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Help Us Build The Backyard: Nanaimo’s Hidden Gem
Right in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, a transformation is underway. What began as a heartfelt tribute has blossomed into a permanent dream: The Backyard at Sound Heritage.
The Heart of The Backyard
The story of The Backyard is rooted in love, loss, and the enduring power of music. In 2017, the dream was born from the vision of Anton Lemieux, a gifted songwriter and storyteller who hoped to create an intimate space for local artists to showcase their talents. After Anton’s tragic passing due to a fentanyl overdose, his friends and the local music community rallied to keep his dream alive, launching the inaugural Backyard Fest.
Nine years later, the spirit of that original vision remains, but the space itself is evolving. Led by Sound Heritage & with support from neighbours and community partners, we are working to turn this grassroots venue into a professional, safe, and uniquely beautiful outdoor community and cultural events space.
Painting the Picture: Our Vision
Our vision is for a safe, inclusive, beautiful private outdoor space for music and cultural events in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. With your support, we will be able to host a variety of live music and community events in a secure, private outdoor environment.
Imagine stepping off the busy downtown streets and into a vibrant oasis with greenery, live music and community gatherings—a sanctuary where friends gather and the city’s best artists perform under the open sky. A place for community markets, educational events, outdoor movie screenings, fitness activities – so much is possible, and we are closer than ever to turning these dreams into reality!
Progress to Date
Over the past three years, we have invested over $40,000 in the space, making significant progress with site improvements:
- Planning: With the City of Nanaimo’s building and fire departments, professional architects, structural engineers, surveyors and builders, we created site and construction plans that met building code requirements and set the stage for professional site improvements.
- Infrastructure: Thanks to the pros at Jonker Custom Building, we’ve reinforced the stage, secured upper fencing, and constructed cedar stairs to meet site safety requirements and match the natural surroundings.
- Beautification: We have cleared debris and started the process of replacing weeds with native trees, flowers, and landscaping features.
Why We Need Your Support
We are in the final push to prepare the space for this year’s Sunk City Music Festival (May 15th–17th), which will be our first event to take place in the revamped Backyard. To open our gates with style and safety, we are seeking community support to complete the following:
- The Stairs & Emergency Exit: Settling the outstanding costs of our recently completed staircase, steel gate and emergency exit.
- Landscaping: Ground leveling, site and hillside cleanup, planting trees and flowers to beautify the hillside, increase site privacy and create a natural, enclosed canopy for guests and wildlife to enjoy.
- Atmosphere: Installing ambient lighting in the yard, reinforce stage roofing, painting stage and walls, and create comfortable, permanent outdoor seating.
- Welcoming Entrances: Beautifying the alleyway with fresh paint, lighting and signage, turning a functional space into an inviting arrival point.
- Security Improvements: Reinforcement/replacement of the front gate and lock system, view coverings along the rear fenceline, and security camera installations are all necessary.
- Seating areas: We intend to install benches, tiered seating, and an accessible viewing area visitors of all mobilities & abilities can attend and enjoy events.
- Electrical Upgrades: To be able to host a diverse range of performers, we will need to make permitted electrical improvements to support various equipment and lighting setups.
Upcoming Events
In addition to community donations, we will be hosting a series of events this Spring & Summer to raise money for Backyard improvements, including the following:
o Backyard Benefit Auction (May)
o Sunk City Music Festival (May)
o Stereo Swap Meet (May)
o Community Barn Dance & Fiddle Concert (June)
o And other local events, TBD!
Beyond Financial Support
We know that community strength & generosity come in many forms. We are actively seeking in-kind donations and skilled volunteers. If you can provide landscaping supplies, labor, or lighting installation, please reach out! Your contribution of time or materials will be rewarded with Sound Heritage gift cards.
Join Us
Together let’s create a beautiful, inclusive, safe, and welcoming setting where Nanaimo’s artistic identity can flourish for years to come. Whether you contribute $20 or $2000, an afternoon of labor, or some other means of support, you are helping us build a home for music, connection, and joy in the heart of downtown Nanaimo.
See you in the Backyard.
Organizer
