Thursday, June 4
An Evening of Guitar Storytelling with Adam Dobres
Thursday June 4, 7pm-9pm
Tickets: $35
Location: Heritage Church
Every song has a story, and every note carries a memory. In this intimate performance, Adam Dobres shares music shaped by heritage, travel, and human connection, including a moving tribute to his great-grandmother’s journey to Canada.
About:
Adam Dobres is a guitarist and composer known for expressive, story-driven instrumental music across folk, roots, and contemporary genres. He has toured and recorded with major artists and groups including The Wailin' Jennys, the Ruth Moody Band, Toni Childs, and Blue Rodeo-affiliated tours, and has performed on international stages such as the Royal Albert Hall.
His solo albums Orca’s Jig and Kin earned critical acclaim and multiple nominations, including Instrumental Artist of the Year at the West Coast Music Awards and recognition at the Vancouver Island Music Awards.
He has also been part of projects nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards and other national honours. In 2025, he premiered Freda’s Journey Suite with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, a large-scale orchestral work inspired by his family history. Dobres continues to blend fingerstyle guitar with orchestral and folk traditions in new recordings and collaborations into 2026.
Adam Dobres website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Friday, June 5
A Trip Through Time & Terroir: A Parksville Museum Sensory Writing Workshop
Friday June 5, 1-3pm
Tickets: $35
Location: Montrose Schoolhouse & Museum grounds
Stretch your imagination and hone your skills with this hands-on workshop for beginner through to advanced writers with award-winning author and experienced creative educator K.A. Wiggins!
We’ll take a tour of the past by way of our five (. . .or six?) senses, experimenting with tools and techniques to bring what we’re seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, hearing (and encountering across the decades?) alive on the page while we explore the Parksville Museum site.
Bring a hardback notebook and something to jot down your ideas as we explore and come ready to test your skills, immerse your senses in the wonders of our magical setting, and share your own insights! (Advisory: dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Light mobility required on paved or cleared, at-grade paths. Accommodations may be possible for those using mobility aides.)
K.A. Wiggins website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Femme Drum Stories and Soundscapes
Friday June 5, 7pm-9pm
Tickets: $20
Location: Heritage Church
Join Joy on Drums and friends for a night of soundscapes, deep listening, imagination journeys and narratives. We will share our stories and poems, to a soundtrack of live improvised music. Special Guests:
Varvara- Textile artist and storyteller
Diona Davies- violin musician
Nate Schmold- artist and musician
More about Joy On Drums
https://joyondrums.com/
More about Varvara
https://www.varvarastudio.ca/
More about Nate Schmold
https://3030.ca/
More about Diona Davies
https://eslband.wordpress.com/
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
While you're at the show, be sure to visit the group art exhibition in our Main Hall, From Many, One: The Story in Repetition, featuring artwork by Joy and Nate!
Saturday, June 6
READY, ACTION: Level Up Your Video Storytelling
Saturday June 6, 10am-1pm
Tickets: $50
Location: Montrose Schoolhouse
Learn how to tell better stories with the equipment you already have from an experienced professional videographer.With a background in news and documentary storytelling, Steve Hawkins leads this hands-on, three-hour workshop designed to help you create stronger, more engaging video using whatever you've got—whether it's an iPhone or a digital camera. We'll focus on practical skills like composition, lighting, sound, and how to shoot with editing in mind, without getting lost in technical details.
You'll leave with more confidence, a clearer sense of how to approach your stories, and simple techniques you can start using right away for personal projects and community storytelling.
Suggested equipment: iPhone or digital camera, tripod, and (if you have one) an iPhone holder and external microphone.
Instructor Bio
Steve Hawkins is a Denman Island–based videographer and storyteller with extensive experience in news, documentary, and community-focused media. His work spans advocacy, arts, and local storytelling. Known for his practical, accessible approach, Steve is passionate about helping people use video to share meaningful stories—no matter what equipment they have on hand.
Steve Hawkins website
Stirring Up Ghosts: Songs and Stories of Pacific Canada
Saturday June 6, 7pm-9pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
We’re excited to be hosting Bruce Coughlan and his captivating show Stirring Up Ghosts, a powerful musical storytelling journey that brings British Columbia’s history vividly to life through song.
Originally developed over 30 years ago alongside his work with Tiller’s Folly, this dynamic performance has evolved into an engaging blend of rich storytelling and unforgettable live music.
Stirring Up Ghosts website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Sunday, June 7
Bruce Coughlan's
Stirring Up Ghosts: Songs and Stories of Pacific Canada
Sunday June 7, 4pm-6pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
We’re excited to be hosting Bruce Coughlan and his captivating show Stirring Up Ghosts, a powerful musical storytelling journey that brings British Columbia’s history vividly to life through song.
Originally developed over 30 years ago alongside his work with Tiller’s Folly, this dynamic performance has evolved into an engaging blend of rich storytelling and unforgettable live music.
Stirring Up Ghosts website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Thursday, June 11
Stars in Their Eyes : Mid-Island Romance Authors Spill the Tea
Thursday June 11, 1pm-2:30pm
Tickets: $20
Location: Heritage Church
Love love? Celebrate the stories that keep your e-readers humming and your shelves groaning!Swoon to sweet-and-spicy readings of locally authored romance fiction that run the gamut from closed door to very much open, delve into behind-the-scenes insights from mid-island debuts, thriving indies, mother-daughter coauthors, and USA Today Bestellers with over 50 multi-genre books between them (and maybe get inspired to take up a pen yourself?), and ask your burning questions.
Book signing to follow. (Advisory: recommended for audiences 18+.)
Authors:
Dove Cavanaugh King
https://www.dovecavanaughkingbooks.com/
Kathleen Lawless
https://kathleenlawless.com/
Carissa Harper
https://www.carissaharper.com/
K.A. Wiggins
https://kaie.space/
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Special Event
with Unleashed Heart Theatre
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
Friday, June 12
A Generation of Women
Friday June 12, 7-9pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
A Generation of Women is a compelling one-woman play by Kymme Patrick, weaving together the stories of five generations of women who shaped Vancouver Island communities through resilience, ambition, and change.
Blending history with humour and insight, the performance brings these characters to life in a seamless, multi-role portrayal that explores the evolving roles of women across the twentieth century.
BIOGRAPHY:
Kymme Patrick is an acclaimed actor, director, and playwright whose work has earned numerous Theatre BC awards across all areas of production.
Known for her dynamic one-woman performances, she brings multiple characters to life through quick transitions and layered costumes.
Her celebrated piece A Generation of Women continues to resonate with audiences, especially among women sharing the experience with family and friends.
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Saturday, June 13
From Research to Story: Writing and Sharing your Family History with author and archivist Sonia Nicholson
Saturday June 13, 1 - 3pm
Tickets: $20
Location: Montrose Schoolhouse
You've compiled the names, dates, and places and gathered photographs. But how do you transform those facts and images into an engaging story?In this workshop, we will review archival resources and types of materials to enrich your family story. Going beyond basic genealogical information, we will also explore setting, voice, and the use of nostalgia and details to add colour to your writing. We will also look at how to bring these elements together through real examples of strong storytelling from museums and archives, family historians, and other sources. Finally, we will discuss paths and platforms for sharing your story, from digital, no- or low-cost options, to printing and publishing.
BIOGRAPHY:
Sonia Nicholson is a Victoria, BC–based archivist and author with over 17 years of experience across community, corporate, and religious archives. She currently serves as Archivist for the Log Cabin Museum and works with private clients and organizations. A storyteller at heart, her writing explores memory and identity and has appeared in numerous literary publications, and she also mentors emerging writers in craft and the publishing industry.
Sonia Nicholson website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
A Generation of Women
Saturday June 13, 7-9pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
A Generation of Women is a compelling one-woman play by Kymme Patrick, weaving together the stories of five generations of women who shaped Vancouver Island communities through resilience, ambition, and change.Blending history with humour and insight, the performance brings these characters to life in a seamless, multi-role portrayal that explores the evolving roles of women across the twentieth century.
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Sunday, June 14
Second Sunday Artisan Market
Sunday June 14, 11am -4pm
Admission by Donation
Location: Parksville Museum grounds
Enjoy a vibrant artisan market, live music, and the beautiful gardens and grounds of the museum.
Bring family or friends to explore the exhibits, play some outdoor games, and learn about Parksville’s history.
Grab a snack or a book from the gift shop and soak up the summer atmosphere.
Solstice Celebration with Eileen McGann
Sunday June 14, 7-9pm
Tickets: $35
Location: Heritage Church
Celebrate the magic of the Summer Solstice in song with Juno and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee Eileen McGann!For more than four decades, acclaimed Celtic singer and songwriter Eileen McGann has enchanted audiences with her soaring voice and dynamic, percussive guitar style—breathing new life into traditional songs while crafting original music that echoes with the spirit of centuries past.
We’re delighted to welcome Eileen to the Storyteller Festival and honoured to present this special pre–Summer Solstice concert, leading up to our larger community celebration on June 21.
Join us for an evening of powerful storytelling, rich musical tradition, and joyful connection.
While you're at the show, be sure to visit the group art exhibition in our Main Hall, From Many, One: The Story in Repetition, featuring three of Eileen’s paintings.
Eileen McGann website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Thursday, June 18
Story Slam & Story Writing for Performance Workshop
Thursday June 18, 1-4pm
Tickets: $35
Location: Montrose School + possible other spaces on site
Come explore your voice as a storyteller, write a story for the stage, and maybe even get the chance to share it at our Story Slam & Story Writing for Performance Workshop!
This 3 hour workshop by Leah Erdos will introduce you to the basics of the Story Slam, take you through writing your own 3-5 minute long story, and will invite 5-7 participants to share their stories in our own mini-slam - performers and their order will be decided in the very technically advanced bowler method (ie names will be pulled from a hat!)
The workshop is great for those looking to explore their voices and dip their toes into the Story Slam world! No experience necessary!
Bring a paper and pen if you prefer analogue writing! Devices are also welcome!
BIOGRAPHY:
Leah Erdos is a chronically ill artist and arts educator with over a decade of experience in theatre, education, and community arts.
She holds an MA in Applied Theatre and works with diverse communities, encouraging storytelling and shared voices.
An avid performer, she was a finalist in the 2025 Vancouver Story Slam Championship at the Vogue and is passionate about fostering community through storytelling.
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Steve Somers: Folk Songs & Stories
Thursday June 18, 7-9pm
Tickets: $30
Location: Heritage Church
Join us for an unforgettable evening with award-winning songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Somers.
Originally from Prince Edward Island and now based in BC’s Lower Mainland, he captivates audiences coast to coast with songs rich in real-life characters, heartbreak, hilarity, and humanity—often sharing the stories behind them.
Blending Americana, bluegrass, and East Coast influences, Steve delivers a dynamic, engaging performance you won’t want to miss.
Thursday June 18, 7-9pm
Tickets: $30
Location: Heritage Church
Join us for an unforgettable evening with award-winning songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Steve Somers.
Originally from Prince Edward Island and now based in BC’s Lower Mainland, he captivates audiences coast to coast with songs rich in real-life characters, heartbreak, hilarity, and humanity—often sharing the stories behind them.
Blending Americana, bluegrass, and East Coast influences, Steve delivers a dynamic, engaging performance you won’t want to miss.
Steve Somers website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.Friday, June 19
Magic, Mystery & Mayhem: Local Settings Through the Looking Glass
Friday June 19, 1-2:30pm
Tickets: $20
Location: Heritage Church
Supernatural British Columbia takes a magical turn with these mid-island speculative fiction authors writing SFF/H versions of local settings.Explore the ripples, cracks, and reversals in how local storytellers represent familiar faces, moments, and landscapes with unexpected imagination, uncanny possibility, eerie hauntings, and beyond—and get inspired to dig beneath the surface of your own story and surroundings.
This panel discussion will include short readings, insights into the writers’ process, and time for Q&A followed by book signings.
Authors:
Kim Bannerman
https://www.kbannerman.com/
K.A. Wiggins
https://kaie.space/
Kate Gateley
https://kategateley.com/
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Murder and Mayhem in Story and Song
Friday June 19, 7-9pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
Step into a world of murder ballads, forbidden love, and dark tales passed down through generations.Performed by Norma Cameron and Susan Warner of the Mid-Island Storytellers, this engaging show reimagines the tradition—centering and empowering the women in these stories, with a touch of wit and audience participation along the way.
Mid-Island Storytellers website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.Saturday, June 20
Dream of Fairyland: Circus History in 1920's BC
Saturday June 20, 2-3:30pm
Admission by Donation
Location: Heritage Church
Join author Kim Bannerman on a journey through entertainment history as she tells circus stories from 1920's British Columbia.
In 2020, Bannerman wrote the historical mystery 'Truly the Devil's Work', in which Rose the Tattooed Lady is accused of murder in Esquimalt, BC. Since then, the Circus Salmagundi series has grown to include six novels which follow the adventures of a nautical circus around Vancouver Island.
In her books, the Circus Salmagundi is based on a real travelling animal show which operated between 1916 and 1925, and which provided entertainment to remote coastal villages around the Salish Sea. At this presentation, learn more about the circus acts, musical bands, and sparkling personalities that inspired the characters in Bannerman's novels.
BIOGRAPHY:
Kim Bannerman lives and writes in Cumberland, BC. Her first historical mystery novel, 'Bucket of Blood', was written with the support of the Canada Council of the Arts, and her current project, the Circus Salmagundi mystery series, is deeply rooted in the local history of various Vancouver Island communities. For non-fiction anthologies, she was a contributor to 'When Birds are Near' (Cornell University Press, 2020), 'A Place Called Cumberland' (Figure One, 2024), and 'In the Company of Animals' (Nimbus Press, 2014).
Kim Bannerman website
NOTE: This talk is by donation to the Parksville Museum (thanks, Kim!). No need to 'buy a ticket', or register in advance! Kim is one of our ongoing authors, with work available year-round in our gift shop.
Murder and Mayhem in Story and Song
Saturday June 20, 7-9pm
Tickets: $25
Location: Heritage Church
Step into a world of murder ballads, forbidden love, and dark tales passed down through generations.Performed by Norma Cameron and Susan Warner of the Mid-Island Storytellers, this engaging show reimagines the tradition—centering and empowering the women in these stories, with a touch of wit and audience participation along the way.
Mid-Island Storytellers website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Sunday, June 21
Solstice Celebration at the Museum
Sunday June 21, 11am-3pm
Admission by Donation
Location: Parksville Museum
Celebrate the magic of the Summer Solstice at this special community event, honoring the longest day of the year with creativity, connection, and joy. Explore crafts inspired by solstice traditions from around the world, from sun-themed art to nature-based creations, and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities designed for all ages.Spend the day outdoors soaking up the sunshine, take part in interactive experiences, and learn about the cultural and seasonal significance of the solstice across different communities. Whether you’re crafting, playing, or simply relaxing in a welcoming atmosphere, this event is a chance to connect with nature, celebrate the height of summer, and share in the warmth of community.
More details coming soon!
Thursday, June 25
A Creative Pop-Up Book Workshop: Artfully Alleviate Anxiety
Thursday June 25, 11am-1pm
Tickets: $49
Location: Montrose Schoolhouse
Artfully Alleviate Anxiety invites participants into a hands-on workshop where they create a pop-up book while learning art-based emotional regulation tools.This engaging, curriculum-aligned experience supports well-being through creativity and is designed for both children (7+) and adult audiences.
Presented by Christy Herdman of CRATE Art Therapy.
CRATE website
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Friday, June 26
From Many, One: The Story in Repetition
On through Sunday June 28
Location: Parksville Museum Main Hall
From Many, One: The Story in Repetition is an exhibition that explores themes of multiples, repetition, series, and accumulation.
Featuring 15 artists from across British Columbia, the exhibition brings together diverse approaches across media, reflecting on the relationship between the singular and the collective, and the stories that unfold through repeated forms, actions, and cycles.
Featuring artwork by:
Laara Cerman, Francine Champagne, Jamie Girouard, Melanie Golder, David Harvey, Aaron Johannes, Jenny Judge, Joy Machuga, Donna Mattila, Eileen McGann, Tilly McLeod, Temira Nicholls, Nate Schmold, Helena Wadsley, Ian Warren
Many of the artists in this exhibition are offering talks, activities, and workshops.
More details coming soon!
Saturday, June 27
Pollinator Palooza: The Story of Pollinators!
Saturday June 27, 11am - 3pm
Admission By Donation
Location: Parksville Museum
Celebrate all things pollinator at this special community event marking the end of Pollinator Week!Join us for a day of discovery and connection as we explore the vital role pollinators play in our local ecosystems. Participate in a guided pollinator walk, enjoy hands-on activities for kids, and chat with knowledgeable experts about native plants, bees, butterflies, and more. Learn how you can support pollinator health at home and in your community while celebrating the beauty and diversity of local ecology.
This family-friendly event is a great way to get outside, learn something new, and connect with others who care about the environment.
More details coming soon!
WARPED
Saturday June 27, 7pm-9pm
Tickets: $30 | $25 (students & seniors)
Location: Heritage Church
WARPED is the hilarious story of a retired space captain who helps the audience escape the traumatizing earth.
They quickly jettison their emotional baggage and then volunteer to become crew members to help navigate the ship safely. The captain is obstinately galactic who knows everything and is very capable...or is he?
More Info
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
Sunday, June 28
SPACED OUT
Sunday June 28, 2pm-3pm
Tickets: $25 | $15 (students & seniors)
Location: Heritage Church
Blast off! Join Captain Ollie B. Calm and his grandson, Sprocket, as they find themselves accidentally launched into an interstellar adventure, inviting the audience along for an exciting starship mission. In this fun, interactive kids and family show, audience members become the crew, improvising creative solutions to cosmic challenges that stir up a little emotional turbulence along the way.Featuring an out-of-this-world steampunk set, whimsical props, and dynamic sound effects, SPACED OUT is a playful, imaginative journey perfect for all ages.
More info
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.
WARPED
Sunday June 28, 7pm-9pm
Tickets: $30 | $25 (students & seniors)
Location: Heritage Church
WARPED is the hilarious story of a retired space captain who helps the audience escape the traumatizing earth.
They quickly jettison their emotional baggage and then volunteer to become crew members to help navigate the ship safely. The captain is obstinately galactic who knows everything and is very capable...or is he?
More Info
Tickets available online, in person during regular museum hours, or 60 min prior to showtime at the doors if not sold out in advance.