Music, magic and more at Festival of Trees Public Days

Music, magic and more.

That’s how organizers describe three designated Public Days at this year’s Festival of Trees at Malaspina University-College.

Community members, including families and seniors, are invited to the Nanaimo campus on Sunday, Nov. 27, Sunday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12 to 5 pm. The Festival of Trees includes a display of over 40 decorated Christmas trees, hundreds of lights and decorations.

"All three Public Days include musical and magical entertainment," said Festival of Trees Steering Committee Chair George Hrabowych. "The Festival will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit."

Award-winning Canadian chanteuse Joëlle Rabu will make a special appearance during the Festival of Trees on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2:30 pm. Rabu has performed with her long-time music director, pianist-composer J. Douglas Dodd for more than 20 years with tours of her highly acclaimed show ‘Tonight…Piaf ‘and her concert, ‘The Time of our Lives’ throughout four continents. Rabu’s 16-year-old son, Nico Rhodes, is currently marking his own territory in the music business as an aspiring jazz musician performing on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet and piano.

For the first time, the three have decided to combine their talents and repertoire for a musical appearance at this year’s Festival of Trees. The trio will blend their unique flavour of European torch, blues and jazz to some festive tunes, some original compositions as well as some of Rabu’s well-known Piaf material.

Performing on Sunday, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 at 1 pm at is a band called Shanneyganock, voted Newfoundland’s 2004 Entertainers of the Year. Shanneyganock, which features Atlantic Canada’s finest accordion player, has a sound that is heavily influenced by traditional Irish and Celtic music. They will perform folk songs and traditional Christmas favourites at the Festival.

On Dec. 10, the final day of the Festival of Trees, the King of Magic, Shayne King of Victoria will delight young and old with breathtaking magic and illusions at 2 pm.

Raffle tickets will sold during all three Festival of Trees Public Days for a chance to win one of the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Refreshments and treats will also be available for purchase.  

The Festival of Trees Public Days take place in Building 300 (upper cafeteria) at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo, 900 Fifth Street. Admission is by donation. Free parking is available on site during all Festival events courtesy of Robbins Parking. Please note: Malaspina’s upper cafeteria is wheelchair accessible.

The Festival of Trees is the largest community event in the Malaspina Foundation's annual fundraising program. This year, proceeds will support student scholarships, bursaries and awards.

For further information about the Festival of Trees, call the Malaspina Foundation events line at 740-6258 or visit the Malaspina University-College website at www.viu.ca/festival.