Mary Gauthier performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

The Ecclestons performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

I took these orchestra shots for Pillar, the school yearbook. I was so nervous wandering around the room and trying to be quiet, all the while hearing my loud shutter snapping.

I found the light difficult to work with, and I don't know much about correcting that, so I only liked two of the shots.

Bijoux Du Bayou performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

El Adobe Recording Studio

Ry Moran performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Joel Fafard performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2009. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Ken Whiteley at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

portrait of a viola

watching a celtic band playing at the star and shamrock. made me crave ireland

Bijoux Du Bayou performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Dinah D at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Doug and Telisha Williams performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Fender Stratocaster

Mary Gauthier performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Bach's Lunch at El Paso Museum of Art

Tequila Mokingbird Orchestra performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Doug and Telisha Williams performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Hot Club Of Mars at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Two violinists play a song on the Swedish Fiddle

Photo © Edwin Remsberg. High res version available for license at www.remsberg.com

Two violinists play a song on the Swedish Fiddle

Photo © Edwin Remsberg. High res version available for license at www.remsberg.com

Ry Moran performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Dinah D at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Diamond Joe White at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The Ecclestons performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Diamond Joe White at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Hot Club Of Mars at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Ry Moran performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Mary Gauthier performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2010. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Feel free to use this image but please give credit with a link to www.songsimian.com (NOT Flickr)

Triska!at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

accordian players

The Good Brothers at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Bijoux Du Bayou performing at the Islands Folk Festival, 2008. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Eileen McGann performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2009. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

Tamara Nile at the 23rd Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan, BC - July 20, 21, 22, 2007. Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Luke Stackhouse with Fred Eaglesmith performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2009. Providence Farm, Duncan, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

September 20, 2016 - Mindale Ethnohistorical Museum of Crafts of Ecuador where we had a private tour and a nice dinner amongst the artifacts. Located at: Reina Victoria N 26-166 y La Nina. Quito, Ecuador.

On a very warm July evening Michael Averill and P.K. Tessmann perform in the intimate setting of "Notional Space". The audience were in for a wonderful treat in this true listening room.

"Notional Space" is the living room on Mark and Yoo-Mi, who graciously provide this space to a variety of events as part of the "Giving Economy". Check out the "Notional Space" web site to see what wonders are being offered:

notionalspace.org

Michael Averill is an amazingly versatile performer whom I've had the privilege of getting to know in the last year. Check out his site:

michaelaverill.com

This was the first time I've seen P.K. Tessmann, and she is great! Check here to keep updated:

www.pktessmann.ca

Most of all: Check out any local artists you can. They keep culture alive!