Hello!

We’re Margins of Sound Society (MOSS), a Nanaimo-based nonprofit arts organization, and we’re launching a new festival this June with a full day of free outdoor programming in Bowen Park. Thought some folks here might be interested.

Margins of Sound 2026 (June 26–28) explores cross-genre experimental music, sound, and audiovisual art through performances, workshops, and listening-focused experiences. The weekend includes a free day at Bowen Park Amphitheatre alongside nighttime AV showcases at the OV Arts Centre featuring local and visiting artists working across ambient, electronic, folk, ecological, improvised, and experimental practices.

Festival info:
https://www.mossociety.ca/festival-2026

Some of the projects this year involve:
- immersive audiovisual performance
- ambient and experimental electronics
- ecological hip hop and plant biosonification
- deep listening and soundscape work
- family-friendly outdoor programming
- interactive and educational workshops
- modular synth performance
- contemporary and experimental folk music
- late-night DJ sets
- 100% BC artists, with strong Nanaimo and Vancouver Island representation

We’ve also been building out artist pages and media so people can explore the lineup and projects in more depth:
https://www.mossociety.ca/mos26-artists

Still updating things as more artist materials come in, but the pages are now live.

Happy to answer questions if people are curious, and really hope to see some of you in Bowen Park for the day program or at the OV Arts Centre showcases.

💚 MOSS

(Sharing for visibility!)

THE BIG ONE IS HERE!

10 YEARS OF PARADE & 30 YEARS OF PRIDE!

Nanaimo, get ready for the biggest, brightest, queerest day of the year! Sunday, June 14th, we are taking to the streets to celebrate, community, resilience, & pure 2SLGBTQIA+ joy. From a powerful history of protest to this massive celebration!

THE PARADE (11:00 AM): Winds through Downtown Nanaimo from Fitzwilliam St. all the way to Maffeo Sutton Park. Make sure to jump in behind The Final Float to join the moving dance party into the park!

THE FESTIVAL (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Featuring a 95 Vendors, amazing food trucks, a Kids Zone with a bouncy castle, a family-friendly social drinking area, and a Main Stage headlined by Hot2Go! (A Chappell Roan Tribute), local drag royalty, DJ Nova Jade & more!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Cost: FREE, for All-Ages & packed with magic from morning until night!

FREE SHUTTLE (10 AM – 6 PM): Park & ride from Nanaimo North Town Centre or Nanaimo City Hall (Dunsmuir St.). Drop-off is right at Maffeo Sutton Park! Map & schedule coming soon!

Parade Viewing Tent: Located at Dallas Square Park (First-come, first-served from 10 AM). Includes accessible washrooms, Vocal Eye Audio Description, and large-print descriptions.

Festival Viewing Tents: Located near the Main Stage. Features ASL interpretation, Audio Description, and includes one strictly mask-mandatory tent and one open tent.

Stay Cool & Comfortable: Features a Cooling Zone (misters & water) courtesy of Tourism Nanaimo, a dedicated Canucks Autism Network Sensory Space, and free essentials at Pride HQ.

Parking: General park parking is closed. Accessible parking is available with a valid placard, and Saysutshun ferry and Festival drop off is available! (Check out downtown parkades here: https://www.nanaimo.ca/.../depa.../2019-downtown-parking.pdf)

For ALL the details and further accessibility info, visit our website: https://www.nanaimopride.ca/even.../nanaimo-pride-festival-1

Gather your friends, your family, your loudest cheers, & your brightest colours. Let’s make history together, Nanaimo!

(Not my event! Sharing for exposure)

Hi everyone! The VIU Board Games Club is hosting a free Game Tournament at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Regional Library on Sunday, May 24 (1–6 PM)!

Featuring Pokémon Splendor Tournament + casual strategy games like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, and Harmonies.

Free snacks, coffee & beginner-friendly game tutorials provided!

Open to students and the public - no experience needed.

If you’d like to join, scan the QR code on the poster or get in touch with the event coordinators at one of their socials. (Also on the poster).