Ministers Island Concert: Bouhala with Isaac & Blewett & Ryan LeBlanc Live

On a clear evening at Ministers Island, New Brunswick, a white Grand Marquee becomes a rare coastal concert hall where salt air and live music meet. Bouhala with Isaac & Blewett & Ryan LeBlanc offers a concentrated, one-hour performance that stitches Acadian song forms, North African rhythms, and guitar-forward folk and blues into a single, irresistible set. The show takes place in the island’s marquee tent close to tide-flattened mudflats and weathered shoreline; visitors typically arrive by driving across the tidal causeway from nearby St. Andrews, and the landscape—flat sandbars, coastal grasses, and open water—shapes the evening’s atmosphere. Bouhala, a Moncton-based duo, blends Acadian melody with North African roots instrumentation, layering hand percussion and modal lines over dance-ready grooves. Isaac and Blewett bring guitar and cello arrangements that move between intimate folk storytelling, smoky blues phrasing, and late-night swing rhythms. Ryan LeBlanc’s percussive guitar style is at once rhythm section and solo voice, offering counterintuitive patterns that are sonically mesmerising and full of groove. Alone each act satisfies; together they create interlocking textures and call-and-response passages that feel composed for a close, attentive crowd. Beyond the roster, the concert is an experience of place. The Grand Marquee’s open sides let the sea breeze into the listening room while the Bay of Fundy’s tidal drama plays out over the flats; low tide exposes patterned sand and marsh plants, and migrating shorebirds often punctuate the horizon. Your ticket includes island admission one hour prior to the event, so you can arrive early to walk the shoreline, photograph the changing light, or visit historic structures scattered across the island. The concert is supported by funding from Explore St. Andrews, which helps sustain seasonal cultural programming that complements the island’s outdoor attractions. Practicalities are straightforward: show length is about one hour and the meeting point is the Grand Marquee. Two concert food combos are available by pre-order—Combo 1: Chicken salad wrap, fruit cup & homemade cookie ($36 plus HST & booking fee); Combo 2: Lobster roll, chowder bowl & homemade cookie ($46 plus HST & booking fee)—order cutoff is midnight the evening before. Limited seating and island logistics reward early arrival and thoughtful planning: bring a windproof layer, comfortable shoes for the uneven sand and walkways, and your camera. For travelers seeking local music with a dramatic coastal backdrop, this Ministers Island evening delivers a compact, memorable fusion of region, rhythm, and place. Plan to book in advance during the island’s summer season, check tide times for your crossing, and consider combining the concert with a daytime walk or kayak trip from St. Andrews to extend the coastal experience—this is a short event that pairs with adventurous overnight stay or a relaxed day trip.