Viper Central ~ on the ferry

A few days ago I took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and from there on to a brief visit in Courtenay. It was a dull day, foggy and damp, and I planned to settle in with a good book.



I found a seat and was about to get into an old Don DeLillo I hadn't read, when music broke out. Toe tapping, smile inducing, good feeling music; the kind of thing you'd like to sing along to, if only you knew the words.





Viper Central, or at least those of its members present for this voyage, entertained passengers and crew for the better part of the sailing and it was wonderful.

Viper Central plays bluegrass. On the ferry they were friendly, endearing and warmly appreciative of their audience. The band was on their way to Ucluelet to play at the Black Rock resort.














With them on their "tour boat," and at the concert in Ucluelet, was John Reischman on mandolin. John is considered a master and it shows.














Acoustics aren't a hallmark of BC Ferries, but the music sounded good and it was a hit with everyone aboard. I was hoping the band might appear on our return sailing, but no such luck.







We really should do this more often on BC Ferries.

Photos by Jim Murray
Copyright 2013.