Knacker’s Yard recently performed their first official show in the Nanaimo area! Venue: The Dinghy Dock Pub! It was quite the adventure as we had to ferry it out to the pub, which is located just off of Protection Island. The pub was at capacity for us thereby making it a lovely night. Thanks to everyone who came out, we look forward to more shows on the island, and at the pub, this summer! Thanks to Summer and Sandra, as well as everyone we met, for the wonderful hospitality!

We like to showcase the venues we play, so  here is a little info about the pub from their website: The Dinghy Dock Pub & Restaurant has been an attraction in Nanaimo, British Columbia since 1989. The expansive views, relaxed atmosphere and great pub fare make us a popular destination year round. We are the only registered floating pub in Canada making your experience a unique one. We’re moored off beautiful Protection Island

originally known as Douglas Island. The ramp that connects the pub to the island allows visitors to walk the rock beaches, visit the parks or view the heron rookery, making it feel like you’re on vacation. Whether you arrive by ferry, kayak or private boat it’s our goal to make your trip to The Dinghy Dock Pub and Protection Island a memorable one!

The Dinghy Dock Pub was originally designed to function as a marina. This included a store with bait shop and showers. In 1989 patrons would order and pay for drinks at the bar and do the same for food through a hole in the kitchen wall!  Over the years the Dinghy Dock Pub has expanded three times. The expansions included patios, a family area and enlargement of the kitchen. The original docks surrounding the pub were lower to the water to accommodate the dinghies of yachts anchored in the harbour. Presently our docks range in size and fit vessels as small as kayaks and as large as a 50′ sail or power boat.

 

Robert Burns Night @ the Prospect Lake Community Center

Thanks to Pamela, Judith, and everyone involved with the Burns night! The evening included traditional ‘piping in the haggis’, poem reading, high land piping, and Knacker’s Yard. We performed all of our Scott repertoire including a Robert Burns song. The event was at capacity, so thanks to everyone who came out! Great food and music.

For those of you who do not know this famous Scott poet, you can check out the official site dedicated to his memory: http://www.robertburns.org/

 

 

 

NOVEMBER!

Welcome to our November update! With up to three performances per day the summer was a whirlwind of activity! So, unfortunately, its taken us quite some time to update the site. Our apologies.

Although the longer updates are few, you can always check out our upcoming shows either on this site, or on our Facebook page:

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knackers-Yard/1411601459122749)

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS – The Sidney Summer Market, Bastion Square Summer Market, Lavender Fest, The Oak Bay Tea Party, The Snowbirds Show, Fern Fest, The Swiftsure Yacht Races, The Metchosin Bandwagon, Cowichan Folk Guild, Ship Point Pier, Centennial Square Summer Concert Series, and much more made the summer a very exciting time. We met hundreds, and performed for thousands, of  people from all over the world! We sold out of our first album, ‘The High St. Demo'(which we re-pressed), and managed to do a second recording(more on that above). Thanks to everyone who supported the band by stopping by and listening, or by purchasing shirts and CDs! It keeps us going.

MAUI CELTIC RADIO!

Another great highlight was meeting Hamish Burgess. Hamish is a visual artist, a piper, “Scott of the year,” surfer, the host of Maui Celtic Radio, and much more! After taking in a few Knacker’s Yard shows this last summer, Hamish put together a lovely spotlight on the band for his radio show. This included an exclusive on our new record ‘Live At Dunsterville,’ as well as song commentaries and interviews. You can listen to the entire show at: https://www.mixcloud.com/mauiceltic/maui-celtic-show-15-battlefield-bandknackers-yard-sept-27th-brr64/. The spotlight was aired in many different countries. These included Scotland, Australia, Newfoundland, Ireland, UK, The Canadian Maritimes, the Pacific Northwest etc. Thanks Hamish!

To learn more about Maui Celtic Radio, and check out his art go to: http://www.mauiceltic.com/

LIVE AT DUNSTERVILLE! – In case you don’t know it, KNACKER’S YARD has a new album out! The title is ‘Live at Dunsterville,’ and was recorded live off the floor at our house on Dunsterville Ave.(hence the title) The CD features eleven tracks of Irish, Scottish, and English folk tunes, as well as one original track(entitled ‘The Milton St. Mine Disaster’).

The album can be downloaded from knackersyard.bandcamp.com for free. or for a donation. You can also contact us for orders! We also have t-shirts for sale, if interested. Both the CDs and T-shirts are $10.00. All money brought in goes towards our next self-release.

UPCOMING – Lots coming up! Between our Christmas Eve show at the Irish Times, and some St. Paddy’s Day events, the Victoria Folk Society(March 13th) and the Metchosin Bandwagon(March 18th), it’s getting busy! So stay tuned, and we hope to see you out at some of the shows! Anyone interested in booking the band for private or public events, feel free to contact us through this site.

KNACKER’S YARD, NOVEMBER 2015

 We’re back with another update! If you’ve been following the band you will know that its been an incredibly busy summer. One of the highlights was our show with THE COWBOY JUNKIES(http://latentrecordings.com/cowboyjunkies/) at the SOUTH END GROOVE YARD(http://www.southendgrooveyard.com/) on Salt Spring Island which happened August 1st. It was a wonderful experience and we had a great time with ‘The Junkies’ over the course of that weekend. They are truly one of the country’s great bands performing both new renditions of their trade mark old psychedelic country/rock music. Special thanks to David and family for having us! Be sure to check out the South End Groove Yard events!

Our regular gigs at the SIDNEY NIGHT MARKET(Thursdays 5:30Pm-8:30PM), and at the IRISH TIMES PUBLIC HOUSE(Mondays (9:00PM-11:30PM)have been going strong, except when on tour. Feel free to come and support the band at these performances!

We’ve been very regular at the SHIP POINT PIER with their multitude of events, most recently the Snowbirds Air Show. Keep checking our up-coming shows for more Ship Point events, and keep up with them at: http://gvha.v3.ca/n_specialevents.php). Our upcoming shows are August 22nd(Fashion Splash) and the Night Market on August 23rd(check our listings for times). It would be great to see you out!

But, before that, we have a show August 19th from 12PM-1PM at Centennial Square on the outdoor stage as a part of the ‘SUMMER IN THE SQUARE’ Victoria Arts and Culture program(http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-rec-culture/culture/outdoor-venues/centennial-square/summer.html.). Please come out to support its free and all ages!

We’re also very excited to play a concert at the ‘METCHOSIN BANDWAGON’ on Friday, August 21st from 7PM-9PM at the Metchosin Golf Course (http://metchosinbandwagon.shawwebspace.ca/). For a mere $5 donation you get a full evening of music! Its also worth noting that this is a new program inspired by the ‘HIGHLAND MUSIC COFFEE HOUSE’ nights, which are an amazing musical contribution to the community. Check their schedule out at: http://www.highlands.ca/323/Highlands-Music-Coffee-House. We hope to see you out in Metchosin on August 21st!

Then into September(thus far), we have our continuing, and lovely, relationship with MARY’S BLEUE MOON pub and cafe on Canora Road in Sidney. We perform there on Thursday, September 3rd. If you don’t know this pub, you should! Its a very intimate and fun way to hear some live music. Their site is: http://www.marysbleuemoon.com/ so you can check out their listings for live music!

SLAINTE! A Night of Celtic Music by Joe Supple

Other exciting news, we have a concert at the MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE (2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney)on September 26th with friend bands CRIKEY MOR(https://www.facebook.com/crikeymor), SETS IN THE WEST(https://www.facebook.com/SetsintheWest), and the VICTORIA SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE(http://www.victoriairishdancers.com/)! This is sure to be a great event(https://www.facebook.com/events/724188331044225)! Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased at: https://ticketpeak.com/slainte  We hope to see you out! This event was made possible thanks to the efforts, and enthusiasm, of Mr. Joe Supple. Thanks Joe!

1. 

   Knacker’s Yard @ Ship Point Pier, 2015

   

   Knacker’s Yard @ Ship Point Pier, 2015

Finally, we have our debut at MOBY’S PUBLIC HOUSE(http://mobyspub.ca/) at 124 Upper Ganges Road on Salt Spring Island on October 3rd!

Besides all of that, we are going to be touring with KNACKER’S YARD this autumn, so stay tuned for those dates.

We are also busy with private events. Feel free to get in touch with us for bookings! We are always seeking to fill our schedule of performances, especially through out the winter months.

Contact: [email protected] or 778 433 7434(Wolf)

All the best, we’ll see you at the shows!

-KNACKER’S YARD, 2015

Summer is here! Knacker’s Yard has a busy schedule! The last month and half brought us back to Port Alberni where we played to a full house at Char’s Landing. A great gig! Earlier that day we performed at “Tartan Day,” downtown Victoria in Centennial Square for a very receptive audience. Tartan Day(part of the Highland Games Association)is a celebration of ancient Scott culture including traditional dance and sports. Check it out: http://victoriahighlandgames.com/tartan-day-event

Video of Knacker’s Yard performing “The Musical Priest and The Blackthorn Stick” live @ Tartan Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ipRg8o0NU

In addition to the Tartan Day, and Char’s Landing performances, Knacker’s Yard has been busy with appearances at Mary’s Bleu Moon, Sidney,BC (www.marysbleumoon.com) where we will be performing every 2nd month, The Irish Times Public House, where we perform every 2nd Monday from 9PM-12AM), as well a regular street performances downtown.

THE HIGHLAND GAMES 2015

Lots coming up(see listings on the right) including three performances at the 152nd annual Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, happening May 16th-18th. We play two concerts on Saturday, May 16th: 12:00PM @ the Celtic Music Tent, and 3:30PM @ the Entertainment Stage. A third set, also at the Celtic Music Tent, will happen at 3:00PM on Monday, May 18th. We hope to see you there! For more information on the games, including admission, schedules, and events, check out the following link: http://victoriahighlandgames.com/

More soon!!

Celtic Fest!

Thanks to everyone who came to see us at Celtic Fest 2015 in Vancouver! We had a great time on the outdoor stage, which was sponsored by Doolin’s Public House, performing for hundreds of enthusiastic listeners! A special thanks also to Tom, John, and Nicole for inviting us to play, and for all of their hard work on such an extensive cultural event! Congratulations! We hope to perform for you again soon!

See Celtic Fest Vancouver: http://www.celticfestvancouver.com/

 

 

 

 

Thanks also to everyone who came out for our marathon performance (5 45 minute sets!)at the Irish Times and the Bard & Banker public houses here in Victoria on St. Patrick’s Day! The pubs were rowdy and loud, perfect! Be sure to check our listings for more gigs at these venues.

Lot’s of shows coming up! Keep an eye on the upcoming show listings!

 

 

February was another great month for Knacker’s Yard with a good many many gigs and good times. One of the main highlights was our performance at the historic Caleb Pike Music Coffee House(left picture), which took place in the Highlands district just outside Victoria, on the 14^th of February. Zhinoos Armstrong, an extremely out-going, enthusiastic, and positive lady has been hosting folk music shows at the house since 1998. The house itself is actually a small cabin built, probably, around the early 1900’s and tucked away in the more rural highlands district. The house has nothing inside except a wood stove and a small stage for performance. With the stove blazing away, the space was very fitting for a band playing music from the bygone days of an old Celtic world.

During our second set, a four year old girl in a red dress, who’s name was Gwendolin(see picture to the right), boldly climbed the stage to dance and clap along to our songs thus making it a very memorable performance. The cabin was over capacity and the audience very warm and excited to hear the band play. If you don’t know about the Caleb Pike Music Coffee House, we highly recommend checking it out. Especially for people who spend much of their time in the city and perhaps long for a more rural musical experience. The shows happen on the 2^nd Saturday of every month, start at 7pm, and are only $5 entrance. All cash gathered goes to the performers, which is great appreciated! The house is a mere 20 minute drive down Millstream Rd. If heading from Langford. We certainly hope to return to the house very soon! A special thanks to Zhinoos for booking us as a featured act, the Western Community press for gig coverage, and everyone who came out to hear the band!

Caleb Pike Music: http://www.highlands.bc.ca/323/Highlands-Music-Coffee-House

On another note, Knacker’s Yard has been added to the line-up for this years Highland Games. We are very excited and hope that some of you come out to support us for that gig which will take place May 18^th at 3PM. More information and venue will be added shortly.

We’re very excited to play Celtic Fest Vancouver on March 14^th in Vancouver, and the St. Patrick’s day shows at the Irish Times and Bard & Banker pubs here in town. We perform at the Irish Times from 2:30-4:30 PM, and then the Bard & Banker(just a block away!) from 5:00PM-8:30PM. It should be a pretty wild day! 5 sets of music in six hours. Come sing, dance, and drink! Also, to encourage crowd participation, we are offering a free CD to anyone who sings one of our songs with us! Write for song list to prepare! It could be the beginning of a brilliant career.