While music makes the world go round, only in Duncan is it celebrated through 39 Days of July.
Organizer Longevity John Falkner joked that they are celebrating their third annual 13th festival for those who have been listening, and while he started this epic festival when he was still a young pup of 61, at going on 74 it is a little more challenging.
"The joy that is being received as we hand out programs for this year's festival makes it all worthwhile," said Falkner. "A lot of the elders look forward to this, kids who have grown up with the festival are now in their late teens and are in the workforce are once again excited to come out and see it. It's an excitement that everyone in town needs to feel."
The stages at Charles Hoey Park and City Square are being set for 38 concerts over 33 days and 317 slotted park performances for a total of 355 concerts with tons of talent from across the globe including Canadian folk/pop/rock songwriter Jane Siberry who will be one of this year's headliners.
39 Days of July runs from June 27 to Aug. 4, and will be getting the party started on what is one of their signature Funday Fridays with the Cow Bells taking the stage at 4 p.m., followed by Malakai at 5 p.m., Arbutus Roots at 6 p.m., and closing out opening night will be Pozitive Rebellion at 7 p.m.
Every day of the week promises good times with 'Showcase Mondays in the Park' and 'Blues on Tuesdays', hump days are double the fun with 'Walkabout' and 'Welcoming Wednesdays' in the park, 'Thoughtful Thursdays', 'Sociable Saturdays', and 'Specialty Sundays'.
Festival favourites that will be returning include the Duncan Night Market, 'Nostalgia Nights', 'Teacher Student Showcases', and 'Lunch in the Park' concerts. Wine Down Wednesday will also be returning but as its own festival in August ,which will feature four days of great line-ups of strictly Cowichan Valley musicians on the City Square Stage on Aug. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
Longevity John has some new tricks, and treats up his sleeve with a few firsts this year such as the Centennial Park Kids Stage, sponsored by the Red Balloon Toy Store and located behind the Lions Club water park which will feature a 30-minute show of music and magic every Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The slightly older younger crowd, or those who like to keep the good times going can experience the magic of 39 Days a little longer as it partners with Jacs on Queens this year.
"We'll have eight acts perform in the park, then afterwards will head over to play at Jacs on Queens after 9:30 p.m. giving people a chance to grab some food, an adult beverage, and dance if they desire," said Falkner.
Other highlights include some extra added blues concerts on the city square stage with names such as James Vickers, Miss Emily, and David Gogo, Dress Rehearsal Alumni nights giving those who have put in their time a chance to shine with four songs per performer on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., not to mention the Songwriters in the Round.
"We do it like they do in Nashville and three songwriters on a panel who switch off songs," said Falkner. "It becomes very creative, and very in the moment, and it's a wonderful way to view three different songwriters at one time."
Don't let the name of this epic event fool you, as once again Longevity John has added a 40th day of July on Aug. 31 from 3 to 10 p.m., at Duncan City Square.
Forty days of great acts will also include some great local actors as the Shawnigan Players once again bring the wonder of old Will to Charles Hoey Park to kick off the Cowichan Valley Shakespeare festival on Aug. 4 with The Comedy of Errors directed by Alex Gallacher at 11 a.m., followed by Antony and Cleopatra directed by Aaron Montan at 1 p.m.
Longevity John is beyond excited for this year's festival and in the current times truly believes that bringing people together through music is a necessity and will only benefit the community.
"I recently met a young man in his early 20s who said when he went to last year's festival for his first time he didn't know anybody," said Falkner. "He told me how much he loved it and how it allowed him to meet new people with common interests and musical likes and that it allowed him to feel more comfortable in the community. That's our hope is that people will feel more carefree."
Longevity John has been giving back to the community through music for years, and this year those who want to give back in the form a donation can now do so by 'tap'.
Through this annual festival Longevity John aims to remind people that the arts and cultural sector is a huge component of what makes up a community. To see this year's full lineup visit 39daysofjuly.ca.
"Music gives people a sense of unity, it has the power to bring us together and even make us smile or cry," said Falkner. "We are all just little specs of sand, but together we make a beach."
