Chemainus Bluegrass Festival
Chemainus bluegrass extravaganza & festival. July 15, 2023
One of the wonderful events presented each year by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society

2023 Performers

Story House band
Story House
We've been busy hiring the bands. This year, we decided to once more make it an all-BC affair, and we've got some great music lined-up for you.

From the Lower Mainland, we're bringing Story House. Story House is four musicians who’ve been active in the Pacific Northwest Bluegrass and Folk scene for a good long time.

The band features many original songs, mixed with covers of great songs both old and new. All four members of the band sing, Jake and Maiken provide the cornerstone of the band's vocal sound.

The band consists of: Maiken de Villiers (double bass), Jake de Villiers (lead and rhythm guitar). Tim Eccles (5-string banjo), Pete Goodall (mandolin).


We also feature a lot more great bands. Here's one you love, it's Scout Mountain, from Powell River. This five-piece band came together in 2009 to do traditional bluegrass music. The band's sets are filled with an eclectic mix, and they love to entertain with history, harmony and humour. Scout Mountain Bluegrass Band
Scout mountain

Photo of Bluegrass Fever
Bluegrass Fever
The 2023 festival's host band will once again be Bluegrass Fever, a band that is always highly appreciated by the crowd.

Blugrass Fever is based on Vancouver Island and plays traditional, modern and original bluegrass music. The band has developed a solid reputation as one of the most crowd-pleasing bluegrass bands.

Over the past dozen years or so, the group has acted as the host band for this festival.

For more info about the band, please visit www.bluegrassfever.ca.


BackPorch Banjo is an active bluegrass band hailing from Qualicum Beach. They have been the community's favourite bluegrass band since 2014. BackPorch Banjo came together from a desire within each of the members to play good bluegrass music

The personnel are: Linda Thorburn (banjo), Ramona Ruf (rhythm guitar & vocals), Mimi Shell (fiddle & harmonies), and Mark Gregson.

Backporch Banjo
BackPorch Banjo

Photo of The Replacements
The Replacements
The Replacements, from Nanaimo, are a relatively new band to the island, but all of the members of the band have decades of experience. Their music is a pleasing melange of traditional country, bluegrass and swing tunes. Members include: Lee Heppner (vocalist, dobro kazoo), Jim Senka (vocalist & guitar picker), and Luigi Callvori (vocalist and bass artist).

Our 2022 Sponsors

The logos of our 2022 sponsors



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