Sloan with Slowcoaster
Friday, August 8 - $26*

Fresh on the heels of releasing their ninth album Parallel Play, Halifax, Nova Scotia's Sloan will be bringing their unique, driving style of indie rock for the premiere of the Big Blast Concert Series!

Known for their intense on-stage energy, Sloan is recognized as a band that fuels and embraces their audience at any venue they play. With all four members contributing their distinct song writing and vocal abilities, Sloan is a band whose music crosses boundaries, yet remains rock solid and proves that on the stage.

Appearing with Sloan are Cape Breton's jam-rock ensemble Slowcoaster, a band with more musical styles than members. Funk, jazz, rock, reggae, even Celtic and Latin influences can be heard when the band hits the stage.

After playing more than 700 shows in the past six years, Slowcoaster has honed their live performance into a musical masterpiece.

Prairie Oyster with Dave Gunning
Saturday, August 9 - $21*

The kings of Canadian country and roots music are coming to PEI for the Big Blast Concert Series.

With six Juno Awards for Best Country Group, and numerous Canadian Country Music Awards under their well-worn belts, Prairie Oyster have been delighting audiences across the globe with their stage-ready mix of country, folk, gospel and blues music for decades. Don't miss this chance to see some of Canada's most respected musicians live.

From Pictou County, Nova Scotia comes Dave Gunning, a singer/songwriter whose blend of folk and country music has earned him three East Coast Music Awards, including Male Solo Recording of the Year and Folk Recording of the Year in 2008.

His keen storytelling style of songwriting has been compared to Canadian legends such as Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers.

Sarah Harmer and Serena Ryder
Friday, August 15 - $26*
Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer brings her unique style of folk, country, and alternative pop music to Big Blast Concert Series this summer.

Widely considered one of Canada's most passionate and diverse singers, her talents have led to appearances on albums with Canadian luminaries such as Blue Rodeo, Bruce Cockburn and Great Big Sea, while her own CDs have garnered critical and commercial success. Sarah Harmer is well known for her inspired live performances, and her onstage interaction with her band has been deemed second to none.

While barely into her 20s, Serena Ryder has been called an “old soul” whose vocal abilities have been compared to Aretha Franklin and Sylvia Tyson.

The singer-songwriter from Ontario has gained recognition at home and abroad not only for her voice and range but for her stage presence and live performances. Billboard magazine heralds her as “Canada's most promising”. In 2008, Serena received the Juno Award for New Artist of the Year.

Gold Cup Simulcast Party
Saturday, August 16 - $11*

Enjoy the Gold Cup and Saucer Race in a new sense of extra comfort this year, as for the first time ever, the most anticipated harness race on Prince Edward Island will be broadcast on a massive projection screen inside the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

Relax, sit, enjoy food and refreshments plus entertainment with live performances from Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold and Muddy Buddy as you wait for post time. Then prepare to watch the fastest horses and best drivers in Eastern Canada compete in the Gold Cup and Saucer race.

Don't miss this big event with a new twist on the traditional Gold Cup Night!