The official launch of the festive winter season is coming up Friday, November 15, when Moonlight + Magic hits the streets of beautiful Downtown Courtenay! This much anticipated celebration features interactive art, live music, kids crafts, food trucks, roving performers, secret nooks, street dancing, the tree light up, museum and gallery events, and merchant specials throughout the downtown!

This year’s theme is “Intergalactic Jungle” where the animal kingdom meets science fiction! Throw on your cozy onesies and string yourself up with lights! From amazing DJ’s to incredible live performances on fiddle, trombone and more, Moonlight + Magic has so much to offer.The festivities begin at 5:00 and continue through to a fiery finale on upper Duncan Avenue at 8:30!

Don’t miss the official Tree Light Up at 5:30 at 5th and England with a big community signalong followed by live shows from local hip hop artist Oktiv6 and trombonist extraordinaire Trombonissimo. Then join DJ Ms Rockwell to dance the night away.

Down at 5th and Duncan the dancing continues with DJ Resister who fuses music from the diverse cultures of Turkey, Egypt, Iran and beyond. Then the deck will be handed off to DJ Eliazar who spins tunes from around the globe including Electro Swing, Vintage Remix, Dub, World Beats, Balkan, Bass, Middle Eastern,  Soul, Funk, Jazz and more. At 8 pm the big dance off features prizes including lift tickets to Mount Washington.

Upper Duncan Ave will be a hive of activity with live music and “Drawing with Light” in the CV/Arts Art Wagon where you can experiment with different light sources to create stunning visuals that evoke space travel, aliens and distant galaxies. The Comox Valley Art Gallery will be open for folks to see a sneak preview of the upcoming 50 | 20 Retrospective + Art Faire 2024. Poke your head down Simms Alley and visit the Moon Dust Ranch with special hosts, the Space Cowboys.

Local violinist and improvisationalist Fanfare will hit the Comox Valley Art Gallery Plaza stage at 6:30  and then be sure to check out the live hip hop performance and intergalactic-themed music videos by Ruby Singh at 7:30!  Singh is a multi award winning performer, composer and producer whose creativity crosses the boundaries of music, poetry, photography and film engaging with mythos, memory, justice and fantasy. His work is informed by sound found all around us, from the whirling planets and stars of distant galaxies to percussion of an umbrella under coastal rains, to the perpetual moving birdsong of the dawn chorus, constantly circling the globe.

Then cap off the night on Duncan Ave with friends and neighbours from across the Valley with an incredible fiery finale from Ignisia Circus who blend skilled technique, graceful dance, and magnetic stage presence, to create an unforgettable act.

Moonlight + Magic is presented by the Downtown Courtenay BIA with support from Comox Valley Art Gallery, 97.3 the Eagle, Comox Valley Arts, the Joint Physiotherapy, Foveo Running and Elevate. For more info visit downtowncourtenay.com

SCHEDULE:
5:00 fun begins, art, music, food trucks, merchant specials!
5:30 official tree light up & Captain Singalong at 5th and England
6:00 live show with Oktiv6 at 5th and England

6:30 live show with Fanfare on the CVAG Plaza
7:00 live show with Tromobonissimo at 5th and England
7:30 live show with Ruby Singh on the CVAG Plaza
8:00 big dance off at 5th and Duncan (win passes to Mount Washington!)
8:30 Fiery Finale with Ignisia Circus on Duncan Ave