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Carolina Bluebirds singing sweet tunes at Deep Cove folk night

Local trio pulls songs from as early as 1890s to charm audiences.
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Carolina Bluebirds’ Ian Johnston, left, Caroline Covil and Graeme Card will be performing uplifting and haunting favourites from decades — and even centuries — past at Deep Cove Folk Music Society’s Club Night, next Friday, Feb. 13.

Performing unusual and charming songs like My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes along with crowd favourite Blue Skies and their unique take on Five Foot Two, folk trio Carolina Bluebirds is sure to inspire the joy of their namesake in audience members and folk fans next Friday (Feb. 13).

The latest performers at Deep Cove Folk Music Society’s Club Nights, Carolina Bluebirds melds vocals from Caroline Covil, guitar, vocals and the occasional kazoo from Graeme Card and the talents of Ian Johnston on guitar, ukulele and banjo ukulele, as well as vocals.

The trio tries to put together a wide variety of music styles from the ‘20s to the ‘60s, and not just the one hit wonders that have survived to today.

“We like to try and find unusual songs that were popular in their time,” says Covil. “We all like different types of music, and different types from each era. Some of it’s jazzy, some of it’s quaint. And we’re always adding new music.”

They always make sure to throw in a few well-known songs so the audience can participate, something they say folk audiences particularly like to do.

“It’s a very warm audience, very friendly, and the acoustics are good there,” says Johnston of the monthly event.

“It’s a nice building as well. It’s all wood, and the open mic that they start with always has a great variety of music. You never know what you’re going to hear,” adds Covil. “We’re quite looking forward to it.”

Card and Johnston are longtime musicians in region, having played with bands such as Rig-A-Jig, the Garden City Blue Blowers, The Jug Bandits, The Chattering Class and Humphrey and the Dump Trucks.

Carolina Bluebirds plays Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. at the St. John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road. Admission is $7 at the door, and coffee, tea and other refreshments are by donation.

The Deep Cove Folk Music Society has operated for 24 years — at the same venue — through the efforts of volunteers dedicated to providing acoustic music to the community. Club nights are held the second Friday of the month.

For more information, visit deepcovefolk.ca.