SOBERFEST
Where: Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Pkwy., Langford
When: Aug. 3, 12 p.m.
Tickets: $40 from soberfestvictoria.ca (children 12 and under are free)
Why: Juno Award-winning hip-hop trio Swollen Members will play together in Victoria for the first time since 2018 as headliners for the third annual SoberFest, a substance-free event aimed at sending individuals battling addiction into treatment programs on Vancouver Island. The event made the move to Starlight Stadium last year, and found the space that was needed to expand its growing footprint in the community. The festival should see an even bigger uptick this year, thanks to the popularity of Swollen Members co-founders Prevail (who graduated from nearby Belmont Secondary) and Mad Child, who has been public about his addiction struggles in the past. Merkules, Daniel Wesley, DJ Naomi Nice, the Rainshadow Al Band, and DJ Barbie Aphelion will also perform.
HORNBY FESTIVAL
Where: Various locations on Hornby Island, including Rosemuir Farm and the Community Hall
When: Aug. 1-10
Tickets: www.hornbyfest.com
Why: Events at the Hornby Festival are spread over two weekends, which gives the non-profit, charitable event an all-encompassing feel. Main stage concerts at Rosemuir Farm (Aug. 1-5) and the Community Hall (Aug. 8-10) will be popular, but the beauty of this 10-day Gulf Island arts and culture event (established in 1982) is the sheer variety of offerings, from educational pre-concert talks to pop-up events — many of which are free of charge. Vancouver’s The History of Gunpowder (Aug. 2) and Victoria’s Miina (Aug. 4) highlight the first week of activities, while Florida guitarist-storyteller 6 Guitars (Aug. 8) and New York classical guitarist Jason Vieaux (Aug. 9) are sure things in the second week.
COOMBS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Where: Coombs Rodeo Grounds, 2601 Alberni Hwy., Coombs
When: Aug. 2-4
Tickets: $50-$70 daily; $115 for a weekend pass (children 12 and under free with adult) from coombsbluegrass.org
Why: Bluegrass aficionados are already on site, in order to secure prime-time camping spots, which tells you all you need to know about the 44th annual Coombs Bluegrass Festival. The much-loved Coombs Rodeo Grounds event has a built-in community of supporters who steadfastly support traditional bluegrass groups from Canada an the U.S., which this year include Queens Bluegrass, The Mighty Teardrops, Scout Mountain, Murfitt & Main, Storyhouse, and The Hillbettys. It’s definitely worth a peek, even if attending wasn’t on your radar. It’s a slice-of-life festival unlike few others on Vancouver Island.
