FOLK MUSIC: Arrogant Worms
Where: Knox United Church, 345 Pym St., Parksville
When: Friday, March 11, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30)
Tickets: $38.15 from EventBrite
Why: It’s not every day this funny folk trio from Kingston, Ontario tours our region, which explains why the Arrogant Worms’ performance tonight in Sidney at the Mary Winspear Centre sold out in advance. There’s good news, however, as tickets are available for dates at Parksville’s Knox United Church (Friday) and Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre (Saturday). Fans know what to expect from the Worms at this point in their career, but those who are new to the group should plan on being amazed by the sharp-witted Canadiana of Mike McCormick, Chris Patterson, and Trevor Strong, which has been honed to perfection over the course of 14 albums and three-decades of CBC-approved comedy.
OPERA: The Italian Lesson | Bon Appétit!
Where: Baumann Centre, 925 Balmoral Rd.
When: March 11 through March 23
Tickets: $35 ($15 for youth) from rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121
Why: Led by a rising star (Vancouver mezzo-soprano Megan Latham) and excellent creative team (conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia, director Glynis Leyshon, and artistic director Timothy Vernon, among others), this appealing double-feature has plenty working in its favour. Pacific Opera Victoria streamed these favourites from composer Lee Hoiby in 2021 — after a planned in-person run never materialized, due to COVID-19 — which gives these in-person performances at the Baumann Centre a well-oiled headstart. Audiences will marvel at the stunning sets (1920’s New York City for The Italian Lesson; 1950’s Boston for Bon Appétit) and overall sense of joie de vivre.
BLUES: Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley
Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St.
When: Friday, March 11, 7 p.m. (doors at 5:30)
Tickets: $25 from hermannsjazz.com
Why: The duo of singer Diana Braithwaite and multi-instrumentalist Chris Whiteley is two-pronged threat, with both veterans bringing something special to the table. With multiple Juno Award nominations and Maple Blues Award wins as a unit, they are an extremely esteemed duo in the blues genre, and with support on Friday night from a band that includes Jack Lavin on bass, Ross Hall on drums, and Jan Randall on piano, expect great things to happen. This will be a party with a capital P.
