75th Anniversary Performers

Celebrate 75 years of Central Saanich with an incredible lineup of local talent!

From high-energy headliners like Nick La Riviere & The Best Laid Plans and the crowd-powered Victoria Rock Choir, to hometown favourites like Vanilla Riot, Madi and the Dads, and country artist Luke Lampard with special guest Chase Varnes, this celebration showcases the depth of talent rooted right here on the Saanich Peninsula.

You’ll also see rising stars take the stage, including youth bands Wet Knees, Emergency Exit, and emerging artist Kingston Weesa—bringing fresh energy and local pride to the lineup.

It’s a full day of music, community, and celebration you won’t want to miss.

Emerging Artists

Emergency Exit
On stage: 12:45 p.m.
Emergency Exit is a band of local high school students who blend 90s rock with a touch of country, creating a sound that’s raw, energetic and chill. With a mix of originals and covers, they always put their own spin on every song. 
The16-year-old musicians started playing together at Bayside Middle School and have grown up on the Saanich Peninsula playing sports, going to school and developing their sound as a band. Most of the band now attends Stelly’s Secondary School and trained at the Brentwood School of Music.

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Wet Knees
On stage: 1:30 p.m.
The Wet Knees are an emerging group of diverse young jazz/funk musicians who are so pumped to be performing again. They bring a jazzy vibe and an appreciation for an expansive music genre. They have previously enjoyed busking in the area to promote the love of funtastic-music. When they’re not playing jazz, they're playing funk, and when they're not playing funk, they're the Wet Knees. 

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Kingston Weesa
On stage: 2:30 p.m.
Kingston is an emerging young drummer from Tsartlip First Nation whose passion for culture, song and rhythm is already making an impression. Currently a Wsanec Leadership School student, Kingston is known for strong timing, energy, and excitement to continue singing and representing Tsartlip First Nation through music.		 

Local Artists

Luke Lampard with special guest Chase Varnes
On stage: 3:00 p.m.
Luke Lampard is a local country artist from Brentwood Bay. His music has been growing steadily even while working a full-time firefighting job and coaching local softball teams. Luke is coming off performing at Sunfest Country 2025 and is releasing new music this summer!

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Chase Varnes
14-year-old Vancouver Island singer-songwriter Chase Varnes writes every song and self-produces, playing every instrument. His debut single “Ain't Been There Yet” blends country warmth with pop clarity and opens the door to a forthcoming EP.   

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Madi and the Dads
On stage: 4:00 p.m.
Madi and the Dads bring an energetic mix of covers and original songs. Fronted by Madison Olsen from Tsartlip First Nation in Central Saanich, the band features a talented crew of dadvibe musicians in varying states of beard. Backing up Madison are her father, bassist and local music producer Nick Gilchrist; peninsula raised guitarist Dave Bosma; drummer and Brentwood School of Music owner Mike Preston; and keyboardist extraordinaire Andy Sloniowski. Their warm, dynamic sound highlights Madison’s powerful voice and creates an engaging, feel-good experience for anyone in attendance.

Vanilla Riot
On stage: 5:00 p.m.
Vanilla Riot is ready to rock Central Saanich’s 75th Anniversary! This high-energy cover band is deeply rooted in the local community. Current residents Clive Scott and Shay Poland are  proud to call Central Saanich home, while singer Jenny Leddy (Young) and bassist John Hawkins  are well known former locals. The hometown connection runs even deeper, as singers Shay and Jenny are both proud graduates of Stelly’s Secondary.  
With a setlist packed with classic anthems and modern hits, Vanilla Riot brings the perfect energy for this diamond jubilee. Join your neighbors for an unforgettable performance as they celebrate seventy-five years of Central Saanich pride.

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The Victoria Rock Choir
On stage: 6:00 p.m.
This is no ordinary choir performance... this is a rock show! Featuring about 130 singers plus guitar, piano, bass, and drums, the choir performs music by bands like Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Tragically Hip, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Colin James, and more. Directed by trombonist, Nick La Riviere, this choir is all energy and good times. Nick attended Stelly’s Secondary in Central Saanich, and the choir features members from all over Greater Victoria. Make sure you check this group out - you’ll find yourself singing along in no time!

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Nick La Riviere & The Best Laid Plans
On stage: 7:00 p.m.
Best Laid Plans is a high-energy band with a deep bench of great players and a sound that moves easily between styles. The group features Nick La Riviere (trombone, vocals), Miguel Valdes (trumpet), Barrie Sorensen (sax), Kelly Fawcett (guitar), Attila Fias (keys, vocals), Louis Rudner (bass), and Alex Campbell (drums. Together, they cover a lot of ground—from original tunes to New Orleans-inspired party music to R&B—always with a focus on groove, feel, and having a good time.

The band is led by Nick La Riviere, a singer, trombonist, and longtime fixture in the Victoria music scene. He’s toured internationally with artists like The Paperboys, Michael Kaeshammer, 54-40, The BC World Music Collective, and Adonis Puentes, and has shared the stage with musicians including Steven Page and The Temptations. As a freelancer, he’s played just about every kind of gig there is, and brings that experience into the band. Nick attended Stelly’s Secondary in Central Saanich, and was inspired by the music program there.

Best Laid Plans draws inspiration from New Orleans greats like Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Allen Toussaint. Their original music leans into a mix of pop, funk, and horn-driven arrangements, with plenty of room for improvisation and, of course, trombone.

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