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The Nanaimo Blues Invasion is back for round two in Coombs

Three bands return after successful first invasion in May
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Members of the three Nanaimo Blues Invasion bands perform at the first blues invasion performance at Coombs Rodeo Hall in May. The three-group performance will be back in Coombs Sept. 30. — Submitted by Mike Mallon

Three blues-crazy bands are back in Coombs for another round of Nanaimo Blues Invasion.

The three-group performance including the Mark Crissinger Band, Renovation Blues Band and Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners, was first kicked off May 13 after Mark Crissinger came up with the idea as a response to the dwindling presence of blues in the area.

Faced with fewer gigs, Crissinger’s band teamed up with friends and fellow performers from Renovation Blues and the Recliners to organize a show themselves, said Lazy Mike himself, Mike Mallon.

So was born the Nanaimo Blues Invasion, performing at Coombs Rodeo Hall.

“The first (show) was so well received and such a success, we figured we should follow up with a second one,” said Mallon.

He said he’s seen an uptick in bookings for the bands — one of the goals of the event, but said he still hopes to take the invasion show to other parts of Vancouver Island, other islands and the mainland.

The second Nanaimo Blues Invasion show takes place Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8 p.m. to midnight at Coombs Rodeo Hall.

Tickets are $20 (adults only) and can be purchased at the Coombs Store, Cranky Dog Music in Parksville and Arbutus Music in Nanaimo.

— NEWS Staff