Marie and Adrien Bachand of Beacon Ridge Productions, in cooperation with Recreation Oak Bay, have been building up this concert series for the past six years. The venue, The Upstairs Lounge (also known as the Sportsview Lounge) at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, is home to the popular concert series that runs Fridays and some Saturday nights from mid-September to mid-May.
“It’s finally at a place where it is getting known,” Sportsview Bar and Grill Food and Beverage Supervisor Linda Regan said.
The shows take place in the facility’s fully licensed Sports View Lounge. The venue is “totally transformed into a nice show setting, complete with stage, backdrop, professional sound and lighting equipment.” All the windows have black out panels, tables are covered with linens and tables are topped with a candle light. Patrons are commenting it’s a nice ambiance.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the dinner portion of the event. “Every week I do a different set menu,” said Regan. “We have everything from appetizers to full roast beef dinners.” After dinner, it’s time for the main event: the concert.
Marie and Adrien Bachand of the boutique concert production firm Beacon Ridge Productions are responsible for starting the series and booking the lineup, which Regan said has regulars coming back every week. “We sell out a lot of the shows,” she said. “Tickets do go fast.”
“If people are serious music lovers, they would love this venue,” Regan said. “It really is a true listening venue and that’s what people come here to do.”
The Bachands have been heavily involved in the music industry for over 14 years and have presented many Juno and Grammy award-winning and nominated artists since starting the series.
Marie highlights upcoming December concerts Matt Patershuk with Steve Dawson and Friends on Dec. 6, and Charlie Hunter and Lucy Woodward on Dec. 7, leading up to the New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance with Groove Kitchen.
The New Year’s Eve event will feature a buffet-style, multi-course dinner and dancing to Victoria’s funk and soul music masters, Groove Kitchen. Last year’s event sold out early, so it’s a good idea to get tickets well ahead. They’re available at Oak Bay Recreation Centre at 1975 Bee St., in person or by calling 250-595-7946, or online at www.beaconridgeproductions.com.
