipasto, and bubbly available for purchase

Mike Farris is a Grammy-winning American singer and songwriter celebrated for his soulful blend of rock, gospel, blues, and Americana. Rising to prominence as the frontman of the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in the 1990s, he later found acclaim as a solo artist with a powerful, inspirational voice that channels deep emotion and spiritual fervour. Known for albums like Shine for All the People, which earned the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album, Farris has built a reputation for electrifying live performances and heartfelt storytelling, often reflecting themes of redemption and resilience.

We are super excited to bring back Elbow Kiss to All Saints After Dark. An incredible singer/songwriter who had us spellbound a couple months ago with her stage presence, angelic voice and magical songs. From her website: “Plucking guitar, harp, and heart strings. Softly dredging up deep seeds of yearning, nostalgia, heartbreak. Love songs to ghosts” elbowkiss.bandcamp.com Opening the night will be Grace Lohim, an enchanting singer/songwriter who moved here to Salt Spring a few years ago from California. She has been hunkering down in a tiny home crafting delicious melodies of splendour and whimsy, waiting for that perfect chance to blossom to the world and now it is happening! We are so fortunate to have such talent on the island, come hear what all the fuss is about! Simon Millerd will

Mike Farris is a Grammy-winning American singer and songwriter celebrated for his soulful blend of rock, gospel, blues, and Americana. Rising to prominence as the frontman of the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in the 1990s, he later found acclaim as a solo artist with a powerful, inspirational voice that channels deep emotion and spiritual fervour. Known for albums like Shine for All the People, which earned the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album, Farris has built a reputation for electrifying live performances and heartfelt storytelling, often reflecting themes of redemption and resilience.

Explore the art of creating balanced, naturalistic vase arrangements using flowers and foliage harvested fresh from the garden. Beginning in the field, we’ll gather a seasonal selection of blooms and textural materials before returning to the design table to build arrangements that feel both intentional and effortless. This workshop focuses on the foundations of vase design, including proportion, structure, stability, and sculptural balance. Through guided instruction, you’ll learn techniques for creating arrangements with depth, movement, and longevity while working with the unique qualities of seasonal flowers. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

2 DAY SUMMER CREATIVE CAMP FOR KIDS @ SIMS! Salt Spring Island with artists Angelo Rosso & Alicja Swiatlon Calling all young performers, artists, storytellers, and imagination-makers ages 9–13! This summer, discover The Secret Door, a magical theme guiding two unforgettable days of Improv Theatre + Visual Art. What happens when we open a hidden door? Who or what might be waiting on the other side? Through imagination, creativity, storytelling, and play, campers will invent characters, build worlds, create art, and go on theatrical adventures together! Join us for TWO fun-filled days where kids will laugh, create, play, move, imagine, and make new friends in a supportive and inspiring environment. 📅 July 14 & 15 ⏰ 10am–3pm 👧 Ages 9–13 SIMS on Salt Spring Island. $200 for both days. Thr

Discover how shape, line, and movement can transform an arrangement from decorative to expressive. In the field we’ll harvest a selection of seasonal blooms and branches chosen for their character, structure, and unique forms. Back at the table, you’ll explore sculptural design principles through asymmetrical arrangements that emphasize gesture, height, negative space, and natural movement. This workshop encourages a more intuitive approach to floral design, focusing on composition and expression rather than symmetry or perfection. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the field.

Caroline Dick Live at the Waterfront Country Cafe Power Vocals and 90s Tunes!

**Music Makers Presents: All Saints ‘After Dark’ featuring The Abramson Singers and Great Aunt Ida — July 9th — Music begins at 7:30pm (Doors open at 7pm)** Tickets – $15-30 Sliding Scale (cash only at the door) All Ages Something intimate and a little mysterious is coming to All Saints on the night of July 9th. The All Saints After Dark Series presents an evening of deeply personal songwriting with The Abramson Singers — the project of Vancouver’s Leah Abramson, whose lush harmonies and sharp-witted synth-folk pull apart the textures of everyday life and the human condition — and Great Aunt Ida, the beloved piano-driven project of Ida Nilsen, returning to music after four years in architecture school with new songs that reckon with grief, change, and belonging. Two artists, both steppin

We want Saltspring Islanders to join us in closing celebration concert to conclude our delightful 3 day ” Joy of Ukulele Masterclass” w/ Hawaiian Musical Master Kimo Hussey, David Chen and Saltspring’s own Kai Tocher, Director the the Sweet and Salty Ukulele Choir. It’s free and it’s fun. We will play together, highlight some locals and enjoy the instructors as they perform. This is true local event – supported with by Bandemonium and many on-island business sponsor/music supporters!

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

The long wait is over. They’re back. For ONE NIGHT ONLY. And they’ve brought friends. Vancouver’s own infamous Balkan horn blasters BALKAN SHMALKAN return to Salt Spring to rock the dance floor into the night. Heavyweight hitters of brass and dance events, Balkan Shmalkan has toured the festival circuit extensively, laying a foundation of funk and explosive eastern European party energy. Joining them is the 8 piece disco dance sensation BU VON BLUME, fresh off performing at Vic Skafest, these costumed funk masters lower the disco ball and get down on the stage, their electric performances and spontaneous audience games and gimmicks swift becoming festival legend. And finally, Salt Springs own ZELK will kick the party into high gear with their original sounds of indie, punk and 90’s alt

Lorne Tippett and Monika Mayr have spent the last year and a half creating 30 stained glass window pieces. This one day show will be a chance to see the vibrant interaction of colour, light and design.

Celebrate the abundance of early summer with a bouquet created from flowers harvested fresh from the field. Together, we’ll gather a seasonal selection of blooms and foliage before learning how to arrange them into loose, garden-style hand-tied bouquets. This workshop explores the fundamentals of bouquet making, including balance, proportion, colour, and natural movement. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to work with seasonal flowers and a beautiful bouquet to enjoy at home. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the field.

At the Table: The Architecture of Control is a large-scale portrait installation by Salt Spring Island artist Jeannette Sirois, examining the legal, medical, bureaucratic, and religious systems through which queer and trans lives have been classified, regulated, and governed. Through monumental coloured-pencil portraits, personal testimony, and installation elements, the exhibition makes visible the structures of institutional control while centring the presence and voices of those most affected. Sirois is a Canadian visual artist working in large-scale portrait drawing and research-creation. At the Table is an ongoing touring exhibition, travelling through British Columbia through 2029. WHEN JULY 3 ― 27, 2026 WHERE Mahon Hall Stage Opening Reception JULY 3 | 6 ― 8 PM Artist Talk JUL

Music Makers is very excited to present Simon Millerd and Kim Albert at All Saints by-the-Sea this Thursday, 7:30pm Simon Millerd grew up on Salt Spring and lived in Montreal for 11 years before returning back to the island, where he plays trumpet and piano in many local groups. He often plays solo piano in church at All Saints by-the-Sea on Sunday morning, performing original pieces or improvising spontaneously after the sermon. This is his first time playing a full length solo piano concert. Kim Albert grew up in a household in Quebec full of the traditional fiddle tunes of her self-taught dad and has been performing music since childhood. Her haunting, pared-down folk songs are steeped in love and loss. She crafts music as mindful meditation in a daily practice of acceptance, self-exp

Celestial Queer: Film Screening and Conversation Join us for a Pride season screening of Celestial Queer: The Life, Work and Wonder of James MacSwain, a film that documents the life and work of James MacSwain, a queer artist whose work brings together humour, politics, beauty, imagination, and queer visibility. Equal parts art project, history lesson, and whimsy, this film offers a portrait of an artist who defied convention for a life lived on his own terms. Directors Eryn Foster and Sue Johnson spent a decade checking in with the witty, erudite MacSwain as he moved about his life in north end Halifax, returned to his tiny rural hometown of Amherst, Nova Scotia — where he grew up, unable to pass for straight, in the 1950s — and discussed his lifelong, wildly inventive art practice. The

Caroline Dick and Peregrin McCormick at Garden Faire July 1 3-Caroline Dick and Peregrin McCormick at Garden Faire July 1 3-5PM Tahltan/Irish musician Caroline Dick is a power vocalist who performs a variety of cover songs focussing on 90s alternative and Grunge turns, as well as the occasional original. Born and raised in Manitoba, Peregrin is a Red River Métis singer and songwriter. While there are few genres he doesn’t enjoy, his performing preferences lean towards folk and alternative from all eras.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Experience the full journey of a seasonal arrangement, from flower garden to finished vase. We’ll begin by harvesting a generous selection of fresh blooms together, learning what is at its peak and how to choose flowers with an eye for colour, texture, and movement. Back at the table, you’ll transform your harvest into a relaxed, garden-inspired arrangement with guidance along the way. This workshop focuses on working with seasonal materials, embracing natural forms, and creating designs that feel abundant, effortless, and true to the garden. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the field.

Gordon Grdina is a JUNO Award winning oud and guitar player whose career has spanned continents, decades, and constant genre exploration through avant-garde jazz, free-form improvisation, contemporary indie rock, Persian and Arabic music. His singular approach to the instruments has earned him recognition from the highest ranks of the jazz and improv world. CHRISTIAN LILLINGER (*1984, Lübben/GERMANY) is a drummer, composer, curator, producer, and founder of PLAIST. His work expands the boundaries of contemporary improvised and composed music through complex rhythmic architectures and innovative ensemble concepts. His artistic practice is characterized by high structural density, dynamic precision, and a distinctive approach to sound, form, and collective interaction. Lillinger develops un

Thursday, June 25 at 7pm: Tonewoods with Rémi Vuichard Due to repeated requests from the community Rémi gives another presentation about how trees transform sound into music. Swiss moon spruce, Sitka spruce and Western red cedar share some very peculiar skills. Some of these trees are so exceptional that they end up producing the most beautiful music in the world as guitar, violin or piano soundboards. Join in for an amazing journey in Switzerland, British Columbia and more about these so special trees! We’ll share with you their best kept secret.

Build a life long love of music and encourage your child’s natural musicality in this fun family class for children 0-5 year olds and their grown ups! Explore rhythm, pitch-matching and beat awareness through storytelling, instrument playing, movement and puppets. Each week has a new theme and empowers children to enjoy music in a safe, playful and interactive environment.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Join us for Indigenous Peoples Weekend at the Famers’ Institute, Saturday, June 20th at 12pm (inside the Tipi) Travelling the Pathway of Truth and Reconciliation: Stó:lō Nation’s Investigations of Indian Residential Schools and Hospital in the Fraser Valley This talk follows a track of Indian Residential School survivors’ actions over the past few decades, leading to a pathway of truth and reconciliation and current investigations of Indian Residential Schools and Hospitals across Canada. It’s focus is on the investigations that was lead on behalf of the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council, in collaboration with the Stó:lō Tribal Council, addressing the three residential schools and hospital in the Fraser Valley. I speak to our processes and purposes underlying our team’s work in developing and

Celebrate Indigenous resistance, resilience, and joy by experiencing what local Indigenous islanders are creating these days. Pick up a new piece of art for your home, adorn yourself with some beautiful earrings, enjoy some delicious eats, and show your support for our local artists and creatives. While some vendors will likely accept e-transfer, we encourage cash as cell service can be spotty on the island. If you are an Indigenous artist and would like a table at this event, please contact Ariana by email at coach@arianafotinakis.com or by text at 604-760-2373

As part of the Artcraft Showcase exhibition Groove Noir, Salt Spring Arts Council presents MODULATIONS: Music at Mahon, a new evening series bringing live music onto the Mahon Hall Stage. Wood Land performs two nights, June 12 and June 17, from 7 to 9 PM, with special guest Chris Gestrin joining on June 12. Born from a chance encounter on a ferry, Wood Land brings together four Salt Spring musicians exploring grooves, melodies, and progressions that feel both familiar and unexpected. Their sound moves through tight rhythmic pockets, open drones, drums, guitars, keyboards, trumpet, and the occasional train whistle, inviting listeners to slow down while travelling somewhere new. Presented alongside Andy Doyle Linden’s Groove Noir, the evening extends the exhibition’s focus on live music,

A playful introduction to colour theory through the lens of seasonal flowers. Together, we’ll explore combinations that feel harmonious, surprising, and expressive while creating a garden-inspired arrangement. This outdoor workshop begins with harvesting fresh blooms from the field before moving into a guided design session. Along the way, you’ll learn the fundamentals of colour relationships, discover what makes certain palettes sing, and gain confidence creating with flowers in a more intuitive and intentional way. No experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome. Flowers, tools, and materials are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable footwear suitable for the field.

Build a life long love of music and encourage your child’s natural musicality in this fun family class for children 0-5 year olds and their grown ups! Explore rhythm, pitch-matching and beat awareness through storytelling, instrument playing, movement and puppets. Each week has a new theme and empowers children to enjoy music in a safe, playful and interactive environment.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

Caroline Dick and Liam Seymour Live at the Local. Two great acts for one free price! Saturday June 13th 7-10PM

MODULATIONS: Music at Mahon Wood Land with special guest Chris Gestrin Friday, June 12, 20267 to 9 PM (Doors at 6:30 PM)Mahon Hall StageSuggested $10 donation at the doorCash bar As part of the Artcraft Showcase exhibition Groove Noir, Salt Spring Arts Council presents MODULATIONS: Music at Mahon, a new evening concert series bringing live music onto the Mahon Hall stage. On Friday, June 12, Salt Spring ensemble Wood Land performs with acclaimed pianist and keyboardist Chris Gestrin as a special guest. Born from a chance encounter on a ferry, Wood Land brings together four Salt Spring musicians: Atom Lazare, Justin Kelley, Simon Millerd and Alex Pinto. Their music moves through grooves, melodies and progressions that feel both familiar and unexpected, shaped by drums, guitars, keyboards

Join digital artist Leo Chan for two hands on evenings and discover the computer as a creative tool. Capture an object and transform it into a living, interactive digital artwork. No experience needed, just curiosity. 📅 Friday June 5 and Friday June 12 ⏰ 4 to 7 PM Ages 14 to 18 Register by May 29 at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/AIworkshop#/ Please bring a laptop if possible. Limited laptops available to borrow.

Music Makers Presents: All Saints ‘After Dark’ featuring C.R. Avery and very special guest poets and musicians from both on and off island — June 11th — Music begins at 7:30pm (Doors open at 7pm) Tickets – $15-30 Sliding Scale (cash only at the door) In any other case, it would take a team of people to do C. R. Avery’s career or even conceptualize his 17-album catalogue, let alone gain his beautifully twisted, wonderfully dirtied world view. From what dimension he pulls his ideas, we’ll never know. He’s a regular guest of writers festivals, sexy poetry slams, badass burlesque dances, punk piano bars, and if there ever was, is, or would be such a thing as a rap opera festival, he’d surely be the guest of honour with his six rap operas which have been staged from LA to New York. Avery

Build a life long love of music and encourage your child’s natural musicality in this fun family class for children 0-5 year olds and their grown ups! Explore rhythm, pitch-matching and beat awareness through storytelling, instrument playing, movement and puppets. Each week has a new theme and empowers children to enjoy music in a safe, playful and interactive environment.

Every Tues 7-10 we welcome all singers and players to join us for a fun open mic night at RCL Branch 92.

Our Outdoor Summer Dance series starts on June 2nd at 5pm! Thanks to a grant from the Salt Spring Foundation, this weekly dance practice event is free to participate in! When: Every Tuesday June 2 till Sept 1, 5-7pm Where: at the Centennial Park Gazebo What: Mix music to practice your Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue dance Remember to bring your water bottle, sun protection and a pal to join us :)

Salt Spring Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a food focused market that runs from late May – late October. Find fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, baking, beverages and more at this lovely little local gem. The market is on every Tuesday from 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM in Centennial Park in Ganges.

The final Main Stage concert in our Music Around the World series of 2025-26 is German music. The program opens with Josef Rheinberger’s Drei geistliche Gesänge, followed by W. A. Mozart’s brilliant Symphonie Concertante for violin and viola with orchestra. After the intermission we present Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem. The Rheinberger work, composed for choir alone, is a group of three sacred songs: Morgenlied (Morning Song), Dein sind die Himmel (Yours Are the Heavens), and Abendlied (Evening Song). Texts from the Lutheran bible and poetry of Hoffmann von Fallersleben are set to beautiful five- and six-part romantic harmonies. The Symphonie Concertante offers an opportunity to showcase a couple of musicians we always enjoy making music with – Victor Fournelle-Blain of Montreal

Join us in welcoming UK-based, British-Portuguese singer-songwriter Nessi Gomes on her Canadian tour, bringing her soul-stirring music to Salt Spring for the very first time! ————————— Sunday, June 7th 2026 Fulford Community Hall ————————— 6:30 PM | Doors open for the concert 7:30 PM | Opening Act Blair Francis 8-10 PM | Nessi Gomes Live in Concert Optional: 2 PM | SpeedHealing *Afternoon add-on ticket required to sample free healing sessions + sound baths 4 PM | Wellness Expo: Asks + Offers, Manifestation Circle, Sound Bath (all welcome) Email connect@unite.love or click below for more info on joining as a healer, vendor or sponsor. Concert Tickets + Expo Info: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/nessi-gomes-live-in-concert-salt-spring-bc-tour-tickets-1976534241122?aff=SSE June 15 Vancouver

Join digital artist Leo Chan for two hands on evenings and discover the computer as a creative tool. Capture an object and transform it into a living, interactive digital artwork. No experience needed, just curiosity. 📅 Friday June 5 and Friday June 12 ⏰ 4 to 7 PM Ages 14 to 18 Register by May 29 at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/AIworkshop#/ Please bring a laptop if possible. Limited laptops available to borrow.

Groove Noir is a photography exhibition exploring live music on Salt Spring Island in 2025 and 2026. Set in small, intimate venues, the work captures the close relationship between performer and audience, where subtle gestures, expressions, and moments of reflection can be seen and felt. Inspired by the atmosphere of Film Noir, the exhibition uses shadow and limited light as part of the composition. Musicians emerge from darkness, briefly suspended in moments of concentration, quiet satisfaction, and presence. Rather than documenting the full room, Groove Noir focuses on what often remains after a performance: a look, a hand on an instrument, a feeling shared between artist and audience. Together, these images reflect the emotional intensity of Salt Spring’s music scene and the familiar,

Hello friends! This week at After Dark we have Tyler Lieb and the Suspension of Disbelief from Victoria. Tyler was here a couple months ago playing with Leeroy Stagger and just rocked the house (church), it was very easy to say yes to bring him back with his own band, which features one of our own, Simon Millerd, on trumpet! Also the band features young cello phenomenon Tia Greenwood!! Please note! The show will be at 7pm, not 7:30! Tyler Lieb and the Suspension of Disbelief Tyler Lieb – guitar and pedal steel Tia Greenwood – cello Simon Millerd – trumpet Jake Jenne – drums Rick May – bass Tix $15-30 suggested donation at the door Two sets, 7-9pm Intermission cookies by The Woodshed