Jack Gibson entertained people on lower Commercial St. on Friday, July 23 to kick off a live music series staged by the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

high note

Live summer music series takes the stage in downtown Nanaimo

Jul 25, 2021 | 6:44 AM

NANAMO — Live music is adding to notably increased vibrancy in downtown Nanaimo as pandemic restrictions continually ease.

The Downtown Nanaimo Business Association created a summer corner concert series, featuring rotating solo and duo artists entertaining mid day crowds along the Commercial St. core Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s.

Artists are entertaining passerby’s between 11:30 am and 1:30 p.m through the summer.

DNBA coordinator Valentina Cardinalli told NanaimoNewsNOW the time was right to add to downtown’s positive energy as more locals and tourists converge on the area.

“It just feels celebratory…We have been in a pandemic lockdown and things have lifted a little bit, and downtown, lets face it, has been hit.”

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Diana Krall Plaza, Museum Way and the National Land Building will serve as the primary locations for the live music series, involving several local artists.

Cardinalli said the musicians are paid a fair wage and placed in locations where their musical styles will mesh well with nearby businesses.

“We have people (performing) from different economic backgrounds, different ages, genders, races and different musical styles,” Cardinalli said.

Gabriola Island’s Jack Gibson was the debut artist in front of Serious Coffee on Friday, July 23.

The newly formed DNBA recently gained access to an annual tax levy amounting to roughly $150,000 from 250 businesses to support downtown events and entice more people to the area.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes