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Martinis, music on offer at renovated Crab Shack

WHAT: Crab Shack Music Festival WHERE: Crab Shack WHEN: Oct. 29-Nov. 4 The Crab Shack’s fourth annual music festival brings legends to the locals in a newly renovated bar environment known as The Shack.

WHAT: Crab Shack Music Festival

WHERE: Crab Shack

WHEN: Oct. 29-Nov. 4

The Crab Shack’s fourth annual music festival brings legends to the locals in a newly renovated bar environment known as The Shack.

Bar manager Eli Milenkoff was brought in this fall to help develop The Shack’s new face and the music/entertainment lineup for the ski season. Milenkoff hopes this year’s week-long festival showcases what the bar has to offer, including a cosy second space for locals apres ski or work.

Opening night Monday, Oct. 29 brings Peter Tosh favourites and Bob Marley covers with Vancouver’s ska/reggae band Dubfreque, beginning at 9 p.m. The band performs on the Shack’s new raised stage, located in the central part of the room for great viewing. Candles twinkling on tables and comfy booths in bold colours help get you and your guests all warmed up and starry-eyed.

Tuesday Oct. 30, come get shaken and stirred with the music of Calgary’s Wil Mimnaugh while the open contest for best Martini – the jazz era cocktail of choice – gets underway. Who mixes the best Dean and crantini in town? Pop in your Cocktail video and your best hippy hippy shake for up to $400 in prizes. You’ll be mixing live behind the bar for a team of mystery judges. Rumour has it the Cosmopolitan still holds top spot.

Wednesday offers the 2001 spooky Halloween bash, with the usual prizes for your best Elvira, Mummy or John Wayne garb. Another set from Mimnaugh gets the room hopping.

On Thursday Pete of the Whole Damn County performs at the Dine 4 WAG benefit, featuring a four-course meal for $20. Proceeds from the dinner go to the animal-friendly association, justifying a night out for charity.

Highlighting the week is Bobby Bruce presenting his one man show Nearly Neil, the Neil Diamond Tribute. Come hear him "reachin out, touchin me and touchin you" as you start your weekend off with lost favourites from the legendary ladykiller. Now a full time promoter of Diamond’s song writing era from 1970 to 1980, Bruce got his start in dinner theatre in Vancouver and can’t seem to get enough of pseudo-sideburns.

The Nearly Neil show sold out at this year’s PNE, drawing 6,000 fans of the bellbottom decade. Bruce will be belting out classics like Song Sung Blue and the unstoppable crowd singalong, Sweet Caroline.

As part of another show titled, The Shagadelic Swingers Baby Yeah, Bruce re-enacts Mike Meyer’s brilliance with songs from Austin Powers .

Saturday, Nov. 3 The Shack features Solid Earth, formerly known as Darkstar, the local band that plays classic covers from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan, and Grateful Dead. Come here Uncle John’s Band and enjoy complimentary pasta from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Sunday kick back on the patio with the sounds of Whole Damn County with opening act Pete, beginning at 7:45 p.m.

Melinkoff adds that the festival offers a taste of what’s to come this winter – keep your eyes peeled for upcoming lunch specials for locals.