The Friday Night Live Music Society is gearing up for another unforgettable summer of music, community, and dance under the stars in Scotch Creek. Our mission is to showcase talented musicians who bring high-energy, dance-worthy performances across a wide range of genres—and this year’s lineup is our most exciting one yet!
We kick off the season on July 4th with the Okanagan’s favourite Latin Band, Major Mambo. They perform hit songs from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Mexico and feature Patricia Dalgleish on vocals and piano, Trevor Salloum on percussion and vocals, Maggie Ponzo Cotton on vocals and percussion, Francisco Jaramillo on bass and Bob Rogers on vocals and trombone. Get ready to dance to Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, and the Samba. North Shuswap’s very own Jody Evans will open with a crowd-pleasing selection of classic rock and country tunes.
The following Friday on July 11th, we will turn up the volume with AMF, a dynamic trio fueled by the deep musical connection between friends Joel Faulkner (guitar), Dave Marfleet (bass) and Wes Anderson (drums). Since forming early last year, they have captivated audiences with their funky, bold and imaginative arrangements of classic rock and pop tunes. United by a shared passion for their craft and an unwavering commitment to the music, this trio delivers electrifying performances filled with inspired interplay, rich swing and moments of pure synergy. Prepare for a memorable night where deep groove and creativity take center stage. Kamloops popular vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Evan Wilds will open with a selection of songs that will get and keep you in the groove.
Then, something truly special will happen on Saturday, July 12 when we host the world renown, Juno award winning band from Toronto, ‘The Shuffle Demons,’ who will be on their 40th anniversary tour to promote their new album, Are You Really Real. Thankfully, the Friday Night Live Music Society is able to present this iconic group thanks to sponsorships from Shuswap Community Futures and the Celebrate Shuswap Society. Admission will be by donation. As a bonus, Bob Rogers’ groovy jazz band will be opening for Demons with their unique blend of musical genres.
The Shuffle Demons are an epic, high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic performing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. They play a mix of jazz, funk, rap, hip-hop and world music, and love to parade, pied-piper style, through the audience. Over the course of their illustrious career, The Shuffle Demons have released ten CDs, two hit videos, won several music awards, done numerous TV and radio appearances and toured nationally and internationally.
The following Friday on July 18th, Brother Ray Lemelin and the Matinee Kings will grace the stage with their soulful blend of blues and rock. Over his illustrious career, Ray has played with many great blues artists, including Amos Garrett, Jimmy Payne, Johnny V. and Harp Dog Brown. A hit at festivals across Canada including Roots and Blues, Ray and his band host a weekly jam session at The Blues Can in Calgary. He has released three award-winning albums, and he often mentors young musicians. Opening for Brother Ray will be Anglemont rocker, Duff Howe.
We will wrap up the month on July 25th with a country blowout featuring Buck Wild from Kamloops They are five seasoned musicians: lead singer Angie Heinze throws down an epic vocal performance each and every time, Jon Treichel shreds a mean lead guitar, Neil Brun lays a tasty country bass line, Brad Klenk is an animal on the drums and last, but not least, Chris Stevens is a world-class banjo pickin’ phenomena. This group takes every big country song and turns it on its head. From classic country, modern country, country rock, and even some hillbilly AC/DC, this group will throw down a barn burner and keep you dancing long into the night. Longtime Caravan Farm Theatre playwright, actor and musician Linz Kenyon will open the show with many of his original folk and blues tunes.
This year the Friday Night Live stage will be set up next to the Social District, with the tents and audience located where the parking lot was in previous years. Parking will be where the stage and audience used to be located. Food trucks and vendors will set up close to the road and beverages will be available as always. The grounds open for food and shopping at 6:30 p.m., the opening act is at 7 p.m. and at 8 p.m., the main act begins.
The Friday Night Live series of shows has become the North Shuswap’s most popular and well-attended event of the year. Our free outdoor summer concerts are possible thanks to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and the generous financial support from the CSRD, the Shuswap Community Foundation, local businesses, individuals and other organizations. Please remember to bring a chair and a donation to help cover the costs, as well as an appetite for some of the delicious cuisine available from the food trucks. And remember to wear your dancing shoes!
POSTSCRIPT
Learn more about some of the bands from their websites:
Major Mambo, Shuffle Demons, Brother Ray Lemelin and the Matinee Kings
We will soon have t-shirts available with this graphic by Otto Pfannschmidt:
