Alive with the sound of music, one particular Westview parlour has been a warm home and welcome music venue for visiting musicians.
Since 2012, singer-songwriter Pat Buckna has been bringing music and touring musicians home in aid of artists, helping to make Powell River a hotspot for affordable live music.
“It’s not a house party, it’s a house concert,” said Buckna. “We scrounge up a few chairs and a nice, comfortable space for musicians, and people get to hear a great live show for $20.”
Buckna’s home is one of over 200 such venues across Canada run as part of the non-profit Home Routes Concert Series. By rolling out the welcome mat for travelling artists, the concert series aims to reduce rising travel costs for touring musicians, said Buckna.
“Artists have to travel to stay fresh,” said Buckna, “and it’s hard to get musicians to Powell River because of the cost.”
Buckna said he puts on six home concerts a year and many sell out ahead of time. As part of Home Routes, Buckna has welcomed many artists to his home, including harmonic folk-trio the Sweet Lowdown and folk singer David Essig.
Formerly a music director at Yellowknife’s Folk on the Rocks music festival, Buckna said Powell River has a lot in common with remote rural areas when it comes to attracting touring musicians.
“Powell River is a lot more like Yellowknife than other places in BC,” said Buckna. “It’s hard to access and a long ways away from other communities.”
Buckna said 100 per cent of ticket sales goes to musicians and having a free place to stay also helps. He also offers musicians coming over from Courtney-Comox a free ride to and from the ferry terminal so they can further reduce fare costs by walking on.
Based on the popularity of his home concerts, Buckna has started holding larger, independently organized concerts at Cranberry Community Hall.
“Artists I know call me up and ask if they can play here for a larger audience,” he said. “I put them up and set up the show.”
Besides helping touring artists, Buckna also wants his efforts to help create a vibrant live music scene in Powell River and build community.
“It’s about allowing us to sustain something that is vitally important to our well-being,” said Buckna. “Many people come because it’s such a social occasion. They don’t even care who’s playing.”
Banjo-playing songstress Corrina Rose will be playing Buckna’s next Home Routes concert at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 17. For more information, readers can go to starbuckna.com.
