Join the Carnival Band Party at the Fairview Pub

The Carnival Band @ Winter Solstice

Ah, yes, The Fairview Pub. It's a place I know primarily for its wine shop, which has come in mighty handy on those select last-minute-party emergencies. But to see an actual live band at the Fairview never even crossed my mind. I mean, really. Heading to this uninspiring strip of West Broadway on a happening weekend night would be asking a lot.

But this Saturday our city's ubiquitous party band -- the constantly evolving and expanding Carnival Band -- may be the magnet that finally gets me exploring this mysterious venue. Besides, my ears are warmed up from all the free jazz festival gigs, and I'm certainly ready for some mo' funk-jazz-world-beats-let-my-guard-down action.

It's not like I don't see these guys enough: The Carnival Band seems to infiltrate every possible event known to Vancouver (Illuminaires, Chinese New Year Parade, and the recent Commercial Drive Car-free Festival), promoting their love of fun, community, and makeshift celebratory outfits. If there's a group of people around, I know these instrument-toting revelers will likely be marching along, whether there's just five or a whopping 30 of 'em in for the ride.

So despite seeing these guys everywhere, formal headlining gigs are too few, and I'm actually eager to see what they'll be all about in this sort of environment. They profess that "no one gig is like another", and so far they've been right. I'll keep putting this to the test.

They've just wrapped up a European tour and will be so fresh from the trip they'll be coughing up chunks of baguettes and papas bravas between songs. So if you're wanting some of that delirious, uninhibited jet-lagged action, head to the Fairview Pub (898 West Broadway, 604-872-1262) this Saturday, July 7th. Blackberry Wood also plays. Cover's $8.