Submitted by Kootenay Co-op Radio
Kootenay Co-op Radio/93.5 FM and the community that supports it are ready to reunite, celebrate, and rock around the block.
This Saturday, May 28, KCR is holding a free festival at Nelson’s Lions Park — a family friendly event with food, live music, dance performances and all sorts of kids events.
The Block Party, which starts at 3 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m., wraps up the highly successful KCR Live! music series.
“KCR Live! featured over 60 local artists over 24 live shows produced and broadcast from the newly renovated main floor of the station,” says KCR sponsorship and membership co-ordinator Amélie Sauquet-Davidson. “The series was a major contributor to the West Kootenay’s independent music scene.”
Saturday’s party will also kicks off KCR’s vital annual membership drive.
“Memberships and sponsorship support are vital to the station’s success,” Sauquet-Davidson adds.
The Block Party will feature four different musical acts, including jazz band LVJ5, blues trio Hurrie Brown and Walker, latin musical band The Latin Lovers, and hybrid electronic group Chimp It — plus a latin dance performance with Fabiola from Orange Bridge Dance.
There’s entertainment for the kids too, including face painting and henna, as well as a bouncy castle.
Block partiers can also purchase delicious food from local vendors Simply Siam, Holy Crêpes, and Gina’s Gelato.
“Bring your picnic blankets and lounge chairs,” says Sauquet-Davidson, “and enjoy the afternoon at Lions Park — you’ll be helping support local music, voices and views with the Kootenay’s longest serving community radio station, launched way back in 1999.”
After the party, the celebration moves to Finley’s Bar and Grill for the Kootenay Blues Society’s Blues, Brews and BBQ, showtime begins at 8 p.m.
“This is the eighth Annual Blues, Brews and BBQ event,” says longtime KCR blues program host Richard Metzner. “And it’s always been an important fundraiser for Kootenay Co-op Radio.”
The local business community is providing significant support for the Block Party — including Louis Fortier Design, Kootenay Coop Grocery Store, Popov Leather, The Blindman, Inland Allcare, Thor’s Pizza, Oso Negro, and the Nelson Lions Club.