The Trail & District Arts Council was excited to get the community back together this Summer at Gyro Park for Music in The Park for eleven shows and two acts per night, from June 22 to August 31. It’s been the perfect opportunity for all the family to get together outside and listen to great live music.
On August 31 White Lightning get you dancing with their blues, rock, and Boogie Band vibes before The 2 Bit Jug Band take the stage with their solid six-piece band with a love of Old-Time Classic-Country music.
White Lightning is a highly energetic, danceable 6-piece Blues, Rock and Boogie Band from Nelson, with a distinctive twin guitar plus harmonica sound. They play classics from Little Walter, Chuck Berry and The Beatles along with their Kootenay-themed originals. The band’s rocking blues sound comes from front man Dave Carroll, Gord Watt on guitar, Kevin McKenzie on harmonica, Nelson’s busiest bassist Phil Wilson-Birks, and drummer Bill Graham, for a multi-talented line-up. In recent months Keyboard player Glenn Mitchell has joined the team.
The 2 Bit Jug Band rescues forgotten old blues, swing, jazz, and jug band songs from the 1920s to the ‘40s. Covering universal themes of heartbreak, happiness, and even food the music is brought to life through the voices of both Ken Glastre and Michael Gifford (Gut Bucket Giff). Ken Glastre’s powerful & dazzling fingerpicking guitar playing delivers those old bluesy, jazzy tunes combined with his vocal storytelling and haunting mandola for a memorable & entertaining show. Juan Parris, percussionist, uses his many little goodies to fill the spaces with good taste. And, on the bass end, is Michael Gifford (Gut Bucket Giff), a master of the washtub bass, tuba & jug, who also provides jazzy cornet & kazoo. These three musicians have been making their music since the 1960s and their old tunes tell old stories that are still relatable today.
“There Ain't Nobody Like Those Guys!” - Papa John Gilroy (1904-1973)
Bring a lawn chair. Admission is by donation - $3 minimum suggested.
This show is made possible thanks to support from Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Teck Trail Operations, Columbia Basin Trust, BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, Tourism South Kootenay, Pharmasave Trail and our media partner Bounce Radio. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.