Q is an accomplished fiddler & a powerful voice for justice. Join them for a rare, intimate concert in the heart of Quadra Village.
Q Brooke Bachand is a highly accomplished fiddler & folk singer with a big heart and powerful voice. They have played folk festivals & stages around the world.
Join us for an evening of music and community. There will be a full cafe menu available, with a variety of alcoholic & non-alchoholic beverages, tasty appetizers & meals, and lots of gluten-free options.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Limited seating available at Caffe Fantastico. We recommend reserving a seat in advance. (Early bird discount)
—Sliding Scale $15 & up in Advance, on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1716984048509?aff=oddtdtcreator
or by e-transfer to:
aW5mbyB8IHNpbGVudGRqdmljdG9yaWEgISBjb20=
—Sliding Scale $20 & up at the Door, cash or e-transfer)
A portion of all proceeds go to support Madleen & her family and neighbours curently living in a refugee camp in Gaza City.
ABOUT Q:
Q (they/them) is a two-time Irish Music Award-winning, nonbinary, folk and Celtic artist, born and raised on the Esquimalt /Songhees and Lekwungen-speaking territories, where they are now once again rooted after years of study and performance abroad in Amsterdam and Limerick. Of mixed ancestry, including Scottish and Irish heritage, Q brings a deep, ancestral pulse to their music and art.
Formerly known as Qristina Brooke Bachand, Q is a dynamic and charismatic performer known for their powerful fiddle playing, emotive vocals, and raw, engaging stage presence. Once a teen fiddle prodigy, they have since evolved into a bold, butch troubadour of rebel ballads, resistance songs, and foot-stomping traditional tunes.
Their performances move between riotous energy and poignant stillness—capable of drawing tears or sparking collective joy. Q’s journey has been one of transformation—embracing their nonbinary identity, mental health challenges, and life purpose through the healing and expressive power of music and abstract visual art. Their influences range from Phil Ochs and Dick Gaughan to the rich oral traditions of Celtic song and story-sharing. Whether singing a cappella protest ballads or launching into a whirlwind of fiddle fire, Q’s performances are both soulful and subversive.
With formal training in classical violin and an MA in Traditional Irish Music Performance (first-class honours, University of Limerick), Q’s fiddle playing is known for its rich tone, expressive nuance, and sheer passion. They’ve received numerous scholarships and accolades, including full scholarships to study Irish fiddle at Ceili Camp (Harrison Hot Springs) and Cape Breton fiddle at the Gaelic College (Nova Scotia). They also hold an MSc in Infectious Diseases & Public Health from VU Amsterdam, where they conducted field research in Kasese District, Uganda—evidence of their curiosity, compassion, and commitment to a more just world.
Q is the current president of the Victoria Fiddle Society and a sought-after fiddle teacher and mentor, having taught at festivals, schools, and camps across Canada, the US, and Europe. Highlights include the Leahy Music Camp (Ontario), Goderich Celtic Roots College, Fiddler’s Farm (Netherlands), and workshops with undergrad and graduate students at the University of Limerick.
A proud mad artist living with schizoaffective disorder, Q finds inspiration and meaning through their experiences with mental illness, addiction, and recovery. Their music and art are vital tools of resilience—illuminating the struggle and joy of being alive in a body and world that often defies easy understanding.
“Liquid-clear vocal ... masterful fiddling ... beginning with the clarity, if not majesty, of Q's vocal strengths ... the stage is set for what's to follow as they shake the Celtic tree.”
— Eric Thom, Penguin Eggs
No one turned away due to lack of funds. Contact us to reserve a spot if you are facing financial barriers.
Also check out other Arts events in Victoria, Music events in Victoria, Entertainment events in Victoria.
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