Roving stilt-walker - “nucleus bubbles” at Folk Fest (Courtesy of Vancouver Folk Music Festival)

Summer on the Coast is magical. Dazzling blue skies, mountain vistas and azure waters are the colourful palette for a wonderland of things to do—street fairs, open-air markets, festivals, outdoor concerts, sporting events—or simply sipping cocktails on a patio as you watch it all go by! Coastlines brings you the best of summer festivals and events across the West Coast. By Belinda Bruce

12 • July | August 2008

12-16_Feature_Jul08_Final.indd 12 6/13/08 12:59:14 PM Music For one magic weekend each July since Bop over to the renowned Vancouver Island 1977, thousands have flocked to the MusicFest ( July 11-13) on the Exhibition Vancouver Folk Music Festival (July Grounds in Courtenay to catch any of 200 18-20), rain or shine. At its balmy digs in musical performers play on five stages including Jericho Beach Park, this three-day open- (Christopher The Wailers, Taj Mahal, Earl Scruggs, The air event presents an eclectic blend of Gaze), the Fool Weakerthans and Elliot Brood. You’ll also folk, roots and world music on seven (Patti Allen), King Lear/Bard on the find instructional workshops, yoga sessions, an outdoor stages, framed by the dramatic Beach (David Cooper) interactive kidzzone, art displays, a beer and backdrop of ocean and mountains. cider tent, food and craft vendors and on-site Named one of the top 10 outdoor Theatre camping. INFO: www.islandmusicfest.com events in North America by USA Today, The 24th Annual Islands Folk Festival ( July the festival stacks up some world-class What could be more enchanting than watching 25-27) on the beautiful Providence Farm in entertainment each year. This year’s classic drama on a beach under an open-ended Duncan hosts non-stop music featuring over 40 international lineup includes electro- performance tent where actors perform against a Canadian and international acts, plus BC Clettes acoustic Indo-Irish fusion band Dehli backdrop of the city skyline and mountains? Bicycle Dance Team, jamming, workshops, 2 Dublin, folk-rock star Aimee Mann, Experience just this romance of a summer’s an open stage, food and craft vendors, and a New Orleans jazz vocalist John Boutté, eve at the 19th annual Bard on the Beach children’s activity area. INFO: 250.748.3975, Los Angeles’ multi-ethnic Ozomatli, Shakespeare Festival (Until Sept 27) in www.folkfest.bc.ca African songstress Eneida Marta and Vancouver’s seaside Vanier Park. The festival the trance-like music of the Moroccan has seen its attendance rocket from 6,000 in its group The Master Musicians of Jajouka. first summer to more than 86,000 in 2007. In Dedicated to showcasing Canadian fact, a sell-out season last year prompted Bard’s talent, homegrown performers include Founder and Artistic Director Christopher Spirit of the West, Indo-Canadian Gaze to extend this year’s fest by one week. musician Kiran Ahluwalia, country-punk Featuring , King Lear, Twelfth chanteuse Carolyn Mark and upcoming Night and , the 2008 festival also surf-folk-pop-rock star Hayley Sayles. showcases the talents of two new young female More than just concerts, the fest hosts directors: Meg Roe and Kim Collier directing roving performers, music workshops, Tempest and Titus, respectively. Gaze, who has an artisans market, healing arts and acted in and directed several plays at Bard over food from around the globe. INFO: the years, hits a personal milestone this year 604.602.9798, www.thefestival.bc.ca with the lead role in the great tragedy King Lear: “I’ve played the Fool, Oswald, Cornwall, The Gentleman, but never Lear. It’s a big moment in Above: Jericho Beach Park is the beautiful setting for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (Tourism Vancouver/Dannielle my life.” Hayes); Right: Vancouver Folk Fest performers Jayme Stone Why do audiences keep coming back for and Mansa Sissoko fuse blues, folk, and traditional African Bard? “We do it well,” says Gaze. “We don’t melodies (Courtesy of Vancouver Folk Music Festival) repeat our productions, especially comedies. Another hot ticket is the inaugural Pemberton And Shakespeare keeps audiences coming Festival ( July 25-27), a musical weekend taking back. The more you know these plays, the more place at the foot of Mount Currie in Pemberton. you discover in them.” INFO: 1.877.739.0559, The lineup includes Coldplay, Jay–Z, Tom Petty, www.bardonthebeach.org The Flaming Lips The Tragically Hip, Death If drama under the starry heavens is your drug Cab for Cutie, and more. INFO: 1.800.594.8499, of choice, you’ll also enjoy Theatre Under the www.pembertonfestival.com Stars at Stanley Park’s outdoor theatre, Malkin Over in Gulf Island territory, the Hornby Bowl. Productions run on alternating nights: Island Festival (July 31–August 9) at Jesus Christ Superstar ( July 9–August 16) and Hornby Hall includes classical, jazz, world Annie Get Your Gun ( July 10–August 15). beat and traditional genres of music, modern INFO: 604.231.7535, www.tuts.ca dance, children’s programming, theatre and Head to Vancouver Island for the Victoria spoken word. Fringe Theatre Festival (August 21- For a dose of classical, jazz and world music, 31), featuring hundreds of shows on six head to Festival Vancouver (August 3-17) downtown stages including Fringekids Fest at various venues. This year’s programming (August 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). INFO: www. spotlight is Music of the Americas featuring top intrepidtheatre.com performers from South and Central America

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12-16_Feature_Jul08_Final.indd 13 6/13/08 1:01:28 PM Comox Nautical Days (August 2-4) at Comox Marina is a great family festival happening over the BC Day weekend. Saturday: Function Junktion Kid’s Day, Bullhead Derby, Dragon Boat Festival, Canoe Jousting. Sunday: International Bathtub Race, Youth Park Party. Monday: parade; Build, Bail & Sail Race, Ceremony of Flags and . INFO: 250.338.1120, www.comox.ca/discover-comox/ nautical-days The 2008 North Island Logger Sports (August 8-10) in Nunns Creek Park, Campbell River is a celebration of forestry, the area’s primary industry. This world-class heritage sporting event depicts the past and present logging practices through entertaining competitions See beautiful old ships at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival in the Inner Harbour (Tyler Ahlgren) between local and international loggers. INFO: 250.287.2005, www.crsalmonfestival.com Tub racer at the Great International The Youbou Regatta (August 9) taking place Bathtub Race, Nanaimo Marine Festival (The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society) Sports & Recreation in Arbutus Park, Youbou, is a fun-filled day at the beach with water races and land events for all ages. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, For a fantastic cultural and sporting event parade, barbecue, outdoor music and adult dance rooted in Chinese history, hit the dragon boat For some good clean fun, check out in the evening. INFO: 250.745.3712, www.cvrd. summer racing circuit. While in Nanaimo, the 42nd annual Great International bc.ca/rec/clr/index.htm check out the 5th Annual Dragon Boat Bathtub Race (July 27) in the Lace up your cross trainers for the XTC Festival (July 11-13) in Maffeo-Sutton Nanaimo harbour. From a log tub to Campbell River Off-Road Multisport Race Park, featuring competing teams from all a barge tub named “Straight Flush” (August 11&12) at McIvor Lake in Campbell over BC and the US. INFO: 250.754.1991, with a row of toilets, this 57-km race River. The day kicks off with the full-distance Off- www.nanaimodragonboat.com. Victoria’s Inner has seen some wild ‘race tubs’ cross Road Triathlon & Duathlon and the Trail Run/ Harbour is host to the colourful and exciting the finish line. The thrilling race is the Walk race, followed by the half distance Off-Road Victoria Dragon Boat Festival (August 15-17) highlight of the Nanaimo Marine Triathlon & Duathlon. There’s also a Kids Race. where 90 teams from across North America race Festival (July 24-27), a four-day party INFO: www.xtccanada.com across a 500-metre saltwater course. Enjoy free offering plenty of other land and The 3rd Annual Discovery Passage Boat concerts and movies, Chinese Tea Ceremonies, water events including the SPCA Pet Rodeo (August 17) in Campbell River’s Robert food at the Asian Bazaar, mahjong and martial Parade, Kiddies Karnival and fireworks Ostler Park brings you a day of water sports arts demonstrations. Don’t miss the spectacular in the harbour on Saturday, July 26. featuring a tugboat rodeo, rowboat races, war- Lights of Courage where over 1,000 lanterns INFO: 250.753.RACE (7223), www. canoe, dragon boat racing, sailboat races and are hung, honouring loved ones who have bathtubbing.com various other boating events on the shores of battled cancer. INFO: 250.704.2500 www. the Discovery Passage. victoriadragonboat.com If marine culture floats your boat, visit the Heated competition at the Victoria Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival (August Dragon Boat Festival in the Inner Harbour 21-24) on charming Granville Island. This (Deddeda Stemler/Tourism Victoria) free event hosts hands-on boat building and demonstrations including knot-tying, marine storytellers, boat rides and weekend races. Sail into the Labour Day long weekend at the 31st Victoria Classic Boat Festival (August 29-31) in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Walk aboard vessels open to the public or watch smaller boats, both motor and steam, running around the harbour. The Sunday morning Sailpast is always a great spectacle. INFO: 250.385.7766, www.classicboatfestival.ca With so much to see and do, summer never looked better!

16 • July | August 2008

12-16_Feature_Jul08_Final.indd 16 6/13/08 1:03:24 PM “style”—the annual Japanese Canadian festival Party BC! features sumo wrestling, martial arts demos, Taiko drumming, folk and modern dance, celebrates its 150th music, visual arts, and Japanese food, crafts and anniversary through BC 150—a year- displays. INFO: www.powellstreetfestival.com long cavalcade of festivals, artwork Another great party is the Pride Festival and events, large and small. (August 3) at Sunset Beach in Vancouver. The crowning event is Festival 150 Celebrating “30 Years of the Rainbow”, the Pride (August 1-4), a four-day extravaganza Parade begins at Robson and Thurlow at noon of free family-oriented activities and finishes at Sunset Beach. With 140 parade taking place in the provincial capital, entries and 385,000 spectators, this is a MUST- all around Victoria’s beautiful Inner SEE summer event. The party continues after Harbour. “BC150 is about celebrating the parade with live music on the Vancity Festival our diversity, community strength and Stage, vendors and a beer garden. INFO: www. achievements—and Festival 150 truly vancouverpride.ca/events captures that spirit,” said Tourism, Sport The 9th Vancouver Chinatown Festival Food & Drink and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen. (August 9&10/Columbia & Keefer) is the Many favourite annual community largest multicultural summer celebration Summer means fresh fruits and vegetables events will be part of the festivities in the neighbourhood. Enjoy food tastings, galore. Foodies will love the Organic Islands including Symphony Splash (August BMX Bike Stunts Shows, a youth talent Festival & Sustainability Expo ( July 5&6) at 3), a mixture of pops and classics from show, Chinese folk art demos, kids corner Glendale Garden & Woodlands in Victoria. an orchestra and guest performers set and a sustainable transportation area. INFO: Proudly ’s largest outdoor ‘green’ festival, up on a barge moored in the harbour. www.vancouver-chinatown.com the food extravaganza includes over 100 Fire Bells & Fanfare will feature a exhibits, presentations, natural food demos and parade and static displays of 70 pieces entertainment. INFO: www.organicislands.ca of historical fire fighting equipment, Celebrate a particularly sweet berry at the free and the free, dance-oriented Victoria Saanich Strawberry Festival ( July 6) in Beaver Electronic Music Festival (August 2 Lake Park, located in the Saanich district of & 3) takes place in Centennial Square. Victoria. Activities will include a petting farm, Other events include a children’s pony rides, relay races, arts and craft stations, activity zone, a multi-day Best of BC a pie-eating contest, beach entertainment and Stage, a showcase of the province’s more. INFO: 250.475.5558 food producers, and a main stage Need a little altitude to ‘lift your spirits’? Hike concert finale on the holiday Monday over to Raven Lodge, Mount Washington Alpine featuring internationally acclaimed Resort. Besides amazing vistas, both the 9th BC performers. Free concerts on the Annual BeerFest ( July 9) and the 10th Annual Legislative lawns throughout the Alpine Wine Festival (August 8) offer tastings, weekend will include a special acoustic a souvenir glass and live music. INFO: TF: set by Platinum recording artist Sarah 1.888.231.1499, www.mountwashington.ca Top right: Fresh fruit and veggies star at the McLachlan, big band legend Dal Organics Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo (Organic At the popular Galiano Wine Festival Richards, Burton Cummings, Colin Islands Festival/Julie Anderson); Above: Free B Film (August 9) on beautiful Galiano Island, James and many others. Festival in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria (Amy Aikman); Bottom admission includes unlimited tastings, a right: Strawberries are celebrated at the Organic Islands For more information on Festival Fest in Victoria and the Saanich Strawberry Festival crystal wine glass, fresh-made finger food and 150 and a full calendar of events, see (Organic Islands Festival/ Julie Anderson) entertainment by Brad Prevedoros. INFO: www.bcfestival150.ca www.galianoisland.com/winefestival Literary Arts

Join the fun at the Duncan-Cowichan Literature lovers should book over to Rockwood Summer Festival ( July 13-19) where you’ll find Centre in Sechelt for the Annual Sunshine free musical entertainment, rides and activities Coast Festival of the Written Arts (August for the kids and a Grand Parade, all happening 14-17). While readings by Michael Ondaatje, in various locations around Duncan. INFO: Elizabeth Hay and Chantal Hébert sold out www.cowichanfestival.com back in May, this year’s stellar lineup of authors The Powell Street Festival (August 2&3) in includes Paul Quarrington, Gail Anderson- Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park is an aural and Dargatz, Dave Bidini and Will Ferguson, among visual delight. This year themed Sensu—an all- others. INFO: TF: 1.800.565.9631, www. encompassing, modern Japanese word meaning writersfestival.ca

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12-16_Feature_Jul08_Final.indd 15 6/13/08 3:53:34 PM and the US. INFO: 604.688.1152, www. Dance festivalvancouver.ca Maffeo-Sutton Park in Downtown Nanaimo If the idea of “wild visual fantasies in a dizzying is the lush setting for Symphony in the Harbour continuum” sounds interesting, the Dancing 2008: Around the World in 80 Minutes on the Edge Festival 2008 ( July 3-12) is for (August 9). The Vancouver Island Symphony, you. Taking place at the Firehall Arts Centre in under the direction of Pierre Simard, presents downtown Vancouver, the fest celebrates 20 years its 8th Annual Symphony in the Harbour, with cutting-edge dance works exploring the art rain or shine. Sponsored by Harbour Air, this of dance and the talents of local choreographers. free community show will feature orchestral INFO: 604.689.0691, www.firehallartscentre.ca favourites for all ages. While there check out Luminara promises dazzling lantern displays ArtsFair 2008. Kids activities begin at 4:30 (Sumeet Wadwha/ Tourism Victoria) p.m. in the Go Green Symphony Zoo. INFO: www.viso.bc.ca/harbour.html 9-acre waterfront Filberg Heritage Lodge and Downtown Nanaimo also hosts Summertime Park. Musical guests include Dustin Bentall, Blues! 2008 (August 15-17/ 23&24) in Fred Eaglesmith and Spirit of the West, among Harbourfront Plaza, two weekends of others. INFO: www.filbergfestival.com free outdoor Blues concerts. INFO: www. The 20th Anniversary Vancouver Queer nanaimobluesfestival.com Film Festival (Aug 14-24), happening at the Besides being one of Victoria’s most beautiful Stanley Theatre on Granville Street, is THE attractions with 22 ha (55 acres) of gorgeous post-pride event. Expect a range of leading-edge floral display, The Butchart Gardens offers programming that pushes the envelope. INFO: summer entertainment under the stars. Enjoy 604.844.1615, www.outonscreen.com a different performance each night, from 1940s swing music through to West Coast Celtic or light salon music with a string quartet. And Dancing on the Edge Festival showcases local talent Culture & Heritage Saturday nights, spread out your blanket on the (Tourism Vancouver/Dannielle Hayes) grass for a spectacular display of pyrotechnics If you missed the spectacular Tall Ships Victoria set to music at Fireworks at Butchart Gardens. Visual Arts festival, which happened in late June, you still INFO: www.butchartgardens.com/ent have a chance to see some mighty big marine Attracting a crowd of nearly 300,000 on Fancy a lovely country drive and visual feast vessels at the 4th Annual Westcoast Maritime Vancouver’s English Bay Beach and some of the all in one? Visit the Visions Art Studio Tour Festival ( July 13-16) in Tofino. This boat- world’s leading fireworks designers, the HSBC ( July 4-13) in Duncan where 24 artist studios lovers fest features dockside tours, day sails and ( July 23–August 2) is open their doors for 10 days of extraordinary gun battles by the tall ships Lady Washington considered one of the most prestigious pyro- showings. This self-guided, free tour covers and Hawaiian Chieftain, First Nations canoe musical fireworks competitions in the world. all parts of the Cowichan Valley, taking you to journeys, static displays of vessels and aircraft INFO: www.celebration-of-light.com visit painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, at the Coastguard Base, model boat regatta, July 23: Canada jewellery makers, fabric designers and others. marine-themed arts and crafts, and food. INFO: July 26: USA INFO: www.visionsarttour.ca www.tonquinfoundation.org July 30: China The popular Luminara in Victoria’s Beacon August 2: Grand Finale Hill Park ( July 21) is an evening sparkling Totem, acrylic on canvas, with a pageant of colourful handmade lanterns, by Duncan artist Leanne Brusatore, creative installations and acoustic music. HSBC Celebration of Light on English Bay, Visions Art Vancouver (Tourism BC) INFO: www.luminaravictoria.com. The Tofino Studio Tour Lantern Festival (August 24) in the Tofino Botanical Gardens is equally enchanting. INFO: www.raincoasteducation.org If you miss the open-air wonder of drive-in theatres, every Saturday night in August, enjoy free B-movies under a starry sky at Victoria’s Free B Film Festival in Beacon Hill Park. Bonus: two 3D Fridays, too. Don’t forget to tote your own snacks, flashlights and blankets! INFO: www.victoriafilmfestival.com The Filberg Festival (August 1-4) in Comox features more than 120 artisans, great food and lively entertainment for all ages on the beautiful

14 • July | August 2008

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