A new music venue is coming to Cortes Island. The Blues Barn will open its doors, beside the store in Squirrel Cove, on Tuesday, October 31. 

“We notice there’s a lack of opportunity for community involvement on Cortes. We figured that since the last event we hosted, volleyball, is starting to die down, we need something new to bring to the community and to bring entertainment back to this side of the island. We figured that for the colder season, the Blues Barn would be a great opportunity to bring the community together and to have some fun,” explained Chase Cunningham, from the Squirrel Cove General Store.

CC: Who is ‘we?’

Chase: “‘We’ is currently the Squirrel Cove Store, Scotty Martin and the Cortes Rebels, but we are looking to branch out and get other influences – maybe from band members on Quadra – in the future.”

CC: Cortes Rebels is a band? 

Scotty Martin replied, ”Yes we are. The Cortes Rebels featuring Drivin’ on drums, Michael Keith on guitar, and myself on bass, but we’re interchangeable.”

“Michael Keith grew up in Toronto. He’s been playing as a full time musician his whole life and just moved to Cortes ten years ago. Michael Keith is a blues man extraordinaire. This man is known Canada wide, an incredible musician. Michael’s not a walk behinder, he’s a new note finder. He likes to advance his musical skills daily. There hasn’t been a day that Michael and I played together that he’s played the same. He’s always improving.”

“Drivin’ on the drums, this guy was playing in bands like from 1963. This guy was there when it was happening and both these men are full time musicians.”

”I, myself, toured for 24 years before I got my first day job, so between us we have centuries of experience.  We can play up to 500 songs easily, kid stuff. You want to see some guys play some good music, you just shout out a song and we’ll play it for you.” 

“I’m going to be the host, the front man. Chase is the band manager.  Sandy Hoffman is  going to work the door.  We also want Wolfman Jake to be involved in this.” 

“This is Rock and Roll edginess that a lot of people don’t get or understand. So if you want to really come and have fun, this is where you’re going to come.  

“Every Thursday night there will be ‘Thursday Night Jam.’ Anyone who wants to come and jam, they’re allowed to come in and play. It’s a $10 cover charge to get in. There are tons of great musicians on this island that will come and jam. Sit in that old barn, and just be entertained like no other place on the planet.” 

“There’s bathrooms, of course, and lots of parking. Come and have fun.”
“Maybe one Saturday a month, we are going to plan on getting some acts off island. I know John Gogo is interested. The four girls from Quadra, Willow: They’re a good act. I know a lot of acts that used to come and play at the Gorge when I ran that for six years.  We have lots of acts that want to come and play and it’ll be great for the community.”

CC: Why are you moving here to Squirrel Cove? 

Scotty: “Well, Curt’s a rebel, Chase is a rebel: this is a rebel spot. This is a good spot. We had done the Thursday night jams at the restaurant and they were a huge success.  They ended when summertime came. The Blues Barn holds more people, and is a bit more rustic. You can come and have fun and Squirrel Cove needs us. This is great.”

Chase: “There’s going to be extra activities such as small carnival games and extra activities like the volleyball court.”  

Scotty: “There’s going to be some 50-50 draws.” 

Chase: “There will also be a communal barbecue and some campground fire pits in case anyone wants to do cooking or have a fire. The Squirrel Cove Store will also be open late in case anyone needs to grab groceries or booze, or whatnot.”

CC: When’s opening night? 

Chase: “It’s going to be Halloween night, the 31st of October, and it will be a family friendly show. We figure that if we open it up to all ages for the first night, then the parents can bring their kids and have a good after Halloween celebrational party.”

Top image credit: Guitar – Photo by Matt Clark via Flickr (CC BY 2.0 DEED)

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