WHO: Bowen Boys
WHERE: Dubh Linn Gate
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, July 4 - 5
By Dana Michell
If you’ve had a pint at the Dubh Linn Gate, chances are you’ve hummed a tune or danced a jig to the Bowen Boys – an entertaining trio or duo (depending on who’s in town) featuring the entire smorgasbord of musical influences.
Heading the act is Bowen Island resident, Rob Thompson, who possesses a powerful voice and an extremely rhythmic guitar style. He has a huge repertoire to call on and has always appealed to a very wide audience.
The Hamilton, Ontario native cut his teeth performing for the apres-ski crowd in Banff, Alberta and Big White in Kelowna for many years before moving to the West Coast for gigs in Whistler, Vancouver and the island.
He regularly invites good friends on the music scene up to share the stage with him and this weekend will be no exception. Juno award winning banjo and bass player Cam Salay from the Paper Boys will join the Bowen Boys.
Together, Thompson and Salay combine a wealth of experiences to bring the crowd classic Celtic tunes and unique and danceable originals.
Each night is very different, while keeping with the Irish Pub tradition of sing-a-longs, dancing and good times.
But don’t expect the Bowen Boys to play a typical sing-a-long set – the boys are well known for launching into traditional Irish jigs, followed by a David Lindley tune such as "Jah Reggae", and finishing off with a ckassuc sing-a-long like "Barrett’s Privateers" by Stan Rogers.
Live music is free from 8 p.m. ‘til late.
