Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide Summer 2017 Photo: Wapiti Music Festival Music Wapiti Photo: TOURISMFERNIE.COM Summer 2017 The Communities of the Elk Valley In the heart of the majestic Canadian SPARWOOD lies in the middle of Rocky Mountains, the Elk Valley is a the valley and is the first community hidden oasis of verdant landscapes, reached on entering from Alberta. The charming towns and abundant town’s name is derived from the local recreation. For over 100 years, trees that were used for manufacturing pioneers have travelled to the region, spars for ocean vessels. The town was first in search of valuable minerals, and founded as a new home for the residents now seeking a sanctuary focused on of the temporary communities of A CULTURAL GUIDE TO FERNIE AND THE ELK VALLEY family, community and the beautiful Michel and Natal. Several art murals ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE outdoors. Mining still forms the base can be seen here, depicting the strong of a thriving economy that has now connection to coal mining, with some by Canada 150 in Fernie 4 diversified and welcomes a variety of Michelle Loughery who was born in the Summer Event Calendar 6 artisans, small businesses, and an active area and went on to become a world- Featured Summer Events 8 year-round recreational and cultural renowned muralist. Heritage Walking Tour of Fernie 10 tourism industry. Guided Summer Tours, Walks and Hikes 15 Pop: 3,784 | Founded 1966 The Fernie Museum and Downtown Visitor Centre 16 FERNIE is the largest and oldest of the 3 main communities in the Elk Valley. At the head of the valley is ELKFORD, The Arts Station 18 A town rich in heritage, award-winning a small town with a passionate arts Feature Artist: Mike Penny 19 architecture, and spectacular scenery, community. Writing, painting, Prohibition and Rum Running In Fernie 20 Fernie charms and delights all ages. photography, and pottery are among Fernie Heritage Library 22 Whether strolling century-old Historic the popular endeavours, and well- Feature Author: Gordon Sombrowski 23 Downtown, exploring the unique known glass artist Katherine Russell Cultural Attractions in the Elk Valley 24 geography, visiting artists and artisans or has a working studio here. Elkford is Galleries & Studios in the Elk Valley 26 revelling in the packed cultural calendar, the gateway to the Elk Lakes Provincial Ktunaxa Territory and the Squirrel of the Elk Valley 28 there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Park, a remote protected area bordering Coming This Fall 30 Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. Pop: 5,249 | Founded 1898 Incorporated 1904 Pop: 1,752 | Founded 1971 2 tourismfernie.com | ferniestoke.com #ferniestoke Teichrob Nicholas Photo: 3 Fernie Treasures and family fun. The Kootenay Hootenanay Curiosities on Friday 15th is a street fair featuring Fernie Museum string-bending, foot stomping tunes Sept 14, 2017–March 31, 2018 from Craig Moritz and a food truck alley. CANADA 150 in Fernie Saturday 16th begins with a pancake March 3, 2017 – March 31, 2018 and stories related to their work on breakfast and continues with cultural the Connections App. Programming demonstrations including Ktunaxa What does community mean? For over includes a curator’s talk, workshops, Nation Youth Dancers, open doors 120 years, Fernie has been home to and readings. at 10 heritage buildings, an antique settlers who arrived from around the car show, culture crawl, art on the globe. Through tragedy, perseverance, lawn, children’s tent, and live music and prosperity, Fernie has grown into throughout the day. the home and destination that we know and love today. Sunday 17th features an interdenominational church service In celebration of Canada’s 150th at Fernie’s heritage Christ Church, a anniversary of confederation, Fernie’s truly scrumptious afternoon tea, and cultural organizations have come From a collection of almost 10,000 a harvest Italian spaghetti dinner with together to discover who we are—as a Cultural History artifacts, local special guest Bohdan S Kordan who will community, a culture, and as a small CanadA Day 150 FestivAl residents will select 150 objects that share stories about the internment of city with a rich history—and how these Fernie Aquatic Centre Grounds reflect stories of the history, society, ‘enemy aliens’ during the Great War values fit into our country’s shared July 1, 2017, from noon and personal lives of the individuals who from his book No Free Man. history and culture in a year-long chose to live here. Through stories of multimedia and multi-disciplinary arts Join a sea of red rolling towards the the objects’ provenance, useful life and and heritage initiative. Aquatic Centre for Canada Day relevance, the exhibition will serve as a cake with the mayor, followed by an cultural looking glass into how society Celebrations began this spring with afternoon of games, live entertainment, functions and how our essential—and Kyle Hamilton’s monochromatic the first Mountain Market of the non-essential—needs change over time. portrait photography exhibition I Am summer and a spectacular firework Fernie; panel discussions; a display display after dark. Treasures from Fernie of 1400 red, white, and variegated Attics tulips and striking red and white art Fernie Community Centre installation; and Connections: The October 7th, then online ThE FAll Fair Canadian Youth Identity Project. from November Prentice Park September 17, 10am–3pm Events continue this summer In the style of the Canadian Antiques & fall with: Road Show, local residents are invited Celebrating the traditions and to bring their treasures to be evaluated. bounty of living in the mountains Fernie Artography Stories of the objects and their owners with horticultural displays, blue Fernie Museum | June 15–Sept 4 2017 will be recorded for a web series to ribbon contests, craft exhibits, art & Exploring our collective sense of be presented on the Fernie Museum agricultural demonstrations and a small place and identity through visual art website and Connections App. backyard livestock zoo. and storytelling. Featuring the work 2Nd Annual Fernie of Canadian artists A.Y. Jackson and Chautauqua David Paton, local contemporary visual Fernie Museum | Sept 14–17, 2017 artists such as Laura Nelson, Patrick Markle, and Melanie MacVoy, and video Beginning with the Booked! Fernie artist Gwen McGregor. The artists will Writers’ Event on Thursday 14th (See each share their personal connection P30 for details) Chautauqua continues throughout the weekend with a cultural cornucopia of entertainment, food, and 4 5 SUMMER Event Calendar For full details visit tourismfernie.com/events. JUNE 4 Live Music: Mr B-Syde 23 Live Music: Luke Wallace, Infinitea 5 Griz Kids Howl at the Moon Campout, Fernie 23 Nightlife: DJ Nemkae, The Royal Alpine Resort 24 Summer Opening Day—Hike, Bike, Aerial 7–11 Beat the Heat Pottery Workshops, The Arts Park, Fernie Alpine Resort Station 24 Nightlife: DJ Naturalist, The Royal 8–9 Garden Chefs for Kids, Eco-Garden 24 Singing Therapy Workshop, Castle on First 9 Live Music: Tiger Moon, Station Square 27 Live Music: Sianspheric, Kodiak Lounge 10 Beers & Queers Social, The Valley Social 29 Gallery Opening: Beulah Limber - Life's Work, 11–12 Wapiti Music Festival, Annex Park The Arts Station 12–13 Columbia Basin Culture/Art Tour, Downtown 30 Nightlife: DJ Emerald, The Royal 13 Downtown Summer Social: Show n' Shine, 2nd Avenue JULY 13 Bibbity Bobbity Boo Children's Festival, 1 Canada 150 Festival, Fernie Aquatic Centre Rotary Park 1 Cardboard Boat Race, Maiden Lake 14–18 Beat the Heat Pottery Workshops, The Arts Station 2 Downtown Summer Social, 2nd Avenue Live Music: Martin Harley, Station Square 2 Trails in Motion Film Festival, The Arts Station 16 Live Music: Arcadian Suns, Infinitea 2 Live Music: Piper Hays, Infinitea 18 Saving Your Own Seeds Garden Workshop, 5 Live Music: Los Morenos, Station Square 19 Eco-Garden 6 Beautea Night, Infinitea 23 Live Music: Cecile Doo-Kingue, Station 9 Out of the Box: Dumpster Painting Event, Square Station Square 30 Live Music: TBA, Station Square 9 Live Music: Red Haven, Infinitea 31 Gallery Opening: Becco Musso Fibre Arts, 12 Live Music: Ellika Solo Rafael, Station Square The Arts Station 13 Beers & Queers Social, The Valley Social 14 Live Music: Lisa Anderson, Infinitea SEPTEMBER 15 Griz Kidz Summer Carnival & Howl at the 3 Lions Demolition Derby, Railway Ave Moon Campout, Fernie Alpine Resort 7 Beautea Night, Infinitea 16 Downtown Summer Social, 2nd Avenue 14–17 Fernie Chautauqua Festival, 2nd Avenue 18–19 Bug-o-logy for Kids, Eco-Garden 14 Booked! Fernie Writers' Series: Angie Abdou, 19 Live Music: Easy Ruckus, Station Square Heritage Library 26 Live Music: Ben Rogers + The Bloodred 14 Fernie Treasures and Curiosities, Museum Yonder, Station Square 14 Beers & Queers Social, The Valley Social 27 Gallery Opening: Colleen Routley, The Arts Station 17 Fall Fair, Prentice Park Elk River Shore Clean-up, Annex Park/Elk 28–30 Introduction to Meditation, Essential Yoga 24 River 30 Downtown Summer Social, 2nd Avenue 24 Live Music: Brett Wildeman 30 Live Music: Emily Rockarts, Infinitea 28 Gallery Opening: Mark Locki Photography - Exploring the Elk, The Arts Station AUGUST 30 Making Good Compost Workshop, Eco- 2 Live Music: Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, Garden Station Square 29–Oct 1 GillBilly Festival, 2nd Avenue/Downtown 3 Live Music: West Hammock For scheduled guided hikes, walks, and bus tours please see p15 EVERY WEEK! Mondays Club Cre8 at the Arts Station (July/Aug) Thursdays Jam Night at the Brickhouse, 10pm Open