Nanaimo’s David Gogo to headline

Morning Bay Vineyard’s Winestock Music and Wine Festival promises to be the best ever. Tickets ($35pp) are on sale for the Saturday, September 4 event in Morning Bay’s oceanfront vineyard. Visit the website at www.morningbay.ca to purchase tickets online.

This year’s headliner is Nanaimo’s David Gogo. One of Canada’s most accomplished bluesmen, Gogo has been called “truly one of Canada’s most unique and exceptional talents” by the Canada Music Network. His searing guitar and soulful singing bring his own compositions and his cover versions of blues classics to life. Gogo was named Musician of the Year at the Western Canada Music Awards. His 10 albums have been nominated for no fewer than three Juno Awards. Gogo has opened for such prestigious blues musicians as Johnnie Winter, B.B. King and Albert Collins. His albums have been released in 11 countries.

Also joining David as a new act this year is Juno-Award nominee Carolyn Mark of Victoria. Here is how a New York newspaper described Carolyn’s music:

So authentic in its back porch vibe, it seems to come with its own direct link to Loretta Lynn’s ’60s heyday – like her heroes, Mark is not afraid to rail against a man too drunk to understand his own f***-ups. Not to say Mark is some kind of saint: Her gigs are known for their off-balance candor and ribald humor as much as the homespun tunes. Go for the music, stay for the dirty jokes.

We first caught Carolyn’s music at the recent benefit concert for the Pender Islands Farmland Acquisition Project and couldn’t pass her up. Early k.d. lang comes to mind when we listen to Carolyn’s country-punk music. We think you’ll love her.

Also returning this year are Winestock regulars, NewYork’s Dave Rave, formerly of legendary punk band, Teenage Head, and Vancouver singer/songwriter Wyckham Porteous, whom Rolling Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham called “Leonard Cohen meets Harry Dean Stanton.” Also perennial favorite Leslie Alexander joins Winestock again with her side-kick, Calgary’s Jenny Allen who sings with The Fates.

Pender’s own Big House Voodoo Blues Band brings its huge 8-piece sound to our concert bowl. There is no better venue for this band. Having added a 3-piece horn section, Big House Voodoo fills the Valley with music like no one around.

Food kiosks, an artisan market, and some of the best wines around fill out an experience that promises to cap a fabulous summer. See you there!

Be sure to reserve your space aboard BC Ferries as soon as you can.

For further information, contact Morning Bay Vineyard at 250-629-8351 or www.morningbay.ca

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