Steveston Folk Guild: Bringing Live Music to Steveston

©Dave McArthur—Dave McArthur (right) and Richard Sevigny of the Dusty Hillbillies.

Dave's whole family is in Canada now, but he heads to New Zealand almost every year on vacation. Since 2000, Dave has gathered people together at Murakami Boathouse [they now play at the Chinese Bunkhouse - D3] to listen to or play a wide range of music and song. The Folk Guild meets once a month, and at $8.00, it's an inexpensive night out. Spotlighting local artists from the Richmond and Vancouver area is what Dave loves best.

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"I grew up in the New Zealand Folk Scene," says Dave... "and early on was influenced by John Denver. Some other early folk heroes were Tom Rush & Tom Paxton, Peter Paul & Mary, De Danaan, Clannad and Runrig, a Celtic group from Scotland, Dougie Mclean & Eric Bogle are current favorites. Music is my passion, I can't let a day go by without picking up my guitar! I saw the Beatles live in 1963, couldn't hear a thing, it was a horrible sound, but it was huge! That's my claim to fame!"

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"It's not an old folks club," says Dave. "We've had performers as young as ten-years old, and as old as... well, there's no upper limit!" The Toth family—a Dad and his two young daughters—are regulars and popular performers, and the casual community atmosphere and historic venue beckon villagers to enjoy the musical sounds of Steveston.

©Dave McArthur—Dave McArthur (center) in his younger days with the Nomads Trio.

The Steveston Folk Guild is beautiful in its simplicity: Gathering people together to listen to live music in the intimate and unique setting of the Chinese Bunkhouse. It matters little what background or heritage you are, from Irish fiddlers to belly dancers, the Guild has it all.

Dave feels music is a big common denominator for most people and in this time we live in, the Folk Guild presents an evening for people to slow down and listen to stories set to music. "At some point, I'd like to incorporate spoken word into the program and push up to the next level, with a couple of other people carrying the vision for music in Steveston with me, focusing on local talent from Richmond and Steveston."

There's lots of synergy in the mainly acoustic performances, which takes you back to a time and place where Dolby® sound equipment didn't exist and you really did have to listen hard to hear what was being told. In the Guild's case, the audience is definitely listening and remembering songs and poems of the past, recalling the passage of time and swaying to an acoustic rhythm.

Steveston Folk Guild events are held on the third Thursday of every month, with the exception of December and January. Shows begin 7:30 pm at the Chinese Bunkhouse at Britannia Heritage Shipyard (at the foot of Railway Avenue on Westwater Drive). Tickets are $8.00 at the door or phone Dave at 604-272-9294 for more information. For more information visit the Steveston Folk Guild website at www.stevestonfolk.net. See you there!

Steveston Folk Guild News and upcoming events

I post all news and event information for Steveston Folk Guild right here. If you have attended any live shows hosted by the Steveston Folk Guild we would love to hear about your experiance and you are more than welcome to share them with us.

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