Some of the world’s top ska, reggae, punk and Latin acts will converge on Victoria later this summer.
The eighth Annual Victoria Ska Festival, July 11-14, is among the summer festivals looking to benefit from the cancellation of this season’s Open Air in Centennial Square, the Latin Caribbean Festival and FolkFest.
Headliner and ska legend Neville Staples was part of second-wave ska band The Specials first birthed in 1977. Also on the docket are California’s The Mad Caddies, Mexico’s Los Rastrillos and Ghana’s Paapa Wastik.
When Ska Fest started eight years ago, it was a one-day, seven-act show. Now the festival unfolds over four days at multiple venues and features 21 acts from six different countries.
Festival founder and creative director Dane Roberts said Ska Fest has done nothing but increase artistically and mathematically since Day 1.
“We are now the largest annual ska event in North America,” Roberts said. “Interest keeps growing each year, from both musicians and fans alike.”
Other acts scheduled to appear are Skaboom!, Satori, One Drop, the Soul Captives, Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, SubCity Dwellers, currentswell, The Rebel Spell, Paapa Wastik, Outlaw Nation, The Sainte Catherines, The EliXXXirs, Macaque, The Drastics, Mama Pulpa, The Real McKenzies, Arbutus Trio, One Night Band, JFK, Eves of Destruction and Rollergirls.
