Performances in the Park

Williams Lake’s stellar summer live music series – every Thursday night in July and August!

PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK 2026

Experience the magic of live music under the open sky! Nestled in the natural amphitheater of Williams Lake’s Boitanio Park at the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Outdoor Theatre, Performances in the Park is a family-friendly, community-focused summer concert series held on the traditional territories of the Williams Lake First Nation, home to the T’exelcemc people.

Join us every Thursday from July 9 to August 27, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM, for evenings filled with captivating performances, laughter, and connection. Our program features a variety of musical ensembles designed to delight audiences of all ages, from young children to seasoned music lovers.

For our youngest audience members, Art in the Park offers hands-on creative activities, ensuring every member of the family can engage with the arts while enjoying live music. Each year, Performances in the Park showcases top-tier performers alongside exceptional local talent, presenting a diverse lineup of musical styles and experiences. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, we invite you to be part of this vibrant celebration of arts and culture in the Central Cariboo!

SPONSORSHIP & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Support the arts, connect with the community, and showcase your organization! Performances in the Park draws hundreds of attendees weekly, offering a high-quality, inclusive, and well-promoted event that celebrates creativity and connection.

Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, with the financial support of the City of Williams Lake, the Cariboo Regional District, and Williams Lake First Nation. The series is managed, produce, financially supported by the Community Arts Council of Williams Lake.

Our incredible sponsors for the 2026 season are:

Platinum Sponsors: Canadian Tire Williams Lake, Williams Lake and District Credit Union, Mount Polley Mining Corporation, Cariboo Country & The Goat FM, Sandtronic Business Systems, and Sta-Well Health Foods

Gold Sponsor: RE/MAX Williams Lake, Thompson Rivers University – Williams Lake Campus, The Guitar Seller, Kit & Kaboodle

Silver Sponsors: Oliver Street Bar and Grill

Bronze Sponsor: The West Fraser Truckers Association, Art Walk – Downtown Williams Lake, Cariboo Handwoven, Sugar Cane Development Corporation: Sugar Cane Archeology, Lorne Doerkson MLA, Tl’esqox Tell Tale Signs, Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, Williams Lake Optometry, Orange Shirt Society, Lake City Security Works, and Zirnhelt Timber Frames.

OUR OUTSTANDING SEASON’S LINEUP

JULY 9th – MARSHA THOMPSON + THE SPIRITUAL WARRIORS
Opening Act: Marsha Thompson is a singer and songwriter from the Okanagan Valley, BC. Her captivating original songs are often inspired by nature, and Marsha’s warm alto stylings resonate with poetic lyrics, as each song tells its unique story.

Feature Act: We are excited to welcome back this father-daughter team from the Lil’wat Nation in Mount Currie, B.C. The Spiritual Warriors fuse songs, chants and language of the Lil’wat/St’at’imc peoples with contemporary roots reggae cultural music.

JULY 16th – THE MISERY MOUNTAIN BOYS + JP MAX & CO
Opening Act: Hailing from Alberta, The Misery Mountain Boys bring with them speakeasy jazz and jump blues for a swingin’ good time!

Feature Act: Pharis and Jason Romero have steadily been cultivating a devoted following in the folk genre; they are recipients of four Juno awards and seven Canadian Folk Music Awards. Cole Patenaude is the foundational guitarist and songwriter for the Screech Owls. Max Malone is the deeply grounded bass player and singer for the Lonesome Ace Stringband among many other acts. All four musicians proudly call the vibrant community of Horsefly their home.

JULY 23rd – WEST MY FRIEND + ANTONIO LAROSA
Opening Act: West My Friend are veterans of the Victoria music scene and recently released their Independent Music Awards-nominated fourth album “In Constellation”. Performing a blend of cascadian third-wave indie prog chamber folk-roots music self-described as “courting an edge of disaster”.

Feature Act: Antonio Larosa performs high-energy country-rock and roots, showcasing strong vocals, electric guitar and a live band feel. Blending classic country storytelling with blues, vintage rock, and Americana influences, Antonio delivers soulful, raw, and dynamic moments.

JULY 30th – GLASS MOTEL + ZONNIS
Opening Act: Glass Motel returns! Featuring Williams Lake young adults in this indie rock band, Glass Motel blends classic favourites with original music. With dynamic rhythms, soaring vocals, and compelling lyrics, this local act weaves emotion into every melody.

Feature Act: Drawing upon their years of traveling and touring, Zonnis’ music will take you on a journey through upbeat and inspirational to somber and introspective, all with a healthy dose of humor thrown in for good measure.This heartfelt and original duo sing the songs of their lives and the times we live in through their eclectic, cabaret-folk.

AUGUST 6th – SASSAFRASS + PUNJABI GIDHA and PUNJABI BHANGRA PERFORMANCE
Opening Act: Sassafras is the musical moniker for artist Kimberly Kavanagh, a Cariboo-based singer-songwriter who will be delivering heartfelt, original songs with strong vocals and honest lyrics. Kimberly blends acoustic folk, pop, and rock as she connects with audiences all over the South Cariboo.

Feature Act: Returning for its third Performances in the Park season, we are eager to welcome back the Punjabi Gidha & Punjabi Bhangra dancers of Williams Lake! Punjabi Bhangra involves a highly energetic, traditional folk dance performed by men and Punjabi Gidha is the graceful and spirited counterpart of the women. Traditionally performed at harvest celebrations, social gatherings, weddings, and festivals, we are grateful to join together and celebrate the vibrant culture of music and dance from the Punjab region.

AUGUST 13th – SHANNON O’DONOVAN + BATS & DAO
Opening Act: Shannon is becoming a quiet force in the Beaver Lake songwriting community. Her voice fills you up like a warm cup of coffee – her very relatable lyrics blend humour with darker takes on life, parenting, and social activism. With a style that crosses genres, including indie folk, bluegrass, and country, Shannon captures the attention of her listeners with authenticity and catchy melodies.

Feature Act: From Horsefly, BC, Ciel Patenaude and Brent Morton create music that defies easy categorization. Backed by a full band, their symphonic arrangements and intricate harmonies build cathedral-sized spaces around intimate songwriting. These are songs that move intuitively – mining human experience with lyrics that linger long after the music fades.

AUGUST 20th – FLAMENCO SJGUIRIYAS + RICH N BEKA + IN MY BONES
Opening Showcase: Louise Kroh will be sharing with us the official dance of Spain: Flamenco. There are many different rhythms or ‘pals’ in Spanish. Follow along to watch (and maybe even learn!) the passionate rhythm of ‘sjguyrias’.

Feature Act: Rich n Beka are both from the Tsilhqot’in Nation and are a decade deep in the culture. Two voices, one sound. Bringing us hip-hop with heart, grit, and no filter, we are thrilled to welcome this duo back to the stage.

Feature Act: Joining us from the wilds of Bella Coola, BC, In My Bones bring a bold, brutally honest sound. Expect heart, attitude, and a strong beat from these CBC Searchlight semi-finalists as they take us on an explosive ride through the boundless chaos and charm of their musical universe.

AUGUST 27th – REBELLE + RED HAVEN
Opening Act: Meet REBELLE, a powerhouse behind the decks with a deep love for the dancefloor. Known for her infectious energy and impeccable track selection, her sets are a masterclass in the art of the groove. With a relentless passion for driving basslines and pulsating rhythms, REBELLE’s performances take the crowd on a four-on-the-floor journey guaranteed to get you dancing!

Feature Act: Red Haven is a high-energy, freak-folk collaboration. Bringing us raucous rock infused with jazz, Red Have will explore politics, protest, love, friendship, black cats, and lunch wraps. Let’s go!

CALLING LOCAL FOOD VENDORS

Bring your delicious offerings to Boitanio Park this summer! We’re inviting local food vendors to return and join Performances in the Park, enhancing the experience for our audience while showcasing your business.

Across eight Thursday evenings in July and August, attendees gather to enjoy live music from around the world and right here at home, and your food can be part of the celebration. Participating is a fantastic way to connect with the community, advertise for free, and be part of a vibrant summer event.

Download our Vendor Application Form and send it back to: info@centralcaribooarts.com.

OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

These are the artists and music from past seasons who helped create the soundtrack of our summers at Performances in the Park — listen to our playlist!

LISTEN HERE ON SPOTIFY

PATRONS ‘PLAY YOUR PART’

Do you love the concerts and content we create for you? Consider becoming a patron of our music series by donating the cost of a concert ticket – proceeds will be directed to the artist fees and ensure we’ve got live music coming to our community for years to come.