Free concerts after dark from Kokanee Freeride series

The free concerts at this year’s Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival aren’t just outdoors.

The Kokanee Freeride series is hosting free shows in Whistler pubs and clubs nightly.

That’s right. Free. No tickets necessary.

Many of the bands are doing double duty performing with the DKNY//Jeans Outdoor Concerts, which are taking place in the afternoons and in the evenings during the ski and snowboard big air competitions. But there are several performances unique to the Kokanee series.

While primarily an after dark series, Freeride also features legendary Whistler duo the Hairfarmers performing après-ski sets on both festival weekends.

The following is a quick look at this year’s Kokanee Freeride lineup.

Local acoustic duo The Hairfarmers play an après-ski set at Merlin’s. If it’s sunny out, you know Guitar Doug and Grateful Greg will have the patio rockin’.

After dark, groovy eight-piece ensemble the Pocket Dwellers take over the Garibaldi Lift Co.

The Hairfarmers do après on Citta’s patio.

The Hairfarmers move on to do après at Dusty’s. Vancouver hip-hop groovy girl Kia Kadiri throws down at Merlin’s Sunday night.

The series swings over to Garfinkel’s for a night of beats by Montreal DJ/ Producer Grandtheft’s Groundwerk project and rhymes by MC Kyprios of Island hip-hop crew Sweatshop Union.

Two after-dark shows: Buffalo Bill’s has Cranbrook pop-rock cuties Lillix in the house and Island singer/songwriter Allison Crowe performs at the Crab Shack.

Two after dark shows: Seattle post-punk/alt-rock trio The Senate Arcade rocks out at Maxx Fish and MC Kilo Cee throws down in the basement of the Savage Beagle.

The Hairfarmers do après at Merlin’s. In the evening DJ Vinyl Ritchie and MC Curtis Santiago take over Tommy Africa’s.

The Hairfarmers do après at Citta’s, and in the evening legendary local band She Stole My Beer plays groovy jams at the Boot Pub.

The Hairfarmers are back on the patio at Merlin’s for après. Later in the evening the whole shebang wraps up with an epic party at the Longhorn.

Rock prodigy added to outdoor concert series

Ten-year-old electric guitar player/songwriter Danny Sveinson has been added to the diverse lineup of musical acts in the DKNY//Jeans Outdoor Concert series.

Known as the "rock ’n’ roll kid" the pint-sized player from Surrey will throw down his Hendrix-like licks on the Whistler Village stage during the Skier Big Air competition on April 24.

Sveinson will not be the only minor in the lineup that evening. Vancouver afro-rhythm youth ensemble Jabulani is also scheduled to perform.

For more information on music events at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival go to www.whistler2004.com.