SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING ARTS
This year’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series (SOCS) marks Salt Spring Arts’ fifth season presenting a series of free live music events in Centennial Park.
In collaboration with Salt Spring Country Grocer and Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, the six-week-long program takes place every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Centennial Park through Aug. 22.
Next week’s concert, on July 25, features award-winning headliner Jocelyn Pettit Trio and local support from Pender Island’s Sóley Ella May.
As a multicultural artist with Scottish, Irish, French and Malaysian heritage, Pettit integrates the Celtic and folk traditions of her roots into her shows and compositions. With an uplifting and engaging stage presence, Pettit presents a lively and joyful performance of traditional, contemporary and original music.
A five-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Pettit has performed across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Malaysia. She has appeared on CBC and BBC television, and shared the stage with Irish supergroup The Chieftains. Her duo album with cellist Ellen Gira was awarded Traditional Album of the Year honours at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
For this performance, Pettit will be joined by top-notch bandmates Erik Musseau (whistle, pipes, piano, vocals) and Adam Dobres (guitar). Musseau is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Squamish, and Adam Dobres is a renowned Vancouver Island-based guitarist with multiple award-nominated solo albums. The trio will present a lively and uplifting performance of “New-Trad Celtic” music.
Warming up the stage for the trio is local singer/songwriter Sóley Ella May. The 17-year-old artist was raised in a musical family, and has been writing and performing since the age of six. Through festivals, local radio, school performances and more, May continues to play an active role in the music scene today.
Next Thursday, July 25, bring a blanket, a picnic and your dancing shoes to Centennial Park to enjoy the second of six free live concerts in the beautiful setting of Ganges Harbour! And don’t miss the July 18 concert featuring Steph Strings with The Selkies of Salt Spring Island.
For more information about the Summer Outdoor Concert Series, visit saltspringarts.com/socs.