Welcome to the thirteenth annual Oysters, Authors, & Ale! We’re so glad you’re here. Tonight is all about good food, great beer, literacy, and celebrating our Bamfield community. Please take a moment to relax, enjoy the flavors, meet your neighbors, and discover everything the Bamfield Community School Association (BCSA) does to keep our community vibrant. Thank you for coming and supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Tickets
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at The Bamfield Mercantile and Marine (https://www.bamfieldmercantile.ca/) , The Market (https://www.hfngroup.ca/businesses/the-market-and-cafe/), or by emailing us at managerbcsa@gmail.com. Tickets will be available at the door by cash or e-transfer, but we recommend purchasing in advance so you don’t end up waiting in line in the rain!
Tickets include one raffle prize ticket, two oysters, and a beer (the beer ticket can also be used for a cider or a non-alcoholic drink).
This is a 19+ event.
Tonight’s Event Schedule
| Time | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 PM | Doors Open | Welcome to OAA 2025! Come in, grab some snacks and a drink, and have a look at our silent auction! |
| 6:00 PM | Sit Down | Bar closes, grab a seat, and get ready for our first round of authors. |
| 6:10 PM | Welcome to Huu‑ay‑aht territory & opening remarks | Meet your MC Taylor Ford-Sahibzada, and be welcomed by Stella Peters. |
| 6:20 – 7:00 PM | First Round of Author Talks | Short talks from our talented local writers, including Nancy Hendry, Kynat Bhinder, Jesse Patterson, and Sophie Dufresne. |
| 7:00 – 7:45 PM | Intermission #1 | Hot and raw oysters are served, the bar re-opens, and you have time to bid on silent auction items! Mingle and have fun! |
| 7:45 – 8:15 PM | Second Round of Author Talks | Bar closes, grab a seat, and get ready for more inspiring voices: David Giblin, and Algebra Young. |
| 8:15 – 9:00 PM | Intermission #2 | More oysters are served, the bar re-opens, and you have time to bid on silent auction items. The silent auction bidding and the bar CLOSES at the end of this intermission! |
| 9:00 – 9:45 PM | Last Round of Author Talks | Final round of talks by Amelia Vos, Taylor Ford-Sahibzada, and Birgit Gagne. Closing remarks by Jomy Thomas. |
| 9:45 – 10:15 PM | Winner Announcements & Thanks | Raffle & silent auction winners announced; thanks from BCSA Directors. |
Tip: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to folks, chat with authors, enjoy a snack, or grab a drink during intermissions. Tonight is all about community, conversation, and connection!
Beers from Twin City Brewing ~ $6
We’re excited to feature Twin City Brewing, a local craft brewery based in Port Alberni. Founded by Aaron Colyn, Twin City Brewing is built on the principles of community, creativity, and connection. Aaron’s journey started with a homebrewing hobby, which grew into a passion for craft beer and bringing people together.
Twin City Brewing’s beers are inspired by Port Alberni’s history – originally two towns, Alberni and Port Alberni, united after the 1964 tsunami, embodying resilience, cooperation, and community spirit.
| Beer Name | Style | ABV | IBU | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tickity Boo | British Pale Ale | 5.5% | 29 | This beer is all about the toffee and caramel flavors emphasized by imported British Pale Malt. Malt-forward but amazingly dry with a balanced addition of British Hops. |
| Spruce Tip Swedish Gymnast | Blonde Ale w/ Spruce Tips | 5.0% | 24 | Award winning Swedish Gymnast with a hint of spruce tips for a unique West Coast twist. Here is the description for the normal Swedish Gymnast: A light blonde with a lot of hops. All jokes aside, this hybrid mash-up is part blonde ale, part India Session Ale, and part American Wheat Ale. Using only a pineapple-citrus forward hop variety called Citra this beer is heavy on tropical hop flavour without an overwhelming bitterness. |
| Unicycle | Sour IPA | 6.0% | 15 | Hopped sky high with Talus, this beer shows of a delicate blend of grapefruit zest, dried roses, tropical fruits, and floral potpourri. |
| Detour | Strawberry Peach Summer Ale | 5.0% | 12 | Fruity and aromatic, perfect for summer vibes! |
| Spark Chaser | Smoked Red Ale | 6.3% | 20 | An American Red Ale with a clean finish and pronounced smoke character. The color comes from a mix of dark crystal and roasted barley. Imported German Beechwood Smoked Malt gives it its signature flavour. Restrained malt sweetness, this beer is a perfect pint for the Fall and pairs very well with food. |
| Run of the Mill | West Coast IPA | 7.0% | 51 | Light in color, bold in hops. This hop-forward ode to the West Coast packs the citrus and pine flavor. |
Oysters from Nova Harvest ~ $4 each or 3 for $10
Our oysters come from Nova Harvest Ltd., a local aquaculture company committed to sustainable shellfish farming on here in Bamfield. Since 2011, Nova Harvest has combined science, innovation, and local knowledge to provide high-quality oysters to the BC coast.
Their process includes:
- Hatchery: A state-of-the-art, land-based facility producing consistent, high-quality shellfish seed.
- Nursery: Ocean-based nursery in pristine Barkley Sound waters, providing the perfect environment for oyster growth.
- Farm: Operated in partnership with Huu-ay-aht First Nations, supporting sustainable oyster production and local communities.
- Processing: Turning seed into slurp-ready oysters at their Port Alberni facility, contributing to BC’s sustainable seafood industry.
Thank you to our friends at Nova Harvest for providing and shucking oysters for us to enjoy at this event! Learn more about Nova Harvest here: https://novaharvest.com/
BBQ Oysters
Chef: Ilan Perez is a scientist and culinary expert who uses precision and creativity to bring out the best in every oyster. He will prepare two special cooked oyster dishes and a couple of mignonette sauces for the raw oysters.
Cooked Oysters:
- Signature Curry Oysters (GF, DF)
- Oxaca Feller
Mignonette Sauces:
- Ibiscus Mignonette
- Cilantro, Shallot, Tequila Mignonette
Talented Local Writers & Poets
We’re thrilled to welcome a fantastic lineup of authors and poets to Oysters, Authors & Ale. Each of them brings a unique voice, perspective, and story to share – whether it’s through prose, poetry, or something else entirely! Prepare to be inspired, entertained, and maybe even moved!
Speakers featured at Oysters, Authors, and Ale 2025:
- Nancy Hendry
- Kynat Bhinder
- Jesse Patterson
- Sophie Dufresne
- David Giblin
- Algebra Young
- Amelia Vos
- Taylor Ford-Sahibzada
- Birgit Gagne
Snacks from The Bamfield Wreckage
Our snacks are provided by The Bamfield Wreckage, a collaborative of locals dedicated to great food, drinks, and community spirit. Inspired by the 1902 SS Valencia shipwreck and the resilient spirit of Bamfield, the Wreckage embodies the rough-and-ready charm of our community.
While they’re currently closed for regular hours, keep an eye on their socials for pop-up events, including trivia nights, live music, and open mic nights – perfect opportunities to eat, drink, and be merry with neighbors and friends. Learn more about The Bamfield Wreckage here: https://www.bamfieldwreckage.ca/
The Bamfield Wreckage has also sourced us wine ($7 for 7oz.) and for the event! Here is the wine list:
We also have Lonetree Dry Apple Cider ($5) and Non-Alcoholic ($3) options including non-alcoholic beer, Bubbly drinks, San Pellegrinos, and Kombucha.
About the BCSA
The purpose of the Bamfield Community School Association (BCSA) is to build a community where residents of all ages can experience the empowerment that comes from learning and connecting. We aim to enhance, coordinate, and create personal development opportunities in Bamfield, ensuring everyone has access to the resources and programs they need to reach their full potential. So, what do we actually do? The BCSA works to develop new events, programs, and workshops that engage the community across our various mandates. We are constantly applying for grants and finding resources to better the lives of people in our community.
Our work includes supporting community literacy, learning initiatives, and creating opportunities to keep minds and bodies active through social events, sports, and classes. In addition, we conduct community research to identify what programs and resources are needed so that everyone’s needs can be met. The BCSA thrives thanks to the support of local organizations, grants, donations, and the commitment of our volunteers. Every program and event we run is designed to connect people, foster learning, and celebrate the spirit of Bamfield.