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Beachfest rocks in Parksville: music from all decades

Enablers have a combined century of music experience
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Summer sounds of the Island could be heard on Friday as Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners kicked off the Parksville Beach Festival Summer Concert Series

Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners kicked off the Parksville Beach Festival Summer Concert Series Friday, July 17.

A large crowd was on hand for the free event at Parksville Community Park.

Several people brought lawn chairs and blankets while others danced on the grass in front of the picnic shelter.

Next up is the Enablers who will perform Friday, July 24.

The Enablers are an explosive four-piece party rockin’ dance band that knows a few things about entertaining a crowd. Their brand of sax fuelled high energy dance music has graced the stage of many a venue up and down Vancouver Island, always leaving a long trail of spent dancers in their wake.

Combined, the band has more than 100 years live music experience. Individually they have all played in numerous bands in the area including Gravy Train, Rubber Soul, Sons of Guns and Wavelength, to name a few.

The Enablers play all types of music, including rock, blues, reggae, country, southern rock, blues rock, disco and more, often putting their own twist on songs.

The local party dance band consists of Wes Weldon on guitars and vocals, Stuart Parenteau on bass and vocals, Colin Perry on sax, keyboard, flute and vocals.  Rounding out the band is drummer Greg Harford. He recently took a hiatus from the group to play gigs on cruise ships but is now back with the guys and Weldon said they are looking forward to performing at the event.

“We are absolutely stoked about it.  It is always fun at the park,” he said.

All of the band’s musicians play multi-instruments and have a profound love and knowledge of music.

Their influences include everything from AC/DC to Zeppelin, and their mantra is to enable people to have a good time and to play every gig like it’s their last.

With Colin Perry on sax, flute, keyboard and vocals, and Stuart Parenteau on bass and vocals. Together the four-man group will play their usual set of rock, blues, reggae, country, southern rock, blues rock, disco and more starting at 6:30 p.m.

For the Enablers upcoming gig information visit:  http://theenablers.voodoomusic.com.

On Saturday night July 25, the Johnny Cash tribute band David James & Big River will perform at the picnic shelter.

On July 31, it is ‘80s rock band Remedy. On August 1, classic rock and dance cover band Big Daddy will be performing. On August 7, The Impalas will perform ‘50s and ‘60s dance tunes. On August 8, Boon Dock will play new country and classic rock. The Circus, who play new rock and top 40 covers, are scheduled for August 14.

On Saturday August 15 a stage will be set up on the kite field where The Timebenders will pay tribute to all kinds of bands from ‘50s rock n’ roll to the divas of the ‘90s.

The band members are well known for their impersonations of musical legends including Aretha Franklin and Abba.

The Parksville Beach Festival Summer Concert Series performances run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Picnic Shelter at the Parksville Community Park.