This year’s annual Concert-On-The-Green featuring Neil Diamond impersonator Bobby Bruce as “Nearly Neil” sold “somewhere above 1,100 tickets”, Gabriola Lions officials report.
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| Bobby Bruce woos the crowd ~ Photo by Chris Bowers |
Concert organiser and Lions member Don Butt said concert attendance was, “comparable to last year’s numbers” for Abba impersonators Abba Cadabra.
Butt said the Aug. 6 concert at the Gabriola Golf Course was “fabulous”. He said the concert was a family affair, and “the thing I enjoy more than anything is watching the happiness of the people who get up and dance”. The kids have so much fun, he said.
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| Dude's a- truckin'! ~ Photo by Chris Bowers |
Concert goers were warmed up by the local Gabriola trio Ssvelte, composed of Steve Elder on guitar and vocals, Vivian Hart on vocals, and Steve Smith on keyboards. As predicted last year, Ssvelte, who opened last year’s concert with their first gig together, has become well-known for delivering excellent performances and lived up to their reputation.
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| Ssvelte lives up to expectations, and delivers an excellent set ~ Photo by Chris Bowers |
While the feature band was coming on stage a flock of white doves was released and circled above the stage and grounds a number of times before heading home as the band began to play.
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| Nearly Neil wows the crowd ~ Photo by Chris Bowers |
As for Nearly Neil, a series of solos given by all the members of the band highlighted their excellence as musicians, and together the band performed a number of old favourites that got the crowd up and dancing early into their first set.
Master of Ceremonies Dixon Kenny told the crowd that the concert is the biggest event of the year for the Lions and that every penny made goes back into Gabriola. He mentioned past Lions support in providing equipment for the emergency treatment room at Twin Beaches Medical Clinic, and in providing funds for People for a Healthy Community, the school library, installation of wheel chair ramps for the disabled, the annual Christmas Hamper, sending needy children to camp, and providing firewood for people who needed it.
Kenny said there were 85 sponsors who have contributed $1,500 or more towards the show, and many smaller sponsors who contributed $150. He made special mention of BC Ferries for providing free passage to Gabriola for the band, and to Camp Miriam, for providing a shuttle-bus to move people from the ferry terminal to the golf-course and back again.
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| Erik works the crowd ~ Photo by Chris Bowers |
Erik Boulton proved once again that a good auctioneer can sell pretty well anything, beginning an auction that took place during the break between the two Nearly Neal sets by selling a $20 bill for $40.
