Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at Creekside Theatre

Published on February 21, 2023 by David Wylie

Photo: David Wylie/OJ

Sitting in a wooden chair with his road-worn guitar in hand, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald performed his first show of 2023 in front of a Lake Country crowd.

The Creekside Theatre performance drew longtime fans from throughout the region. Song requests shouted out from the crowd during the solo performance ranged from more recent Fitzgerald songs, ‘Our River’ and ‘Heart of It’ off his 2020 Love Valley album, all the way back to the song ‘Maxine,’ from his 2009 album MBF Love.

Fitzgerald’s music has evolved over the decade from upbeat pop to the current mellow folk style, which melds finger-picked guitar riffs and his calm vocal cadence.

The Calgary-based artist has released four albums so far, and he told the crowd he’s working on a new one.

During his years of touring, Fitzgerald has shared the stage with top-tier artists including Bryan Adams, Sam Roberts, and Kings of Leon.

The mesmerizing Leila Neverland opened the show.

With a personality as big and bold as her hair, Neverland toured us through her love life—from divorce to rebound to new romance.

Her soaring vocals backed by her flexible keyboard skills stretched from ballad to rap.

And her entertaining crowd work engaged the audience, leaving us with a new understanding of “mushrooms on pizza.”

Neverland is from the Okanagan.

Catch Treasure Island in Lake Country

Coming up this week at Creekside Theatre is a high school production of Treasure Island.

It’s directed by Lee Schwartz and presented by GESS Drama.

The show opens this Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. It runs Feb. 24 and 28, as well as March 1 and 2, in a mix of evening and matinee performances.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Buy tickets online.