A Kitchen Party in Qualicum Bay on Feb. 1 will feature a local Celtic band, highland dancers, Irish fare and a night of dancing.
It’s a Ceilidh and it’s being held by the Bowser Seniors Housing Society (BSHS) to help members in their quest to build affordable housing in Bowser.
“It’s basically trying to bring the community together and recognize the need (for affordable senior’s housing). And this is a way to do that and have some fun at the same time,” said vice president of the society and fundraising chair, Eileen Beadle.
Celtic Chaos will perform at the event held at the Lighthouse Community Hall, along with some other local musicians, and there will be a caller for the traditional Ceilidh dance steps.
No experience is necessary as the steps are easy to learn, Beadle said.
The Oceanside Scottish Country Dancers will perform at the event, traditional Irish Stew will be served and drinks will be available.
Beadle moved to the area from the Maritimes four years ago and said she knows Ceilidhs are a lot of fun. She’s also aware that many people in the Bowser area want to stay in that area as they age, she said, and they want to live somewhere that is affordable.
The BSHS has launched a Building Bricks campaign where businesses are asked to buy a brick which will be installed into the housing project when it is built.
BSHS has a goal of raising $200,000 and after a year of fundraising the group still has a very long way to go.