On August 17, 18 & 19, Cumberland hosts The Big Time Out. Based on the 1 day Cumberland Village Works Festival that delighted 2000 fans on Labour Day in 2005, this 3 day show promises to be the entertainment highlight of the year. The Big Time Out is 3 days on 1 stage and will take place in the Cumberland Village Park, featuring international talent commonly performing in large urban venues like the Commodore Ballroom & Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park.
Friday, August 17th
Friday night's headliner will be Corb Lund. Cumberland has watched Corb's career sky rocket. Not too many years ago he played the Waverley and then returned to the Abbey. Now he headlines the biggest festivals in Canada and is regularly playlisted on CMT and radio stations worldwide. Sharing the bill with Corb are Ridley Bent, Big John Bates and the Voodoo Dolls, The Jimmy Bowskill Band. Your host for the evening is none other than the inimitable Carolyn Mark. The Friday evening concert runs from 5-11pm.
Saturday, August 18th
Saturday runs from 1pm until 1am. Michael Franti & Spearhead return to headline this day. This band is the top indie hip hop / reggae act currently touring the planet and Michael is an ambassador for compassion and sanity in the very disturbing political maelstrom that destroys more of the globe every day. He toured Iraq and played for villagers and soldiers alike. This experience yielded material for Yell Fire! (Spearhead's latest disc) and I Know I'm Not Alone (a film chronicling his time in the Middle East). A highlight of the 2005 performance was certainly the moment when Michael invited Catherine Arnold (then 12 year old Cumberland student) to sing Never Too Late. Catherine had rehearsed this Spearhead song for a school music program and vig schulman (having heard her perform it at a community function months earlier) arranged the duet. Sharing the bill with Spearhead is Sly & Robbie with a 15 piece reggae act coming out of Jamaica for a whirlwind North American tour. Headlining Reggae on the River in California this group features Horace Andy (the voice of Massive Attack) & Taxi. Included is Cherine Anderson (one of Jamaica's prominent contemporary female singers). Also on the Saturday lineup are performances by Mihirangi, Five Alarm Funk, Greenlaw Ave, Noises From The Toolshed, Pascale Picard and hosts Beats Without Borders.
Sunday, August 19th
Xavier Rudd has been added to Sunday's lineup!!
Sunday runs from noon until 11pm and features another full day of stellar entertainment. Sarah Harmer and her band will take the stage in the evening. Sarah has thrilled audiences world wide and is considered to be one of Canada's finest contemporary singer/songwriters. Her Juno awards, media accolades and extensive album sales are only surpassed by her very compelling live performances. The support list includes Hey Ocean, Mother Mother, Spiral Beach, Toby, Beats Without Borders, Los De Abajo and most recently confirmed Xavier Rudd. Xavier is one of the highest profile independent artists currently touring the globe. The awards for his albums and accolades for his performances span continents. His new album “White Moth” is playlisted on discerning radio stations worldwide.
Come visit Cumberland, and enjoy the trails, arts and culture of the Comox Valley as it welcomes these international artists.
For more information check out http://www.cumberlandvillageworks.com/
