Submitted by Frank Wall-Jack Connolly may not be a name familiar to many now, but give him a couple of years. At age 19 he has already established himself as a great performer of roots rock and alt. country having opened for bands such as 54/40, Colin James and Spirit of the West. His second, most recent CD has been getting regular airplay on west coast radio stations and the CBC, which recently featured him live from Nanaimo. He is an excellent songwriter, has a knack for drawing his audiences in and his guitar playing is well beyond his years. The Cowichan Valley Citizen remarked, "During a performance at the Male Voices workshopÂ… [He] pulled off a scorching guitar solo that left veteran performers shaking their heads in admiration"
Jack was one of the headlining performers at the 2002 Edge of the World Festival in Tlell. His solo performance, packed full of raw energy, "had the audience hanging on every word and note" (Clemens Rettich). He is returning to the islands April 17 for a solo coffee house performance and with a full band for a night of dancing at the Queen Charlotte Community Hall. This not-to-be-missed night of entertainment will be presented by the Music Festival Committee, raising funds to bring even more bands to the festival stage this year. The night begins with a coffee house from 7 to 9 pm featuring excellent local acts and Jack, coffee and deserts. The hall will then be transformed for an adult dance starting at 10 pm with the Jack Connolly band and their mix of rockin' original tunes plus your standard rock favorites.
Key West Insurance is sponsoring a safe ride home program for the evening so those who wish to drink at the dance can leave vehicles at home. Advance dance tickets will be available at Trading Post, Charlisle, Taaw Naay, Dress for Les and Mermaid's Boot for $15 each or two for $25. Also available are raffle tickets to be drawn at the dance. The prizes are a return trip for two with Hawkair to Vancouver or Victoria; a trip for three with South Moresby Air to Hot Springs Island and a festival family pass and merchandise. All funds raised go directly to pay travel costs for an incredible variety of bands who would love to be a part of this years 10th anniversary Edge of the World Music Festival.