Community and music were celebrated this September during the Neighbourhood Concert Series (NCS) in the suburbs of Abbotsford.
Backyards are the perfect concert venues: fresh air, hand-crafted decorations, people having fun, popcorn, and a dog greeting everyone: is there a better way to enjoy live music? NCS is a hidden gem of the local music scene and full of charm. The concert series is a three-night event, where local musicians perform in three backyards, in a neighbourhood right outside of Abbotsford’s downtown core.
The Cascade got the chance to speak with John Dunning, an organizer of the event who works to book local bands and plan the logistics of live performances.
NCS is a modest event with humble beginnings. Dunning discussed the details of how it started.
“We were just hanging out with neighbours on a patio … and I thought … ‘Guys, what do you think of doing three shows in three days?’ Which seemed kind of wild at the time [but everyone was] like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’”
The event thrives from community engagement. Dunning explained how people get involved each year.
“I like to keep it open to whoever’s available. There’s some bands who booked tonight, [that] were just clients of my wife’s, who’s a hairdresser. Or co-workers from my work. I just like to try and leave it up to whatever comes our way.”
As venues, backyards aren’t just innovative, they keep concerts affordable for organizers and attendees with $15 tickets.
“It doesn’t take much. The overhead of organizing is very low because it’s in people’s spaces. Other than sound and trying to pay bands as much as possible, it doesn’t take a whole lot.”
This unique kind of concert allows for a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the show. A success, for Dunning, is how the NCS has brought people together over the last four years.
“We hear these stories afterwards of families, people who met each other at this event. Different kids who’ve become friends … Stuff like that where you start to see [a] change in the neighbourhood in a way that’s more communal. I think the idea is to just break the regular routine for three days in a row. Make it more around art and coming together.”
The Cascade connected with first-time attendee of the concert series, Heidi. Word of mouth helps advertise the event; Heidi was inspired by the people in her life to show up.
“I heard about it from my friend Andrea who is from Foxglove. And I heard it from my cousin who’s a hairdresser.”
She told The Cascade what drew her to attend and emphasized the welcoming environment.
“I’m a mom. I got lots of kids, so every Thursday night I get out. This is my night to go out. So it worked out for us to come … I love how many families with kids and stuff like that are here. Really enjoying that atmosphere.”
The Cascade spoke with Scott Kuri, also known as Fun Director.
The community around the NCS is close-knit. Kuri was introduced to the event last year, but has stuck around.
“I performed last year, and this is my first year being involved doing sound … The mechanical work is super fun. I get to listen to the band. I get to listen to the audience, I get to try to balance those things and create a good atmosphere for everyone … It’s a fun party and you want to help make it a fun party.”
He loves his craft too, explaining how “As an artist, you want to be singing your songs to people … and having an opportunity to play in front of people for a celebratory fun event is just awesome.”
Kuri highlighted that the event wouldn’t be as successful without the people who organize it.
“This is a really great community event. It’s very well done. The people who put it on care about music and they care about creating community. If you’re a person who wants to engage in community activity, this is a really great thing.”
While the NCS celebrated its fourth year, Dunning doesn’t have plans to expand.
“We don’t have a lot of pressure on this becoming any more than it already is. There’s obviously ideas of what it could be. I love the idea of utilizing small, kind of communal spaces, rather than having a giant vision … having this many people at the shows is fun.”
I’ve never experienced any kind of show like this, but I got to see strangers become friends, listen to local artists showcase their work, and appreciate the effort of community members sharing their love for music. I hope the NCS continues to go on for many years to come.
