Nanaimo Concert Band

When we first came here, our dear friends next door invited us to join them to a concert with this band. Sure, we said. They treated us to the concert so we then treated them to dinner. Fair exchange I say.

This band, since 1872 is known as Canada’s oldest continuously operating concert band. The previous Conductor, Maestro Gerry Klassen was at the helm for 22 years and retired just last year. This was our 4th concert with this band and we loved it.

Sunday, we were introduced to our new conductor, Musical Director Dave Fullerton. This was his first exposure to the public with this wonderful band. He started out a tad nervous but as the audience responded so enthusiastically to what was being offered, he relaxed more and more. We absolutely love this entertainment (sold out constantly) and are so happy it will continue on.

The selection of the music was ‘safe’ but the best was Blue Tango and Choo Choo Ch’boogey. Looking forward to more this December when they put on the Christmas Concert.

If you live here or have guests staying over when one of these delights is taking place, be sure to attend. They are lively and fun. If you wish, there is beer, wine and coffee in the Lobby before and at intermission. There, they cover all the bases.

 

 

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Montana’s Restaurant

It has been a very long time since we were in this restaurant but yesterday, after a wonderful afternoon listening to the Nanaimo Concert Band with two very dear friends, we took them for dinner. This has been our little tradition for the past two years and it is a fun time.

We wanted to make it an easy place for our friends, and close to their home and this fit the bill. We ordered our wine and Caesar beverages and waited for our dinner to arrive. We do know to stay away from their steaks (previous very bad experiences) and both men decided on the ribs, Judy ordered the buttermilk chicken with mashed potatoes and beans and I (after listening to my daughter rave about this dish) I ordered the Belgian Waffle and fried chicken sandwich with bacon.

The restaurant was almost empty when we arrived (before 5 p.m.) and now an hour later it is packed with people waiting to be seated, so the wait was a bit longer than normal. When it came, there was a bit of “oh my goodness, look at this” going on and we all dived in. Let me tell you, it was divine. Judy took just a small bit home but the rest of us ate it all up. The ribs were so tender, gooey and delicious and the cornbread was really nice as well. Judy kept saying her meal was perfect and the beans were the best. Me? I didn’t know how to eat this sandwich (seemed like a foot tall, so I just cut into it. Surprise! It was awesome and I may have found a new dish to eat.

Our server, Jenna was completely on her toes. Smiles galore, willing to accommodate any and all requests from our table. I want to go back again and I hope we would be lucky enough to have her as our special angel.

Montanta’s – you really did this up right tonight. Thanks.

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