If you love to listen to, learn about, or take part in amazing musical experiences there’s a new music venue in Coombs that is creating some buzz and a party is being thrown this weekend to celebrate its opening.
The Soundgarden is located in a former church annex turned music hall on the Coombs fairground property and is a place where musicians can hang out and connect with other music lovers in District 69. Although the venue has been open for acoustic jams, music seminars and clinics for a few weeks now, the founders of the The Soundgarden want make it official and are inviting the public out to a music packed grand opening on Saturday, March 10 from 4:30 to 11 p.m.
Shelley Beeston and Sharon Tomczyk are the inspiration behind The Soundgarden.
The pair see the building as a learning space as well as an intimate music venue for house-style concerts.
Beeston said their goal is to bring musicians together and inspire those who want to get involved in the music scene.
Tomczyk said it is a place for musicians and singers of all skill levels and Saturday’s event has a wide variety of talent from jazz to rock.
At 5 p.m. The Enablers will get the party started with some sizzling hot danceable rock, reggae, blues and country covers.
At 6 p.m. the Qualicum Beach Middle School band jazz combo takes to the stage. The up and coming musicians will perform some cool jazz stylings.
Butterside Down will play a mix of original and covers of folk and rock tunes at 7 p.m.
Counting Time with Sharon Tomczyk, Hugh Yardley and Chris Raines play up beat contemporary blues rock staring at 8 p.m.
Shelly Beeston who has been the lead singer for local rock group Baby Jane for 15 years will perform some original tunes unplugged with and Robert Pegg at 9 p.m.
The night will end with an open stage jam where everyone is welcome to jam out the night in style.
Tomczyk said they have already had some awesome jams and everyone is feeling good about the new space.
“Its been great. We have had lots of people dropping in and asking questions and coming to the jams. Some things will take time to build...but so far we are ecstatic with the response we have had,” said Tomczyk.
The grand opening March 10 gets going at 4:30 p.m. with an official ribbon cutting. All activities scheduled for the venue are listed on the website at www.thesoundgarden.org. You can also find updates on their Facebook page.