Once In A Lifetime - ‘The One And Done’ Music Festival

If you’ve ever been part of a local music scene, we don’t have to tell you about how ephemeral it all can feel. Bands come and go, people age out. Nothing lasts forever. As Tasia Bold, the mind behind The One and Done mini-festival/art market, puts it: “You have to support our local venues as much as you can while you still have the chance to do it. You could miss a show, and then the next time the venue’s shut down.” The fragility of it all is top of mind for Bold, whose July 25th event is as much a thematic statement and a reminder of this as it is an outlet for artistic expression and a chance for attendees to dance, have fun, connect with others and share in a sense of community. 

The One and Done is as advertised - a one-time-only event, and Tasia is putting everything into it. “I think I definitely went a little overkill with it,” Tasia admits, “but it’s one of those moments where it’s like, this is my one chance to do everything that I want to do, so I need to do everything.” On top of a powerhouse lineup of all Vancouver local bands - Cherry Pick, Tiger Really, Benzonn, Blue Rivera, Jian & Kitten Co. and Saving Grace - the event (lovingly referred to as TOAD) boasts so much more: a market featuring all local artists and small businesses, a keychain workshop courtesy of Lachouette Studio, free bannock, special guests and exclusive, brand new merch. 

“With the art market side, I didn’t want the artists to just supplement the show - I wanted it to be 50/50. There’s a really big overlap between people who like live events and art markets. This is a chance to push people in both of those directions, to discover new things they might like.” 

The mission statement of the whole thing is unmistakable. Nearly all of the artists and businesses appearing at the event are brand new to vending at live concerts. The venue has never hosted a show before. Tasia is encouraging the bands to try things they don’t usually get to do, play old songs, try new ones, change the setlist around. They’ve even convinced a nearby restaurant to stay open past their usual closing time to make sure you get a chance to try it out! It’s all in service of the night’s theme: all of this is temporary, so get out there and experience something fresh, something new. Connect with others. Check out something you never thought to check out before - you might just dig it. 

TOAD seems to be a full circle moment for Tasia, who’s movement into the scene started with one of the bands performing at their show. “The local scene wasn’t a part of my life up until very very recently. I didn’t get it at first. I’d just go if my friends were going and invited me. But I just had to find the right music. It started with Tiger Really…I saw them in 2023 and I was like ‘okay, now I’m starting to get it.’’’ 

Hosting a show wasn’t something they ever thought was even possible, until post-concert-weekend debriefs with their boss led to an offer to lend the workspace out to throw a show. Now, less than a week out, Tasia is sorting out final details and putting the finishing touches to make this one of a kind show happen. “I didn’t have a plan going into it, I just made a spreadsheet of everything I wanted to do, and then it was just about seeing how possible that is.” 

It’s a lot of work, but they do recommend it. A reminder from Tasia for those trying to make their own event happen: “Enjoy the process, and the learning curve and all these experiences that come with it because it’s so cool. There are few things in this world that are as liberating as going to a local show. There’s nothing I’ve found that compares to that experience. It’s so important for the soul.”

When asked for a last word on the event, which kicks off with doors opening at 5:30pm at 1611 Valmont Way in Richmond on July 25th, Tasia had this to say: “I’m doing everything I can to make this an unforgettable experience. I don’t want it to just be a show, I want it to be an experience. It’s a community event. It wouldn’t happen without all my friends and everyone who is supporting the scene…it’s gonna be a banger.”

Advanced Tickets Available Here: https://gigpit.ca/shows/event:0TkxYt9_ryo

AND if you want to get to know your host just a little better:

Bands Not On The Bill That Tasia Loves and Wanted To Shoutout: 

Cascade, Chopping Spree, Dirty Aesthetic, Sundress, Still Depths

First Local Show: 

Woolworm and Rinse Dream at The Lido

First Concert Ever:

One Direction

Most Memorable Show They’ve Been To Recently: 

Rage Against The Pipeline at the Cobalt