2018
MICHAEL FRANTI, COLIN JAMES, THE FAMILY STONE, HARRY MANX, THE LIL SMOKIES, THE BOOM BOOMS,
PHARIS & JASON ROMERO, REV. SEKOU, MARTIN SIMPSON, RICK VITO, JIMMIE DALE GILMORE AND BILL KIRCHEN, LIL’ JIMMY REED AND BOB HALL TRIO, MONKEYJUNK,
MBIRA RENAISSANCE BAND, OKTOPUS, SON DE MADERA, THE PAPERBOYS, KYM GOUCHIE & NORTHERN SKY, RUSSELL DE CARLE W/ STEVE BRIGGS,
HANNAH SANDERS & BEN SAVAGE, SARAH JANE SCOUTEN, BIG DAVE MCLEAN, CINDY CHURCH, GEOFF BERNER, GREG BLAKE, HANK LEONHARDT & THE BLUE HEARTS TRIO, HARPDOG BROWN, LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND, PAUL DESLAURIERS BAND, ST E V E DAWS O N , T H E H O U S E BA N D, DA N I E L LA P P, SA LTWAT E R H A N K , CHRIS RONALD TRIO, THE OOT N’ OOTS, RAY LEMELIN AND HOWARD CHAPMAN
ROOTSANDBLUES.CA WHERE MUSICIANS GO TO PLAY
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Vue Week l y 's
10th annual
Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 table of contents Bahamas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sierra Bilton St. Paul & the Broken Bones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Stephan Boissonneault Cumberland Wild Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 DAVE O RAMA Reign Bough Fiddle Music & Arts Festival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Dave O Rama Northern Festival Roundup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Julie Fowler June Festival Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 - 25
Publisher and Editor Emeritus LV Nash President Robert W. Doull rwdoull@vueweekly.com Publisher / Sales Manager Joanne Layh joanne@vueweekly.com Editorial Stephan Boissonneault stephan@vueweekly.com
July Festival Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 - 37 MAP by RIKA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 - 33
Sierra Bilton sierra@vueweekly.com
August Festival Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 - 46 September – October Festival Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 - 52 Music Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 - 58 Doug Johnson, Stephan Boissonneault, Jeff MacCallum, Alexander Sorochan Alphabetical Index of Festival Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 - 63
Doug Johnson doug@vueweekly.com Production Manager Charlie Biddiscombe charlie@vueweekly.com Production Curtis Hauser curtish@vueweekly.com Account Manager James Jarvis james@vueweekly.com
#200, 11230 - 119 s treet , edmont on, ab , t5g 2x3 t: 780.426.1996 F: 780.426.2889
This guide is published by © 2018 Postvue Publishing
ONLINE
c ont a ct
Contributors Alexander Sorochan, Julie Fowler, Dave O Rama, Jeff MacCallum
Relentless Fan Paul Crawford paul@bcmusicianmag.com
VUE WEEKLY.com /VUEWEEKLY @VUEWEEKLY
Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 Cover Artist Charlie Biddiscombe
@VUEWEEKLY
All Rights Reserved, Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.
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Raw tones and funk feels Afie Jurvanen talks his new blow-up album Earthtones
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our albums in, you still can’t peg a Bahamas record, and we like it that way. He’s played with such musicians as Feist, The Lumineers, Howie Beck, Jason Collett, Michael Kiwanuka, Jack Johnson, City and Colour, and The Weather Station. His first album (2009) under the name Bahamas, Pink Strat, was awarded a 2010 Juno Award, and his second, Barchords (2012), won two 2015 Junos, including Songwriter of the Year. With his newest, Earthtones, Afie Jurvanen is hitting the place we’ve all known he was undoubtedly capable of. So what changed? Well, not a whole lot to be honest. He’s got a fresh new sound and sports some Kanye-inspired earth-toned threads, but really, he’s the same genre-breaking magician he’s always been. With his past sounds of subtle funk (ie. “All the Time” and “Caught me Thinkin’”) coming into full swing on the 2018 album, Jurvanen embraces a sound that melds with his clean guitar riffs and female backup vocals in a heavenly roundup of 11 tracks. Slick and crisp, the album’s got no reverb or effects, which makes it jump out like you’re chilling in the studio with Afie and his band, rather than sitting on transit with some earbuds in.
Earthtones is a sober look through various areas of his life that deserved some real honesty. The tracks crack open feelings of depression, years of thankless opening-act gigs, and of course, his (seemingly patient) wife Naomi—his inspiration for the springy “Come on Naomi”— and his two young daughters. “With a song like “No Depression” I just wanted to speak to it, maybe with some levity and some humour and just be able to address something that’s pretty serious to me, and I think to a lot of people,” Juvanen says. “It seems like a lot of creative people kinda struggle with pretty high highs, and low lows.” Beyond using music as a cathartic tool, spending time in nature is another common respite for Jurvanen. Growing up spending summers in Finland with family and the rest of the time in his hometown of Barrie, Ontario, he would spend most of his time fishing, hiking, hunting, and biking. “Nature’s kind of like music, it doesn’t ask you for anything, it just sort of gives … We spend so much time sort of managing ourselves to be these presentable versions all the time, and the more we can just let it hang out there, I think the better for everyone,” he says. “If people can hear that song [“No Depression”] and just accept me for who I am, it probably allows them to accept themselves better too.”
To kick things up a notch, Jurvanen reached out to bassist Pino Palladino and drummer James Gadson, both well-known for their spots on soulmaster D’Angelo’s band, but also for their incredible music talents. Collectively, they’ve played with seriously diverging greats like Nine Inch Nails, Keith Urban, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, and The Who. Before he knew it Jurvanen was in session in Los Angeles, working away on his base tracks with them. “They’re just musicians who are free of any reference points; they’re not worried about genre or style or scene,” Jurvanen says. “I didn’t really give them any direction or anything. I just started playing my songs and allowed them to follow their musical instincts, and they obviously led to some pretty incredible places.” Bahamas’ band: guitarist Christine Bougie, bassist Darcy Yates, drummer Jason Tait, and backup vocalist Felicity Williams then fleshed out what came from Jurvanen’s three days of sessions in L.A. with Palladino and Gadson in Prague. “It’s really a testament to their [the band’s] musicianship, the level of their playing as well, because the whole album feels cohesive to me—you can’t tell who played on what—it all just fit in so beautifully,” he says.
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Story: Sierra Bilton sierra@vueweekly.com Photo: Bahamas • Hilary Walsh
8 1 0 2 Y A W A L A C K R A P Y L I FAM . . . N FUHOW
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NEW FOR 2018! NT TICKETS U O C IS D , N IO T A M R O F ENT IN FOR SPECIAL EV NS, VISIT IO T A V R E S E R D N U O R AND CAMPG
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Story: Stephan Boissonneault stephan@vueweekly.com Photo: Stephan Boissonneault
From preacher to soul teacher Paul Janeway of St. Paul & the Broken Bones chats before owning the festival circuit
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s you watch frontman Paul Janeway of St. Paul & the Broken Bones on stage, it’s hard to imagine that he ever wanted to be anything other than a frontman singer in a soul band. He’s got the voice, the moves, and the stage presence, which all seem to come naturally, as he commands a music festival crowds. He keeps dance in mind and the soul grooving. Janeway grew up in rural Chelsea, Alabama—a town that at the time had a population of 800 people. “It was pretty out in the woods and you were kinda isolated from the world,” Janeway says “So, church was the epicentre as a social place of gathering. It’s where I learned to sing.” As a kid living with his mother, he was only allowed to listen to gospel and the odd tune from soul juggernauts like Sam Cooke, Al Green and Otis Redding. Still, the church surrounded and took precedence in Janeway’s life. So much so that as his teenage years he planned to be a preacher. “Never in a thousand years did I think I’d be talkin’ to you in Edmonton,” laughs Janeway. “We had, like, the church where
what’s going on in America,” Janeway says. “I don’t think that everyone who voted for Trump was racist, but I think that everyone that was racist voted for Trump. You try to hate the sin and love the sinner like that old church adage, but it’s difficult. There are no answers left on the record, but just a lot of questions and protest.” Those questions and protest are very relevant today. Especially when last summer Charlottesville, Virginia was hosted one of the largest white supremacist rallies in a very long time. “When I saw that I was like, ‘Fucking white supremacists? Really?’ It’s sad for me because Alabama has a huge history with race. It’s like we’re repeating history.” Sea of Noise was almost a cathartic release for Janeway and you can tell when watching him on stage. This is a man who puts his soul and heart into every note while he and the Broken Bones dazzle the audience with every trick in their repertoire. “Man, I saw Prince one time and all he had to do was stare at the audience,” Janeway says. “If I can get to that point, that’s a special thing.”
you speak in tongues and heal people. When I look back it’s kinda crazy.” As a young man, Janeway fell out of love with the church and its beliefs. The big one for him was its issue with homosexuality. “I didn’t understand it,” Janeway says. “I think the essence of Christianity and Jesus and stuff like that is not a bad way to live your life if you follow the love part, but everybody else got involved and fucked it up.” After that realization, Janeway started singing open mics and eventually met bassist Jesse Phillips. The two immediately hit it off and together with a few other last minute musicians they recorded the EP Greetings from St. Paul and the Broken Bones, which sky rocketed the band to major success, and the release of its debut LP release Half the City in 2014 and Sea of Noise in 2016. Much like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, Sea of Noise is a direct response to political and racial unrest and its effect on a person’s mind. “It’s inspired by the anger I felt about
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Welcome to cumberland wild
Story: Dave O Rama Photo: Supplied
Cumberland Wild Festival takes over for The Atmosphere Gathering
August 18 – 19 Cumberland Wild Festival, Cumberland Village Park Tickets and full lineup at cumberlandwild.com
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umberland, British Columbia might be a small town on the Western edge of Canada, but over the years, it has garnered a reputation for presenting big musical talent. This has been due primarily to the work of local production group Cumberland Village Works (CVW) under the guidance of Artistic Director Vig Schulman who has been booking talent at The Waverly, Cumberland’s infamous performance space, for the better part of two decades. Over the years, Schulman and his crew have been bringing world-class talent to this former Vancouver Island coal mining town, presenting a diversity of artists that range from award-winning Canadian throat singer Tanya Tagaq, Nigerian Afrobeat heir Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Jamaican pioneers The Skatalites, to an ongoing flow of popular electronic musicians and DJs working the global circuit. In 2004 Cumberland Village Works produced their first annual music festival called Big Time Out, which they originally intended as a more rural event. Instead the festival found it’s home right in the centre of the town at the Cumberland
having multiple performances going on simultaneously made it difficult for patrons to catch all the acts on the bill. With Cumberland Wild, the plan is to have alternating stages at either end of the site which will allow audience members the opportunity to take in all the acts on the bill if they choose to. “With the Atmosphere Gathering we found that the festival was attracting a dedicated audience from outside of the area, and the community was fine with that,” Schulman explains. “With Cumberland Wild we wanted to tweak the event in a way that would also make it more appealing to local audiences, and from what we have witnessed with early ticket sales, the citizens of Cumberland are really embracing the new concept.” For Cumberland Wild, Schulman and Howells have put together an impressive lineup predominantly comprising of stellar western Canadian talent, from blues rockers like Jesse Roper, awardwinning Toronto trio Elliot Brood, Vancouver indie bands like Bend Sinister and The Pack A.D., electro-roots pilots Moontricks and Calgary-based producer Defunk, to the monster rhythm juggernaut Five Alarm Funk. In addition to showcasing a stunning selection of Canadian musicians CVW will be hitting the nostalgia button by bringing veteran U.K. breakbeat posse The Freestylers to the party. To keep the dancing going into the late hours without disturbing the peace, Cumberland Wild will expand on their practice of holding after hours “silent discos” by utilizing a crew of seasoned DJs pumping out the positive vibes over multi-channel wireless headsets. Originally developed as a late night bacchanal in the big top during The Atmosphere Gathering, CVW’s silent dance events have always been a popular part of the experience. At first glance Cumberland Wild is shaping up to look like a world class live music event nestled in a supernatural setting in the lowlands below Vancouver Island’s Comox Glacier, within short distance of rivers, lakes, and ocean, featuring forest camping and quick access to the beautiful Comox Valley.
Event Producers Vig Schulman and Benjamin Howells
Village Park. Voracious music lovers, the folks at CVW produced Big Time Out for almost a decade filling their festival roster with a broad spectrum of musical performers that has included everything from electronic dance acts to traditional roots music. In 2014 Schulman joined forces with Vancouver Island DJ Benjamin Howells (Mt. Eliah), from the BC collective The Naked DJs, and unveiled their new annual event, The Atmosphere Gathering. Running from 2014 to 2017 The Atmosphere Gathering continued to showcase an impressive roster of cutting edge talent with the new addition of a second dance hall-like stage created inside of a massive Italian circus tent that CVW purchased and imported from Liverpool. Now, for the summer of 2018 Cumberland Village Works is changing things up once again this August 18 and 19 with their new festival event, Cumberland Wild. While The Atmosphere Gathering was modeled as a multi-stage affair, Schulman and Howells found that
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June 29 – July 2 Reign Bough Fiddle Music & Arts Festival Metis Crossing, Smoky Lake tickets at reignboughfiddle.com
Story: Dave O Rama Photo: Supplied
LEt YOUR FREAK FLAG FLY AND DANCE Reign Bough Fiddle Music & Arts Festival prides itself on inclusivity and stellar lineup
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he producers of Reign Bough Fiddle Music & Arts Festival pride themselves on creating a positive inclusive event where everyone is welcome to fly their own personal freak flag. The festival is held at the beautiful historic Metis site near the town of Smoky Lake, a 75 minute drive east of Edmonton, located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The site provides a gorgeous and intimate setting, boasting roomy camp sites, hot showers, RV hookups, and free potable water. “We set out to create an inclusive, inspiring, non-profit platform for local artists. One that was family-friendly and included daytime adventure games to promote positive social interactions,” says Reign Bough Fiddle’s (RBF) executive director, Dustin LaBoucan. “The original spark was the Indigenous idea that we are all related; and how to bring that feeling of community to life at a festival.” With a prime focus on the ecstatic dance experience, RBF has assembled a plump lineup of sonic technicians focusing on a broad cross section of groove based
to add even more spice to the proceedings. This year’s adventure questing theme is “Space Cats vs Flying Saucers.” “We call our event ‘a spirited outdoor musical adventure’ and the daytime events and adventure games really contribute to making our event unique along with a huge variety of fun, funky, uplifting music that is not found at a lot of similar events,” LaBoucan explains. In addition to their theme of inclusiveness, RBF will impress the environmentally conscious with its packin-pack-out leave no-trace approach to waste management. While pet owners who usually have to pass on attending such events will be excited to know that they can apply for some of the limited amount of pet passes available. There will be loads of exciting vendors on site as well as full emergency services to ensure nourishment and safety. Children 12 and under accompanied by a parent or legal guardian get in free. Tickets available to the public will be limited to 600 and can be purchased online, with hard tickets available at Foosh in Edmonton and Grass Roots in Calgary.
musical subgenres such as psytrance, electro swing, reggae, breaks, hip hop, house, drum and bass, and dub. Dancers will be thrilled with a roster loaded with western Canadian beat practitioners such as Psy-you-ki, Gecko, Liminal, EMOG, Mutant Machine, Bass Panda, Huckmode, Mindfunkers, and dozens more. Boasting four distinct stages— The Desert Rose, The Tower, The Waystation, and their new beach stage The Tesla— RBF will also be presenting numerous workshops delving into yoga, soccer, art, wilderness skills, the healing arts, nutrition, and much more. “We have approximately 400 people involved in the production of the event, as performers, volunteers, workshop leaders, and artists, focusing on a mandate of inclusiveness for this intimate alcohol free event,” LaBoucan says. Audience members are encouraged to delve deeply into costuming and cosplay, and theme camps are welcome as long as they honour the festival’s guidelines found on their website. Each year RBF comes up with a unique “adventure questing” theme
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PRESENTS THE 23rd Annual
WHYTE AVENUE ARTWALK JULY 6 – 8 10AM – 5PM Imagine a 4 km walk through the hearts and minds of artists. Cultural explorers are invited to see art making in action on the streets of Old Strathcona, a vibrant art district in the historic centre of Edmonton, Alberta. Over 450 visual artists bring their art supplies and artworks out into the streets. Together they create an outdoor studio and gallery spanning several blocks. The Whyte Avenue Art Walk reveals Alberta’s hidden talent and provides an opportunity for patrons to curate their own art collection from many undiscovered masters. Where: The event is a grand promenade along Whyte Avenue (82 Ave) from 101 Street to 108 Street. It's a long tour, so bring your walking shoes!
www.art-walk.ca
Edmonton AB
Old Strathcona is a truly engaging and charming neighbourhood set it Edmonton’s thriving south side. It is a place where artisans of all kinds connect and celebrate experiences that make the area unique. www.oldstrathcona.ca
JUNE 29 TO JULY 8, 2018 10 am to 10 pm www.sandonwhyte.ca
Visit Edmonton’s “Intentional Beach” at Boardwalk Sand on Whyte. Be amazed by the sand sculptures created by Canadian sand carving artists that tells our river city story! Sand carving is a performance art, much like ice carving. Professional sand carving artists, Peter Vogelaar and Guy-Olivier Deveau will transform local quarry sand into sand carving masterpieces for you to enjoy. Admission is by Donation. VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 13
Arts on the Fly (July 13–14) Bella Coola Music Festival (July21–22) Hootstock Festival (July 27–29)
Aerial view of the 2017 Arts Wells Festival
cariboo festival Region roundup Cariboo region festivals return after having to cancel from last year’s wildfires
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ummer feels far away with all the snow still on the ground in Wells, but energy is building as we all gear up for another festival season. For many of us in the British Columbia interior, we are still reeling from last summer, which saw the cancellation and near cancellation of many festivals due to the wildfires. ArtsWells did go ahead, but many of our neighbouring festivals in the Cariboo region did not. We’ve all learned a lot and are taking all the precautions we can, but we must go on and find ways to celebrate together, building stronger communities through music and art. There are three Cariboo festivals that I would especially like to mention, all of which had to cancel last year because of wildfires, but are back this summer with lots of excitement. Arts on the Fly in Horsefly (July 13–14), Bella Coola Music Festival, (July 21–22) and Hootstock in Forest Grove, just outside 100 Mile House (July 27–29). Arts on the Fly is nestled in the picturesque community of Horsefly, an hour long drive south east of Williams Lake. “Last summer was definitely a disappointment for Arts on the Fly organizers, but less than a year later we’re in great shape again,” explains artistic director, Brandon Hoffman. “We were itching to bring the party to the Cariboo, so a few weeks after cancelling
our summer festival we started drafting a makeshift wintertime “consolation” festival. The first ever Dark Times Festival came together beautifully. We felt redeemed. Now we’re steamrolling ahead with Arts on the Fly’s summer festival.” The festival boasts three stages, 40 performing acts and a vendor market; all right on the edge of the Horsefly River. Caitlin Thompson the artistic director and executive director for the Bella Coola Music Festival in the breathtaking coastal valley community eight hours west of Williams Lake (or a beautiful ferry ride from Vancouver Island) says of her festival this summer: “We are planning a diverse lineup that includes everyone from BC/DC to DJ Shub, and a special performance from a very special guest—Indigenous Australian Archie Roach. After last season’s cancellation due to the fires, we are really looking forward to a fun year.” Hootstock Festival is a truly independent, crowd funded, non-corporate festival hosted by Astrid and Steve Hensey and their son. “We are big fans of arts and music and just love to be able to bring an event like this into our own community,” Astrid says. The Hootstock Festival is located in a beautiful forest setting just outside Forest Grove (which is just 20 minutes northeast of 100 Mile House) on the site of an old schoolhouse that has been turned into a community hall. “It has a very cool vibe, and a well-picked,
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Story: Julie Fowler Executive director and artistic director of Arts Wells Festival Of All Things Art Photo: Nelson Mouëllic
varied line-up and art and merchandise inside the schoolhouse. There are food vendors on site as well as camping. It’s a really welcoming vibe for everyone in the family. We are especially excited this year because we unfortunately had to cancel last year because of the wildfire situation,” she says. In addition to these Cariboo gems, I hope you will also join us in Wells & Barkerville (one hour east of Quesnel), Aug 3–6 for the 15th Annual ArtsWells Festival, where you can expect artistic experiences abounding on every street corner with 12 performance venues, visual art installations, roving performers, parades, artisans and lots of workshops. We are excited that through a grant from the BC government, ArtsWells will be inviting seven international festival artistic directors to experience B.C. musical talent. Expect to see folks from New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, Europe and the US in attendance. You will also see the usual wide variety of musical talent from Jenny Whiteley and C.R. Avery to legendary children’s performer Al Simmons. There are also some amazing pre-festival workshops you can check out. See you in the Cariboo.
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MAY DOXA Documentary Film Festival
Manito Ahbee Festival
May 3 - 15
May 16 - 20
Various, Vancouver, BC doxafestival.ca Presented by the Documentary Media Society, DOXA holds screenings, panel discussions, public forums and educational programs. This is a curated and juried festival.
East Coulee Springfest May 4 & 5
Drumheller, AB ecsmuseum.ca/springfest This music festival features an eclectic mix of genres: rock, blues, jazz, alternative and more. Get ready for a weekend of dancing and grooving amid the hoodoos in a other-worldy setting in the Badlands.
UNO Fest May 9 - 19
Victoria, BC, Intrepid Theatre intrepidtheatre.com UNO Fest features contemporary, solo theatre and performance.
Beer at the Lake - Great Okanagan Beer Festival May 10 - 12
Various, Kelowna, BC .gibbonsevents.com/great-okanaganbeer-festival The Great Okanagan Beer festival is a three-day event offering beer and cider tastings, food trucks, bands and more. The main event is May 12th at Waterfront Park.
La Conner Guitar Festival May 11 - 13
La Conner, WA laconnerguitarfestival.com Meet luthiers, listen, play, and shop at the La Conner Guitar Festival. The festival also features concerts, workshops and more.
Ignite Youth-Driven Arts Festival May 15 - 19
The Historic Theatre, The Cultch, Vancouver, BC igniteyouthfest.com Ignite! is created by youth and includes music, dance, spoken word, one-act plays, a visual arts exhibit, variety shows featuring improv, drag, circus arts, and much more.
duce, crafts and goodies. The Market is open 9:30 to 3 pm; live music from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Fun for the whole family.
Winnipeg, MB manitoahbee.ca Celebrating Indigenous arts, culture and music.
Kaslo May Days May 19 - 21
Kaslo, BC kaslomaydays.com The weekend will be full of entertainment for the whole family. Be sure to stop by Vimy Park Gazebo to catch the variety of acts that will take the stage throughout the weekend.
Attack of Danger Bay-Longboard Race May 17 - 23
Pender Harbour, BC coastlongboarding.com/dangerbay.cfm Cash podiums, slide competition, live bands, camping, and a longboard hockey tournamant. No onsite parking for events; use shuttle provided.
Seafest-Cortes May 19
Cortes Island, BC ourcortes.com/activities/festivals/ Held during the May long weekend, Seafest features live music, local crafts, a barbeque, raw oysters, steamed mussels and clams, and more.
Pretty Good Not Bad May 17 - 20
Victoria, BC pgnb.ca Music, arts and multi media event. Bolstered by members of CFUV and local event promoters Urban Therapy, this nonprofit is dedicated to supporting Victoria’s vibrant creative community.
Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival May 19 - 21
Barkerville Historic Town
Topaz Park, Victoria, BC victoriahighlandgames.com The Annual Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival features Highland and Irish dancing, solo piping, drumming, athletics, demos, workshops and educational activities.
May 18 - 30
Barkerville Historic Town, BC barkerville.ca Barkerville opens its seasonal interpretation schedule with street performances, mining demonstrations, court sessions, old-fashioned shopping and more. Enjoy the full Barkerville experience during the day, catch a restaurant before it closes for the night, or have a quiet evening picnic, and stroll through the town and park after hours.
Cathedral Village Arts Festival May 21 - 26
Various, Regina, SK cathedralartsfestival.ca The week-long festival features performing, visual and literary arts, crafts and performances. It offers professional artists the opportunity to present their work to new audiences; emerging artists a venue to introduce themselves; and avant-garde artists a supportive arena to share their talents.
Otafest May 18 - 20
Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB otafest.com Otafest is a festival for anime lovers. Featuring cosplay, video gaming, live music, audience participation events, food, and much more.
Calgary International Children’s Cottonwood Community Market Stage Festival May 23 - 26
May 19 - 13
Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza, Calgary, AB calgarykidsfest.ca Calgary’s biggest playdate features a
Cottonwood Falls Park, Nelson, BC ecosociety.ca/markets/cottonwood-market Every Saturday at Cottonwood Falls Park there will be live music, local food, pro-
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performing arts experience for young audiences. Stage performances, interactive activities and theatre.
Lightning in a Bottle May 23 - 28
San Antonio Recreation Area, Bradley, CA lightninginabottle.org Lightning in a Bottle celebrates art, music, performance, sustainability, and life. Featuring workshops, speakers, yoga, art, a marketplace, a family zone, and more.
Surrey International Children’s Festival May 24 - 26
Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park, Surrey, BC surrey.ca/childrensfestival The annual Surrey Children’s Festival inspires young hearts and minds and celebrates our diverse cultural heritage through performances and interactive art experiences.
Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts May 25 - 28
Port Angeles, WA jffa.org An annual four-day festival featuring music, and dance performances, a juried art show, a street fair, workshops, kids’ activities and more.
An annual festival of world, folk, and traditional art, crafts, and music that takes place over the Memorial Day weekend in Seattle. Celebrating the diversity of the Pacific Northwest, the fesival hosts more than 5,000 performers. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged
Lund Shellfish Festival
Opera Nuova Opera & Music Theatre Festival
May 25 and 26
May 25 - June 30
Lund, BC www.lundbc.ca Eat fresh-cooked seafood, enjoy local musicians, take a tour, watch free cooking demonstrations, buy some live shellfish, shop at the booths, enter a contest, or sample special menu items at the restaurants. There are activities for everyone.
Northwest Folklife Festival May 25 - 28
Seattle Center, Seattle, WA nwfolklife.org/festival
Edmonton, AB operanuova.ca/vaf NUOVA is an annual classical music festival that celebrates artists from Canada such as singers, pianists, etc. These artists come together to perform and develop their talents.
Sasquatch! May 25 - 27
The Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA sasquatchfestival.com The annual festival at The Gorge with
Music to your feet. Treat your feet to pull-on, kick-off Blundstone comfort. It’s been humming along since 1870.
Formerly the Devonian Botanic Garden
Something beautiful is growing here. Opens for the season on June 29.
#585 Leather Lined Rustic Brown $219.95
BLUNDSTONE.CA
Come experience 240 acres of tranquil beauty in our cultivated gardens, indoor showhouses, and the new Aga Khan Garden. Just 15 minutes SW of Edmonton.
botanicgarden.ualberta.ca Located in Parkland County, 5 km north of Devon on Hwy 60
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MAY free cultural event that promotes healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.
an emphasis on indie rock bands and singer-songwriters (also alternative rock, hip hop and comedy acts).
May 29 - June 2
Victoria, BC bcprovincials.com This five-day Performing Arts BC festival features performances, master classes, lectures, coaching, workshops, technique classes and adjudications. Participants are young artists from regional festivals.
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
European Festival May 26 - 27
Performing Arts BC Regional Festival
Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, BC europeanfestival.ca Hosted by the EuroFest BC Society, the European festival is full of cultural, and culinary delights and entertainment including traditional dancing.
May 28 - June 3
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC childrensfestival.ca This kids’ festival on Granville Island caters to the toddler to teen groups and features shows, activities, evening performances, and more.
Nextfest May 31 - June 10
The Roxy-on-Gateway, Bonnie Doon Centre, Campus St-Jean, Edmonton, AB nextfest.ca Edmonton’s springtime multi-disciplinary arts festival dedicated to providing professional development opportunities and exposure to emerging artists. Events take place at multiple venues over 10 days.
Seabird Island First Nations Festival International Children’s Festival of May 27 - 28 the Arts Agassiz, BC seabirdisland.ca/index.php/community/ first-nations-festival This festival offers youth and adults alike an opportunity to showcase their culture and history through soccer and war canoe races and Sla:hal. The Seabird Island First Nations Festival is a drug-
May 29 - June 3
St. Albert Place Promenade, St. Albert, AB stalbert.ca/exp/childfest/ Explore the sights and sounds of this top-notch, annual kids’ arts and culture extravaganza along the picturesque banks of the Sturgeon River in downtown St. Albert.
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18 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 19
June Brentwood Bay Festival Jun 1 & 2
Brentwood Bay, BC brentwoodbay.info It’s a place to spend the whole day—it’ll take you that long to see and do everything at the festival. There are food vendors, market vendors, kids entertainment, fantastic live music and comedy acts, games, face painting, and more.
Castlegar Sunfest Jun 1 - 3
Castlegar, BC castlegarculture.com/culture-guide/ castlegar-sunfest Events happen around town and can be fun for the whole family.
Jaywalker’s Jamboree Jun 1 - 3
Camrose, AB camrosechamber.chambermaster.coevents/details/jaywalkers-jamboree-1341 The Jaywalker’s Jamboree is Alberta’s oldest outdoor fair. During the two-day event, Camrose’s main street closes to traffic and is transformed into an outdoor festival and carnival, featuring local food vendors, rides and a sidewalk sale put on by local businesses. The Jaywalker’s Jamboree features dozens of entertainers, from local dance clubs, bands, and singers.
festival is set at unique venues around the beautiful and scenic Pender Harbour, making this a boater-friendly event, easily accessible by water.
Heart of the City Festival Edmonton Jun 2 & 3
Giovanni Caboto Park, Edmonton, AB heartcityfest.com Music, arts, and spoken word transform Edmonton’s core of the city during this family-friendly festival. In its 15th year, the theme “sharing knowledge and growth” is at the heart of Heart of the City.
Summerland Action Festival Jun 1 - 3
Memorial Park, Summerland, BC summerlandactionfestival.com Annual festival features a slo-pitch tournament, outdoor entertainment, fireworks, Man of Steel triathlon, parade, Giants Head run, and more.
Nutrien Children’s Festival Jun 2 - 5
Saskatoon, SK nutrienchildrensfestival.com Located in Saskatoon, it is the only international multi-disciplinary arts festival dedicated to children in Saskatchewan.
Vibrant Music Festival Jun 1 - 3
Just outside Invermere, Columbia Valley, BC facebook.comevents/2030764093802653 A memorable audio/visual experience under the northern lights in the luscious Columbia Valley.
Bard on the Beach Jun 6 - Sep 22
Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC bardonthebeach.org Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest nonprofit, professional Shakespeare festivals. Presented in a magnificent setting on the waterfront in Vancouver’s Vanier Park, the festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two performance tents from June through September.
Aboriginal Gathering and Peace River Pow Wow Jun 2 & 3
Peace River Agricultural Grounds, BC travelalberta.com/ca/events/peace-river-pow-wow-aboriginal-gathering-3649 Free admission, jigging, fiddling, Aboriginal crafts, children’s activities, dancers, hand drum groups, and hand games.
Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship Jun 7 - 10
Pender Harbour Blues Festival Jun 1 - 3
Pender Harbour, BC penderharbourbluesfestival.com The Pender Harbour Blues Festival will be presenting some of the best blues musicians the West Coast has to offer. The
Chetwynd, BC Featuring chainsaw artists from around the world, the weekend draws thousands of people for food, fun, and music while watching the chainsaw artists vie for top prizes.
Bandfest Jun 2 & 3
Ladner Rotary Park, Ladner, BC ladnerbandfest.org Enjoy concert music from 19 different bands—from concert marches to big band tunes, folk music, ballads, band interpretations, and vocal selections.
Music Waste Festival Jun 7 - 10
Vancouver, BC musicwaste.ca Annual music, comedy and arts festival, featuring hundreds of acts in venues spread across the city.
Elevate Arts Festival Jun 2 & 3
Courtenay, BC elevatethearts.com A multi-disciplinary participatory arts festival, dedicated to using arts and culture as a vehicle to explore, examine and re-imagine community. Featuring loads of music, extreme crafts, dance, circus arts, fire performance, slam poetry, lit, photography, puppets, projections, and more.
20 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival Jun 8 - 10
Haines Junction, YK yukonbluegrass.com Presenting the best bluegrass bands in North America in one of the most spectacular settings in the world.
Lumby Days Jun 8 - 10
Whitevalley Community Centre, Lumby, BC lumbydays.ca Lumberjack show, sporting events, live music, art show and market, vendors, kids zone and more.
Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Jun 8 - 10
Pagosa Springs, CO folkwest.com Family-friendly music festival with on-site camping, workshops, late night stage, vending, and epic pickin’ circles.
Seafest-Prince Rupert Jun 8 - 10
Prince Rupert, BC prspecialevents.com/seafest.html Features family entertainment, a seniors’ tea, youth blockstock, a parade, downtown events, and games, and various harbour waterfront events such as a sailpast, flypast, kayak races, and a children’s fishing derby.
Mission Arts Council Children’s Festival Jun 10
Mission, BC missionartscouncil.ca A great kick-off to summer, this day is fun filled for children and the young-at-heart. Music, dance, juggling, games, numerous art workstations, pony rides, bouncy balloons, and more guarantee smiles and laughter all around.
PRISMA - Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy Jun 11 - 23
Powell River, BC prismafestival.com 80 pre-professional musicians from all over the world form a one-of-a-kind symphony orchestra guided by 20 guest artists from the world’s finest orchestras, plus daily musical events, including orchestra and chamber concerts. Rehearsals, master classes and recitals are open
to the public. Máté Szücs, the Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic is one of our 2018 featured soloists.
Improvaganza June 13 - 23
Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, AB rapidfiretheatre.com/festival/improvaganza/ Improvaganza is Edmonton’s international improv and sketch comedy festival! The 18th edition of the festival will take place from June 13-23 at the Citadel Theatre in the heart of downtown Edmonton.
WOW! Wednesday On the Wharf Jun 13 - Aug 29
Marine Peace Park, Salmon Arm, BC salmonarmartscentre.ca/wow Wednesday evening musical concerts at Salmon Arm’s Marine Park. Musical styles ranging from jazz to rock, funk to folk. Held in the Park’s gazebo, bring a deck chair or blanket and enjoy the music. Concerts begin at 6:45 pm. Admission is by donation.
Strata New Music Festival Jun 8 - 10
Saskatoon, SK sasknewmusic.com/dev/about-thefestival Year-round new music performances, the the summer Strata Festival highlights new prairie composers.
Summerland Bluegrass Festival Jun 8 - 10
Rodeo Grounds, Summerland, BC summerlandbluegrass.com Many hours of on-stage open mic for individuals or groups. Feature band on Saturday evening. Continuous fun with band scrambles, seminars, and evening jams.
Tiny Lights Festival Jun 8 - 10
Ymir, BC tinylightsfestival.com Over 50 performances, workshops in spoken word, theatre, and film all happening at six historic buildings in Ymir, BC.
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June City of Bhangra Festival Jun 14 - 17
Vancouver and Surrey, BC vibc.org Performing arts festival in Vancouver that celebrates the dance and music of the Punjab regions of Pakistan and India.
Sam Steele Days Jun 14 - 17
Cranbrook, BC samsteeledays.org Cranbrook’s annual festival held at Spirit Square, featuring fun and excitement for the whole family including a kids’ fun zone, strongman competition, parade, ball tournament, community stage entertainment, arts and crafts, and displays.
1913 Days Jun 15 - 17
Sylvan Lake, AB sylvanlake.ca Parade, kids zone, and family activities.
leather goods, jewellery, pottery, picture frames, a silent auction, and jam sessions.
Annual Beaumont Blues & Roots Festival Jun 15 - 17
Sunshine Festival
Four Seasons Park, Beaumont, AB bbrf.ca Presenting the Alberta capital region with the best in live Canadian blues, roots, folk, rockabilly, and country music. Providing high quality live music for all ages.
Jun 15 & 16
30th Avenue, downtown Vernon, BC downtownvernon.com Block after block of outstanding bargains, great live entertainment, children’s activities, street cafes, art, and cultural performances bring crowds out to downtown Vernon.
Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival Jun 15 - 17
Gibsons Landing, BC coastjazz.com The festival weekend is preceded by Jazz Week, a full week of live music in local restaurants and other venues to promote the talented musicians on the Sunshine Coast. Workshops, two days of outdoor stage performances overlooking the stunning Gibsons Harbour.
Theatre Royal Summer Gala Jun 16
Barkerville Historic Town, BC barkerville.ca Kick off Barkerville’s summer season with theatre fun at the Theatre Royal’s summer show premiere.
Adstock
Party in the Park
Jun 17
Jun 15 & 16
Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge, BC Adstock is a free, outdoor, alternative music festival in the heart of Maple Ridge at the Bandstand in Memorial Peace Park. The show highlights youth bands and acoustic acts and will also host some of the best names in punk, metal, ska, and hardcore that Vancouver has to offer.
Whitecourt, AB whitecourtwoodlandstourism.com Party in the Park is a two-day event offering a mix of cultural activities, performances, and food. It offers a variety of local bands and well-known headline acts.
Pure Speculation Jun 15 & 16
Car Free YYJ
Sooke River Bluegrass Festival
Downtown Douglas St, Victoria, BC atomiqueproductions.com Douglas Street is closing down to host Car Free YYJ! CFYYJ 2018 will have four stages with music and entertainment, more than 300 vendors, artisans and makers, food vendors, and more who will line the street!
Edmonton, AB Pure Speculation is Edmonton’s premiere science fiction and fantasy festival, featuring two-and-a-half days of panels, costumes, merchants, games and other events aimed at the geek in you.
Jun 17
Jun 15 - 17
Sooke River Campground, Sooke, BC sookebluegrass.com/festival Held at the Sooke River Campground, the event is family-friendly and features a wide range of local acoustic talent, food vendors, and music workshops.
Medicine Hat Jazz Fest Jun 17 - 24
Medicine Hat, AB medicinehatjazzfest.com World-class jazz festival includes many free and ticketed events all over the city.
Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering Jun 15 - 17
Arts Without Borders
Stavely, AB wccowboygathering.com The weekend will include music, humour, tall tales, vendors offering handmade
22 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Jun 18 - 23
Lloydminster, AB artswithoutborders.ca
Street festival, street dance, art market, celebration of the arts.
Freewill Shakespeare Festival Jun 19 - Jul 15
Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB freewillshakespeare.com Comedy of Errors and Hamlet in a beautiful outdoor setting.
OUTstages Jun 19 - 24
Victoria, BC intrepidtheatre.com OUTstages is Victoria’s first queer theatre festival. A week of outrageous stories, surprises, parties, and performances from and for the queer community and beyond.
Victoria’s Ska & Reggae Festival Jun 20 - 24
Victoria, BC victoriaskafest.ca/ Victoria BC Ska Society presents the Annual Ska & Reggae Fest, bringing fans the best ska, reggae, dancehall, dub, rock, jazz, and Latin music from across the world.
Country at the Creek Jun 21 - 23
Ness Creek, 20 km NE of Big River, SK countryatthecreek.ca Annual music festival held at the Ness Creek Site in June. Beer gardens and country artists.
Freezer Burn Jun 21 - 25
Near Ponoka, AB freezerburn.org Freezer Burn is the annual Burning Man event for the Alberta region. Organizers create a temporary community out on the prairie to strengthen ties with old friends and to forge friendships with newcomers to the Burning Man experience.
Long Day’s Night Festival Jun 21 - 24
Swift Current, SK longdaysnight.ca Celebrate four of the longest days of the
year with great music and lots of fun under a big-top tent at Marston Street and 11th Ave SW, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Penticton Elvis Festival Jun 21 - 24
Penticton, BC pentictonelvisfestival.ca The three-day Festival is an annual event taking place in the picturesque city of Penticton. Features dozens of tribute artists gracing outdoor stages set around Okanagan Lake. Headliners perfrom at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre.
Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Jun 21 - 24
Seldovia, Alaska seldoviaartscouncil.net/seldoviamusicfestival/index.html The Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival is an annual event held in Seldovia, Alaska. Featuring fine musicians and performers from Alaska, the United States, and beyond.
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival Jun 22 - 24
Vancouver, BC dragonboatbc.ca/home North America’s biggest dragon boat festival returns to False Creek. Enjoy family activity, cultural entertainment, and worldclass racing during Vancouver’s biggest community event and summer kickoff.
FernFest Jun 22 & 23
Fernwood, Victoria, BC fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/fernfest/ FernFest is a music and arts festival and neighbourhood celebration that began in 1995. The weekend is filled with an eclectic line-up of music showcasing local talent.
Sled Island Festival Jun 21 - 24
Calgary, AB sledisland.com Featuring over 250 bands plus comedy, film, and art in 30 venues.
The Works Art and Design Festival Jun 21 - Jul 3
Edmonton, AB theworks.ab.ca The Works International Visual Arts Society produces The Works Art & Design Festival, which attracts artists and patrons from around the world, boosting the energy and imagination of downtown Edmonton at the start of every summer. The Works is a free event that draws an audience representing all ages and interests, offering over 200 exciting exhibits and special events to the public.
Campbell Bay Music Festival Jun 22 - 24
Mayne Island, BC campbellbaymusicfest.com The Campbell Bay Music Fest presents emerging artists in a diverse array of genres.
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June Miners Memorial Weekend Jun 22 - 24
Cumberland, BC cumberlandmuseum.ca A three-day labour history and labour issues festival featuring film, heritage tours and music. The event welcomes hundreds of attendees from across Western Canada and as far away as the UK, including workers and their families, activists, artists, writers, academics, community leaders, musicians, and many others.
North Country Fair Jun 22 - 24
Near Driftpile, AB lslncca.ca/current A celebration of the summer solstice, camping, friendship and music. Summer Solstice, sometimes known as Midsummer, Litha, or St. John’s Day, occurs in the middle of June. It is a festival of community sharing and planetary service.
Jazzfest will offer workshops and clinics during the week. Check out the food village and Big Rock Beer Garden at Centennial Square.
SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1
Saskatoon, SK saskjazz.com Taking place in the heart of the Bridge City in the middle of summer, this jazz festival boasts a following like no other. With eclectic choices for performers from small to mainstage, this is one of the staple events of a summer in Saskatoon.
Revelstoke Street Fest Jun 23 - Aug 26
Grizzly Plaza, Revelstoke, BC revelstokeartscouncil.com/ 65 consecutive nights of music from the end of June through to the end of August, the Revelstoke Arts Council provides free live music in Grizzly Plaza. With a diverse range of unique artists, the summer street festival is fun for the whole family.
Summer Solstice Festival d’ete Jun 22 & 23
Gravelbourg, SK summersolsticefestivaldete.com Celebrate the spirit of the southern Saskatchewan landscape through art, music, dance, literature, and drama during the summer solstice.
SaskPower Windscape Kite Festival Jun 23 & 24
Swift Current, SK windscapekitefestival.ca This world-class event attracts kite flyers, enthusiasts and fun loving people from across the globe to one prairie field to enjoy an exciting weekend of kiting and family fun. This free admission festival features fabulous art kites, giant creature kites, speeding kite buggies, screaming stunt kites, and battling fighter kites.
TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1
Edmonton, AB edmontonjazz.com The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society instills in audiences the appreciation of jazz music as a diverse art form, connecting regional audiences with provincial, national and international jazz artists. The society is dedicated to providing a professional and supportive environment for jazz artists to perform, collaborate, and celebrate with the people of Edmonton.
Greek Day on Broadway Jun 24
Vancouver, BC greekday.com Takes place on Broadway, from MacDonald to Blenheim Street in Vancouver from 11 am –11 pm. Food and beverage vendors, market place, performances by dance groups, and a kids zone.
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1
Midnight Sun Festival
Vancouver, BC coastaljazz.ca British Columbia’s biggest music presentation brings the world’s best bands to Vancouver while drawing over half a million people to 35 indoor and outdoor stages. The internationally acclaimed event features over 1,800 artists.
Jun 24
Fairbanks, AK downtownfairbanks.com Alaska’s largest single-day event plays host to over 30,000 fans who take 33 live musical performances on three stages, over 180 booths of arts, crafts, merchandise, information. Skateboarding, face painting, extreme car racing, paddler’s river slalom race, break dancing, pony rides, vintage motors, barbecue cook-off, gold panning, break dancing, celestial shopping, and fabulous food.
TD Victoria International JazzFest Jun 22 - Jul 1
Victoria, BC jazzvictoria.ca/jazz-fest Over 90 performances on 11 stages in downtown Victoria. A full schedule and ticket info available on the website.
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Reign Bough Fiddle Festival
Banff Iniskim Powwow
Nelson ArtWalk
Jun 29 – Jul 2
Jun 29 - 30
Jun 29 - Jul 27 - Sep 7
Metis Crossing, Smoky Lake, AB reignboughfiddle.com For one exciting weekend, get ready to leave ordinary at the door and follow your imagination to the Reign Bough Fiddle where you can see some of the biggest names in psytrance, house, funk, and more.
Giants Head Freeride-LongBoard Race Jun 25 - 27
Summerland, BC giantsheadfreeride.com Music, skateboarding, and camping. Three full days of shuttled runs, lake jumping, and camping at the rodeo grounds.
Sacred Music Dance Camp Jun 27 - Jul 1
Johnsons Landing Retreat Center, BC JohnsonsLandingRetreat.bc.ca Certified dance leaders, lead the Dances of universal peace for a heart opening experience. Limited to 50 dancers so register early. Karma Yoga trades available. Free Camping.
Dauphins Countryfest Jun 28 - Jul 1
Dauphin, MB countryfest.ca Canada’s longest running four-day country music festival is held annually every July long weekend and features the best in local, national and international entertainment on three separate stages. Nestled on the north side of Riding Mountain National Park, the festival site is 10 km south of the city of Dauphin, Manitoba, and is home to the most beautiful outdoor amphitheatre in western Canada.
AdAka Cultural Festival Jun 29 - Jul 5
Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, Whitehorse, YK adakafestival.ca A vibrant program filling eight days of traditional and contemporary music, dance, drumming, art and craft, storytelling, film, cultural presentations, workshops, artist demonstrations, a community feast, and much more.
Banff, AB calendar.powwows.com/events/3rdannual-banff-iniskim-powwow-2018 Beaver Lake Cree Nation annual competition powwow. Host: Drum Seekaskootch
Curiosity Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2
TBA, South Okanagan, BC curiositymusicfestival.com Electronic music, joining nature, and community. You’ll have to buy a ticket to find out where the festival will be.
Funtastic Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2
Vernon, Armstrong & Enderby, BC funtasticsports.ca Four nights of ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and country music under the stars at the region’s biggest outdoor concert. Beverage gardens, daytime contests, and more than 4,500 athletes participating in more than 616 slo-pitch games for North America’s largest slo-pitch tournament.
Kamp Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2
Whatsan Lake Retreat Center, BC kampfestival.com KAMP Festival is a summer camp for adults. A three-day weekend adventure in recreation and art creation. A three-night celebration of music and dance; 50+ workshops, games and activities, yoga and wellness programming, delicious locally sourced meals, talent show and more.
Laketown Rock Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 1
Laketown Ranch, Cowichan Valley, BC laketownrock.com Classic rock festival featuring great music, camping, food, and fun at the 172-acre Laketown Ranch.
Metalocalypstick Fest Jun 29 - Jul 2
Valemount, BC metalocalypstickfest.rocks/ Metal fest camp out in beautiful Valemount, BC, featuring metal or hardcore/ punk bands with female power.
Downtown, Nelson, BC ndac.ca Come and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of one of British Columbia’s oldest ArtWalks. See Nelson come alive with visual and performance art in businesses as venues throughout downtown all summer long.
Penticton Rib Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2
Lake Okanagan Park, Penticton, BC pentictonribfest.com Indulge in a rib cook-off between four champion barbecue teams from across Canada, music throughout the entire event, entertainment, and activities for children and youth, as well as a beverage garden and loads of vendors.
Smithers Midsummer Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 1
Smithers, BC smithersmusicfest.com A family-friendly event held each year in the Bulkley Valley featuring an eclectic mix of performers from headliners to local and regional talent. The three-day festival also offers a host of workshops, jam zones, food, and craft vendors.
Theatre BC Mainstage 2018 Jun 29 - Jul 7
Vernon, BC, theatrebc.org Theatre BC is divided into 10 regional zones from around the province. Each year these regional zones hold festivals in order to determine a ‘best of the best’ performance. The winners of these zone festivals then proceed onto the Annual Provincial Theatre Festival, this year to be held in Vernon, BC.
Magnificent River Rats Festival Jun 30 - Jul 1
Athabasca, AB riverratsfestival.com Bringing Athabasca and surrounding communities together to enjoy music, local artisans, and many other family oriented activities.
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July Live In Lake Country
International Choral Kathaumixw
Jul 1 - Aug 25
Jul 3 - 7
Lake Country, BC liveinlakecountry.ca Free concert performances Saturday evenings at 6pm. Various locations.
Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts Jul 1
Kinsmen Beach, Invermere, BC columbiavalleyarts.com Live entertainment, art tents, build a boat contest, clowns, bounce castles, and more. Participate in the “Transformation Station” with tattoos, and face painting. A variety of food kiosks.
Pacific Rim Summer Festival Jul 1 - 8
Tofino and Ucluelet, BC pacificrimarts.ca Events take place in Ucluelet, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and Tofino. Art shows, live entertainment, events, and workshops.
Victoria Pride Festival Jul 1 - 8
MacDonald Park, Victoria, BC victoriapridesociety.org The parade (Government/Pandora) and festival (MacDonald Park) featuring live bands, drag performances, vendors, food fair, community groups, children’s entertainment, and a beer garden. More events are held throughout the week, including drag baseball, a dog walk, whale watching, boat cruise, and a youth dance.
oliverartscouncil.org Live classic rock, country, big band, jazz, pop and folk. Market 4:30 – 8 pm, food vendors, fresh produce, and artisans. Music 6:30 - 8pm.
Multiple Venues, Powell River, BC kathaumixw.org Choral music fills this seaside community as choirs from around North America and overseas gather for common singing, concerts, choral and solo competitions, social events and seminars with world-renowned conductors.
Winnipeg Folk Fest Jul 5 - 8
Birds Hill Provincial Park, Winnipeg, MB winnipegfolkfestival.ca Ten stages of music to explore at this legendary family friendly festival.
Theatre Under the Stars Jul 4 - Aug 18
Malkin Bowl, Vancouver, BC tuts.ca Theatre Under the Stars presents two musical theatre shows a summer. The 2018 season features Cinderella and 42nd Street.
All Folk’d Up in Montmartre Jul 6 - 8
Kemoca Regional Park, Montmartre, SK allfolkedup.net Family-friendly event with three days of music on two stages.
Downtown Live - Salmon Arm
Atlin Arts & Music Festival
Jul 5 - Aug 25
Jul 6 - 8
Ross Street Plaza, Salmon Arm, BC salmonarmdowntown.com/music/downtown_live Running through July and August: Thursday (alternating) Jazz evenings at 7pm; Friday afternoons at 12:30; and Saturday evenings at 7pm.
Atlin, BC, www.atlinfestival.ca/ A family-friendly festival including an exciting collection of accomplished and emerging musicians and visual artists, art and music workshops and kids’ activities. Free camping with ticket purchase.
Indian Summer
Bass Coast Summer Festival
Jul 5 - 14
Jul 6 - 9
Vancouver, BC indiansummerfest.ca A festival of arts, ideas, and diversity.
Merritt, BC basscoast.ca Each year Bass Coast offers an eclectic mix of emerging Canadian electronic producers alongside internationally renowned artists.
Oliver Music in the Park Jul 5 - Aug 23
Oliver Community Park Stage, Oliver, BC
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Calgary Stampede
Ukrainian Pysanka Festival
Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival
Jul 6 - 15
Jul 6 - 8
Jul 7
Calgary, AB calgarystampede.com The stampede promotes volunteerism, presents a year-round slate of events, and invests in youth and agricultural programs, developing a unique, western experience for the world to enjoy.
FVDED in the Park Jul 6 - 7
Surrey, BC, Holland Park fvdedinthepark.com An emerging urban music festival and the largest outdoor music event in Metro Vancouver. Over 30 world-renowned artists across three stages.
Harrison Festival of the Arts Jul 6 - 15
Harrison Hot Springs, BC harrisonfestival.com The Harrison Festival of the Arts has presented the best in performing and visual art from around the world set against the magnificent mountains and the sandy beaches of Harrison Lake. Featuring an outdoor and indoor stage, large outdoor art and craft market, workshops, a special day for children (of all ages) and much more.
Kootenay Country Music Festival Jul 6 - 8
Vegreville, BC pysankafestival.com Grandstand shows, Ukrainian food, music, dances, competitions, beer garden, marketplace, pioneer demos, and more.
Whistler Children’s Art Festival Jul 6 - 8
Village, Whistler, BC artswhistler.com The heart of Whistler Village will be transformed with tents, balloons and stages. This fun-filled weekend features a multitude of hands-on art workshops led by professional artists in fine arts, crafts, theatre, multi-media, dance, and music from across BC.
Whyte Avenue ArtWalk Jul 6 - 8
West 4th, Vancouver, BC khatsahlano.com Eight stages showcasing more than 50 of Vancouver’s top musical performers as well as the eclectic work of local artisans and street performers from 9am - 11pm. This 10-block street fair also features a wide variety of food options, bustling patios, giveaways, special activities, and licensed outdoor beer gardens.
North West Roots Festival Jul 7 - 8
Expo Centre, Enumclaw, WA nwrootsfestival.com Two nights of on-site camping with parking, late night festivities, beer garden, and the best local food and craft vendors, featuring some of the North West’s best local reggae, sharing the stage with a selection great touring acts.
Whyte Avenue, Edmonton, AB art-walk.ca This 4 km walk through one of Edmonton’s historic areas sees the streets lined with locally-made art.
Chemainus Blues Festival Jul 7
Waterwheel Park, Chemainus, BC chemainusblues.com Presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society.
PRESENTED BY:
Castlegar, BC, Pass Creek Exhibition Grounds www.kootenaycountryfest.com Enjoy food and goods vendors and assortments of beer and spirits while you experience some of your favourite country music artists at the beautiful Pass Creek Exhibition Grounds near downtown Castlegar, BC.
Pembina River Nights Jul 6 - 7
Rangeton Park, Evansburg, AB asmallshieldmusic.ca This small, intimate festival is a family family-friendly favourite amongst CKUA listeners, and those who love to camp by the river. Canadian and international musicians of all styles.
July 26–29 RIVERSIDE PARK • Entertainers from around the world including: acrobats, magicians, jugglers, hula hoops, musicians and more! • Family oriented, FREE-TO-ATTEND festival • Outdoor stages in Riverside Park and busk stops around downtown • Shows daily from 1pm to 9pm
KAMLOOPSBUSKERS.COM
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July Penticton Scottish Festival
Burn in the Fraser
Arts on the Fly
Jul 7
Jul 12 - 15
Jul 13 - 14
Kings Park, Penticton, BC pentictonscottishfestival.ca Celtic groups gather to perform and compete in this annual event.
Saskatoon Berry Festival Jul 7
Mortlach, SK mortlach.ca Community event for everyone, with berries and fun.
Seven Music Fest Jul 7
Seven Hills (Mission Park) St. Albert, AB sevenmusicfest.com An amazing selection of top artists on the main stage and a variety of vendors including food, artists, and merchants.
Saskatoon Reggae and World Music Festival Jul 8
W.E. Graham Park, Saskatoon, SK saskatoonreggaefestival.com Music, workshops, and dance performances by First Nations, Caribbean, Latin people and more cultures.
Summer Sounds Jul 8 - Aug 26
Beacon Park, Sidney, BC sidney.ca Every Sunday in July and August, bring your lawn chair or blanket down to Beacon Park and listen to a variety of musical entertainment from 2 - 4 pm.
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival Jul 10 - 15
Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park (Gazebo Park), Edmonton, AB edmontonstreetfest.com Featuring every conceivable act from magician to mime, catapult to cabbage catcher, living statue to fire eater, over four million visitors have experienced this festival.
Agassiz, BC burnintheforest.com This is a regional Burning Man event for B.C. It’s community is built on the participation of its members, and from the simple exchange of food, stories, or a helping hand, to the elaborate construction of an interactive art project.
Horsefly, BC artsonthefly.com Arts on the Fly brings a hearty mix of musical styles to the beautiful town of Horsefly B.C., with four stages, workshops, a vendor market, and kids zone, all along the meandering Horsefly River.
Calaway Comic Fest for Kids
Country Thunder
Jul 13 - 15
Jul 12 - 15
245033 Range Rd 33, Calgary calawaypark.com Dress up in your best family friendly costume and visit the Artist Market featuring unique items from local artists or stop by the Photo Op Zone to be transported to a world far, far away. Forgot your mask? Stop by the Superhero Face Painting Center ($5 per face). Come experience Calaway Park like you never have before.
Craven, SK countrythunder.com One of the largest country festivals in Saskatchewan, big-name performers, big skies, and rolling prairie.
Elephant Mountain Literary Festival Jul 12 - 15
Multiple Venues, Nelson, BC emlfestival.com Annual Canadian literary festival bringing the best and brightest literary and publishing talent to the number one arts town in Canada.
Astral Harvest Music & Arts Festival Jul 13 - 16
Driftpile, AB astralharvest.com Family-friendly atmosphere is part of the magic, with a playground and childcentered activities aimed at keeping little harvesters entertained and engaged. Four stages, three nights, DJs, live music, workshops, performances, conferences, and live art.
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival Jul 12 - 15
The Bluff & Summit Park, Westcliffe CO highmountainhayfever.org Inspiring performances and enthusiastic crowds create an authentic bluegrass vibe all weekend long.
Christina Lake Homecoming Summerfest Jul 13 - 14
Community Beach, Christina Lake, BC christinalakehomecoming.com Discover Canada’s warmest tree lined lake, nestled in the mountains of Boundary Country and experience the charm of this community summer festival packed with a market, music, performances, family beach party, grand finale Light Up The Lake boat parade for cash prizes and more.
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival Jul 12 - 14
Tolt-Macdonald Park, Carnation, WA timbermusicfest.com Music and community in the beautiful natural environment of the Pacific Northwest.
Armstrong Metal Fest
Parksville Beachfest Concert Series
Jul 13 - 14
Jul 13 - Aug 19
Hassen Arena, Armstrong, BC armstrongmetalfest.ca Local and international musicians together for heavy metal and camping at the Hassen Arena in the small town of Armstrong. Camping is included with the purchase of a ticket.
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Parksville, BC parksvillebeachfest.ca Friday and Saturday evenings enjoy top notch music on the beach. Through the week, participate in the sandsculpting competition and exhibition.
Peace Festival Jul 13 - 14
Twelve Foot Davis Events Park, Peace River, AB peacefest.com Concerts Friday and Saturday night, Saturday street fair, and activities for kids and the whole family.
and diverse music for all ages at Jericho Beach. Add in fabulous food, great shopping, a special area for little folks, plus other on-site activities and amenities.
Vancouver Island Music Fest Jul 13 - 15
Jul 13 - 15
West Shore Parks and Recreation, lower fields, Colwood, BC rocktheshores.com Biggest rock event on Vancouver Island.
Comox Valley Fairgrounds, Courtenay, BC islandmusicfest.com Three days and nights of amazing roots, blues and world music from across Canada and the world. Six stages on-site riverside camping, kids activities, ecoeducation areas, workshops, tasty foods and more.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Wild Mountain Music Festival
Rock the Shores
Jul 13 - 15
Jul 13 - 15
Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver, BC thefestival.bc.ca Known around the world for its quality of its programming, friendly ambiance, and beautiful park setting, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival offers exciting, eclectic,
Entrance Ranch, Hinton, AB wildmtnmusic.ca Beer tent, kids area, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors. Trailer and tent camping on-site. Festival shuttle bus to and from Hinton. Store on-site for all your festival needs.
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Barkerville Aboriginal Celebration Jul 14
Barkerville Historic Town, BC barkerville.ca Presentations by the Lhtako Dene Hoop Dancers, Xatśūll First Nations, St’at’imc Bear Dancers, and more.
Chemainus Bluegrass Festival Jul 14
Waterwheel Park, Chemainus, BC chemainusbluegrass.com Presented each year by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society.
Greenwood Founders’ Day Jul 14 - 15
Lion’s Park, Greenwood, BC greenwoodcity.com Annual celebration of Greenwood’s birthday. Great fun for the whole family. Parade, exhibits, food vendors and entertainment.
NEKO CASE • RY COODER • RODNEY CROWELL • DAKHABRAKHA • THE DEAD SOUTH ISKWÉ • KACY & CLAYTON • JAMES MCMURTRY • CAROLE POPE • RANKY TANKY STEVE RILEY AND THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS • WAZIMBO AND BANDA KAKANA • ALEX CUBA DARLINGSIDE • GUY DAVIS • JIMMY “DUCK” HOLMES • LITTLE MISS HIGGINS SON DE MADERA • THREE WOMEN AND THE TRUTH • DONOVAN WOODS ART BERGMANN • WALLIS BIRD • PETUNIA AND THE VIPERS • LES POULES À COLIN ARCHIE ROACH • MARIEL BUCKLEY • STEPH CAMERON • JOACHIM COODER JAYME STONE • DÁLAVA • LAS ESTRELLAS • MICK FLANNERY • DORI FREEMAN ILARIA GRAZIANO E FRANCESCO FORNI • GORDON GRDINA’S HARAM AND MANY MORE!
T H E F E S T I VA L . B C . C A
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 29
July Kimberley Medieval Festival Jul 14 - 15
Kimberley, BC kimberleycitybakery.ca/medieval-festival The Annual Kimberley Medieval Festival includes an authentic Viking village. Learn about the past, dress up, and come together for this community event.
The Pacific Northwest’s oldest running bluegrass festival, since 1977 and still going strong, draws over 7,000 people each year.
Billy Barker Days
Fiestaval
Jul 19 - 22
Quesnel, BC billybarkerdays.ca Quesnel’s Billy Barker Days is a free family festival celebrating the town’s gold rush heritage. The festival features four days of entertainment for those seeking action, relaxation, fun, and excitement.
Taste of Edmonton Jul 19 – 28
Federal Capital Place, Edmonton, AB tasteofedm.ca With more than 45 vendors and various food trucks, Taste of Edmonton is one of western Canada’s largest food festivals.
Edmonton, AB k-days.com K-days is a tribute to Edmonton’s history and a door to the future. Family fun, adventures in wine, food and spirits, and a long list of some of the finest musical acts in Canada.
Jul 20 - 22
Gyro Park, Penticton, BC downtownpenticton.org/rockthesun Live music in Gyro Park: July 14, 28, Aug 4, Sept 1.
Jul 14 - Sep 1
Jul 20 - 29
Dawson City Music Festival Dawson City, YK dcmf.com The Dawson City Music Festival has been a fixture of the Yukon cultural calendar since 1979. An eclectic blend of concerts, workshops, and sessions over three days in six venues, including the historic Palace Grand Theatre.
Rock the Sun
K Days
Kimberley JulyFest Jul 20 - 22
Centennial Park, Kimberley, BC kimberleyjulyfest.com Julyfest is home to one of the biggest soccer tournaments in North America, an extreme downhill longboard race, the Kimberley Homecoming Parade, a kids festival and an amazing Saturday night dance party.
Jul 20 - 22
Calgary Olympic Plaza, Calgary, AB fiestaval.ca Free and family-oriented, multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting Latin American Culture.
Mission Folk Music Festival Jul 20 - 22
Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, BC missionfolkmusicfestival.ca Mission has carved out a niche that is unique among Canadian festivals, seeking to find the best, the rarest, the unheard of that should be heard, and to nurture local artists while reaching around the globe to bring in the world’s great music.
Folk on the Rocks Jul 20 - 22
Yellowknife, NWT folkontherocks.com With more than 24 hours of programming you can drift between six stages on the shores of a beautiful crystal clear subarctic lake fringed by ancient rock, and a landscape of soft sand. Contemporary and traditional folk jam alongside some of the country’s coolest indie-starlets.
South County Fair Jul 20 - 22
near Fort Macleod, AB southcountryfair.com/ South Country Fair is a rural, peace-oriented, camping, music and arts festival that manifests itself annually just outside Fort Macleod, Alta
Calgary Turkish Festival Jul 19 - 22
Barclay Parade, Calgary, AB calgaryturkishfestival.ca Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage, and cuisine.
Interstellar Rodeo Edmonton Jul 20 - 22
Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB interstellarrodeo.com/edmonton/ Southern blues, rock, and soul traditions make up the base sound with great dance bands and indie performances.
Starbelly Jam Jul 20 - 22
Crawford Bay, BC starbellyjam.org Great entertainment, great food, great people, lots of happy kids and room to play. Not too big and not too small, this is a “just right” festival.
Ness Creek Folk Fest Jul 19 - 22
Ness Creek, 20 km NE of Big River, SK nesscreekmusicfestival.com Variety of music, tons of artistic activities and workshops.
Darrington Bluegrass Festival Jul 20 - 22
Islands Folk Festival Jul 20 - 22
Providence Farm, Duncan, BC islandsfolkfestival.ca An intimate festival in a stunning venue. The IFF brings a world class mix of folk, roots, blues, and world music to five stages. Great kids area, stellar camping.
Darrington, WA darringtonbluegrass.com
30 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
T S E B THE S Y A D 10
R E M M U S F O
Huge concerts, adrenaline pumping rides, delicious treats, agriculture and cultural experiences, live entertainment, makers exhibitions, local Alberta craft beer, rodeo thrills, shopping and so much more—K-Days has never been more exciting! Plan your visit at K-DAYS.COM
JULY 20-29
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 31
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July Street Performers Festival Jul 20 - 22
Grande Prairie, AB gpstreetfest.com Bringing jugglers, acrobats, musicians, installation artists, facepainters, and many other assorted entertainers from around the world to Grande Prairie.
The Phillips Backyard Weekender Jul 20 - 22
Philips Brewery, Victoria, BC phillipsbeer.com Victoria’s best backyard party. The back lot of Victoria’s Philips Brewery transforms into a three day concert venue.
Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival Jul 20 - 22
Winthrop, WA winthropbluesfestival.com Located at the Blues Ranch on the Methow River in the resort town of Winthrop, Washington, the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival is a three-day event packed
full of exciting national and regional entertainment for all ages. There is on site camping, food and craft vendors, portable showers, and a beer garden.
Downtown Kelowna Block Party Jul 21
Kerry Park & Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC downtownkelowna.com Biggest block party in the Okanagan. Bring your family, friends and dogs for a full day of shopping, fashion shows, children’s activities, dancing, music, and more. Live entertainment on three street stages and fun free outdoor activities from 10 am - 4 pm.
Bella Coola Music Festival Jul 21 - 22
Fall Fairgrounds, Bella Coola, BC bellacoolamusic.org An eclectic line-up of roots, rock, world, blues, folk, and more. With something for everyone, the festival features a children’s site, food and craft vendors, and workshops.
Music By The Sea Jul 21 - 29
Bamfield, BC musicbythesea.ca Music festival with 10 concerts, classical and contemporary solo and chamber music, sophisticated jazz, and alternative music by international performers in a beautiful West Coast setting.
Cortes Days Jul 21
Smelt Bay Provincial Park, Cortes Island, BC mansonshall.org/programs/cortes-day/ It’s a complete celebration of Cortes Island starting with breakfast and followed by a parade. The day is filled with activities for children and adults, such as the cake walk, chicken run, and the famous Nail, Snail, and Bail race.
Surrey Fusion Festival Jul 21 & 22
Holland Park, Surrey, BC surrey.ca/fusionfestival The ultimate celebration of food, music and culture.
Calgary Folk Music Festival Jul 26 - 29
Prince’s Island Park, Calgary, AB calgaryfolkfest.com With a glowing reputation for programming that welcomes music from around the corner and the globe, bringing together marquee artists, local favourites, history-makers and innovators to Calgary for a broad-ranging vision of folk with an edge.
CASCADIA Jul 26 - 29
Masonic Family Park, Granite Falls, WA cascadianw.com Featuring three days of camping with music, art, workshops, performances and artisan vending. Family-friendly and party approved.
Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival Jul 26 - 29
Stevenson, WA columbiagorgebluegrass.net Each year the bands include some
34 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
of the stalwarts of the North Western bluegrass community, as well as many players who are fairly new to bluegrass and to their instruments. This is a great chance for musicians to make new friends, play music with others, and get to perform on stage. Electric and dry camping available.
Electric Love Music Festival Jul 26 - 29
Agassiz, BC electriclovemusicfestival.com Renowned DJs and amazing custom visuals in a four-day transformational experience including art installations, workshops, meditation, and movement.
Element Music Festival Jul 26 - 29
Snug Lake Amphitheatre, Princeton, BC elementfestival.info Thee days and nights of music, camping and art that will be hosted on a breathtak-
ing 160-acre property, nestled among the beauty of the Thompson-Nicola Valley.
Kamloops International Buskers Festival Jul 26 - 29
Kamloops, BC kamloopsbuskers.com Professional street performers from the region, as well as across Canada, Europe and Australia will converge on Kamloops for the inaugural Kamloops International Buskers Festival. A family, fun, and free to attend festival presented on outside stages in beautiful Riverside Park and features live performances, music, food vendors, artisans and more.
park plus musical theatre, roaming buskers, kids crafts, the farmers market, kite flying, sports demos, and a movie under the stars.
Alpine Blossom Festival Jul 27 - 29
Sun Peaks Resort, BC sunpeaksresort.com/events-things-todo/events/alpine-blossom-festival Live music, a kids zone with games, face painting, and bouncy castle, outdoor evening movie, and more. This time of the summer season is when the alpine wildflowers are at the height of their bloom. Take a scenic ride on the Sunburst Express chairlift for access to hiking trails.
Blessed Coast Jul 27 - 30
WIND Festival Jul 26 - 28
Squamish, BC squamishwindfestival.com Free music in the park, food venders and top notch beer garden. Sailboat, art in the
ALL AGES
Squamish, BC blessedcoast.ca Three days of live music and performance, local organic food, yoga, workshops, and camping on the coast.
GOLDEN BC
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT GOLDENSOUNDFESTIVAL.COM
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 35
July Gateway Fest Jul 27 - 29
Bengough, SK gatewayfestival.com With three stages of concerts and workshops, a children’s area with performers and activities, a concerts and culture crawl, and many other events all delivered with small-town charm.
Hootstock Festival of Music, Dance and Spoken Word
Sasquatch Gathering Jul 27 - 29
Metis Crossing, AB (1.25 hours NE of Edmonton) sasquatchgathering.com A non-profit artistic and recreational event, set in a beautiful, rustic campground nestled along the Pembina River, kid and family friendly.
Jul 27 - 29
Forest Grove (near 100 Mile House), BC hootstock.com Featuring everything from bluegrass to dance performances, storytellers and poets, bands and electronica. It features workshops, eclectic vendors, camping, and food.
Gibsons Sea Cavalcade Jul 27 - 29
Gibsons Landing, Gibsons, BC seacavalcade.ca Events for all ages and levels of activity, from toddlers to seniors, spectators to competitive athletes. Sailing, kayak races, music, food, and more.
Golden Sound Festival Jul 27 & 28
Golden, BC goldensoundfestival.com All ages outdoor stage, excellent line up, in the heart of Golden.
Seafest-Alert Bay Jul 27 - 29
Kispiox Valley Music Festival
Alert Bay, BC alertbayseafest.com Seafest is a three day festival that includes Artfest and Musicfest. This familyfriendly event features live music and local crafts.
Jul 27 - 29
Kispiox, BC (near Hazelton) kvmf.ca Running since 1995 on the bank of the renown Kispiox river, this festival features up-and-coming new musicians in near all genres of music: rock, blues, folk, world, bluegrass, and celtic.
Sooke Fine Arts Show Jul 27 - Aug 6
Sooke, BC sookefinearts.com The eleven-day Show and Sale features 375 plus pieces of artwork from the finest artists on Vancouver Island and B.C.’s Coastal Islands. Wander the 17,000 square foot gallery, and enjoy all types of live music from classical to folk, bluegrass and jazz.
MarketFest Jul 27 & Aug 31
200 and 300 Blocks of Baker Street, Nelson, BC ecosociety.ca/markets/market-fest Downtown Baker Street is transformed into a lively night market featuring 100 vendors, two stages of live music, dance performances, kids entertainment and more. The MarketFest runs from 6 pm – 10:30 pm, last Friday in July and last Friday in August.
Ukee Days Jul 27 - 29
Village Green, Ucluelet, BC ukeedays.wordpress.com Ukee Days is a three day festival celebrating West Coast life, featuring logger sports, live music and performances, food and retail vendors, parade, beer gardens, pancake breakfast, salmon and oyster barbecue, contests and more.
Monster Energy Center of Gravity Jul 27 - 29
August 17-19, 2018
City Park, Kelowna, BC wetape.com Hot beach festival featuring world class sports: beach volleyball, basketball, wakeboarding, freestyle mountain biking, FMX, skateboarding, and BMX. As well as some of the worlds biggest names in dance, hip hop, and pop music.
Caribbean Days Festival North Vancouver Jul 28 & 29
Renton River Days
Waterfront Park, North Vancouver, BC caribbeandays.ca Presented by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of B.C. This event draws a crowd of exuberant fun-lovers to North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park for a weekend of parading, dining, and dancing in the sunshine.
Jul 27 - 29
June 29th - JuLy 27th - September 7th, 2018
Renton, WA rentonriverdays.org An annual multi-day family festival featuring a variety of events, special features for kids, arts and crafts, recreation, food, and stage entertainment at Liberty Park and Cedar River Park.
www.ndac.ca • info@ndac.ca
36 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Enderby Arts Festival
Richmond Maritime Festival
Jul 28
Jul 28 & 29
Enderby, BC enderbyartscouncil.ca The Enderby and District Arts Council presents a free family-friendly street festival of markets, all-day entertainment stage, family fun zone, and art.
Kootenay Festival Jul 28
Millennium Park, Castlegar, BC Kootenayfestival.com Featuring live music, dance, performances and cuisine from the diverse cultures represented in the Kootenay region.
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Country Fest
Britannia Shipyards, Richmond, BC richmondmaritimefestival.ca Seafarers and landlubbers alike celebrate Steveston’s waterfront heritage at the Britannia Shipyards, National Historic Site. Fun for the whole family, live music and performances, artists, exhibitors, and food.
Shorefest Jul 28 - Aug 4
English Bay, Vancouver, BC hondacelebrationoflight.com Free community concert series during the Honda Celebration of Light an annual musical fireworks competition held every summer in Vancouver. 10 pm July 28, Aug 1 and Aug 4.
Jul 28 & 29
Albion Fairgrounds, Maple Ridge, BC mrpmcountryfest.com Music, agriculture, food and fun, in B.C. farm country.
july 18 - 29, 2018
Calgary International Blues Festival Jul 30 - Aug 5
Shaw Millenium Park, Calgary, AB calgarybluesfest.com Celebrating the best in blues from across Canada and beyond with a full week of events culminating in four days and nights of non-stop music on Mainstage and at the nightly Twilight Blues dance parties. Family-friendly event with local food vendors, colourful arts market, festival merchandise, beer garden, and more.
Vancouver Bach Festival Jul 30 - Aug 10
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, BC earlymusic.bc.ca/events The Vancouver Bach Festival is one of the largest festivals of its type in North America. It is a superb series of concerts featuring guest artists from all over the world.
taste EDMONTON ONE BITE AT A TIME
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VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 37
August Doe Bay Fest
Rockin’ River Music Fest
Aug 1 - 6
Aug 2 - 5
Orcas Island, WA doebayfest.com This-four day festival features music, food, drink, camping, and activities in a unique setting. They love kids so much, adults that bring them get a discounted ticket. Seriously.
Big Valley Jamboree Aug 2 - 5
Camrose, AB bigvalleyjamboree.com Whether you’re a true blue country music fan, or just like to have fun in a casual, relaxed atmosphere, Big Valley Jamboree is the event for you.
Flowmotion Summer Meltdown Aug 2 - 5
Darrington, WA summermeltdownfest.com Summer Meltdown is a multi-day grassroots music festival featuring four stages of music, onsite camping, late night performances, river access, kids activities, music workshops, beer garden, green village, and so much more.
Hornby Festival Aug 2 - 11
Hornby Island, BC hornbyfestival.bc.ca The Hornby Festival is 10 days of festivities in mid-summer, including multi-genre mainstage concerts, children’s workshops, spoken word and visual arts.
artswells.com This is a four-day outdoor and indoor event designed with community in mind. Enjoy the weekend taking in all the great artists, the local flavour of nature trails, historical sites, artisans, and friendly folk.
Merritt, BC rockinriver.com Four-day country music festival with over 25 bands, on-site camping. Kids 12 and under are free.
Sunfest Festival
Barkerville Stage, Artwells Festival
Aug 2 - 5
Aug 3 - 6
Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Cowichan Valley, BC sunfestconcerts.com On August long weekend, Sunfest attracts thousands of country music fans from all over the island, the province, and now boasts an international fan base. This festival features exhibits, food and merchandise vendors and a beer garden.
Barkerville Historic Town, BC barkerville.ca Visit Barkerville’s ArtsWells stages for amazing acoustic musical presentations. The iconic and spectacular St. Saviour’s Church venue was constructed in 1869 and the reconstructed Methodist Church building offers outstanding audibility. Be part of this fabulous festival, and the history that surrounds it.
The Festival at Sandpoint
Blueberry Bluegrass Country Music Festival
Aug 2 - 12
Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint, ID festivalatsandpoint.com Annual summer concert series with eight nights of eclectic music under the stars on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, located in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Aug 3 - 5
Heritage Park, Stony Plain, AB blueberrybluegrass.com Western Canada’s largest bluegrass festival. Great outdoor concert stage in Heritage Park.
Wanderlust Festival Aug 2 - 5
Coombs Bluegrass Festival
Whistler, BC wanderlust.com/festivals/whistler/ Wanderlust is a five-day celebration, combining yoga, music, and nature.
Aug 3 - 5
Coombs Rodeo Grounds, 2601 Alberni Hwy, Coombs, BC chrco.org/bluegrass Coombs Bluegrass Festival is the oldest in B.C. Top-quality bluegrass music and a fun filled weekend of bluegrass, and camping at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds.
ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art Aug 3 - 6 Wells, BC
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Electric Sky Festival Aug 3 - 5
Ness Creek Campground, Big River, SK electricsky.ca Dance under the northern lights in the boreal forest of northern Saskatchewan.
Filberg Festival Aug 3 - 6
Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, Comox, BC filbergfestival.com Held each B.C. Day long weekend, the festival features more than 130 artisans, lively entertainment, and great food for all ages at the beautiful nine-acre waterfront Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, B.C.
Fire & Water Music Festival Aug 3 - 5
Lac du Bonnet, MB firenwater.ca The Fire & Water Music Festival celebrates musicians, visual artists, sideshow performers, dancers, and artisans. It offers three stages featuring independent music, artist workshops, and children’s programming for all ages.
Grizfest Aug 3 - 5
Tumbler Ridge, BC grizfest.com Held in the mountain wilderness, featuring all kinds of rock. Prepare for any kind of weather.
Harmony Arts Festival Aug 3 - 12
West Vancouver, BC harmonyarts.ca The Harmony Arts Festival hosts more than 70 free concerts on two outdoor stages, includes an art market, as well as artist talks, and workshops, and features food vendors and culinary events.
Kamloopa Powwow Aug 3 - 5
Tk’emlups Indian Band Powwow Grounds, Kamloops, BC tkemlups.ca One of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture and heritage in Western
Canada. Held at the Secwepemc Pow Wow grounds along the South Thompson River.
Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival Aug 3 - 5
Kaslo, BC kaslojazzfest.com Big mountains, small village, floating stage. This unique location provides festival patrons with natural amphitheatre surrounded by pristine wilderness around Kootenay Lake. World-class performers.
Mt Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival Aug 3 - 5
Bellingham, WA bakerblues.com The Mount Baker R&B Festival has, from the beginning, been dedicated to keepin’ the blues alive. By incorporating roots, rock, pure blues, and even a touch of rockabilly and jazz, the many genres are represented. Free camping/showers with weekend pass. 55 full RV hookups. The 180-acre site has food/crafts vendors and beer garden.
Maple Ridge Fairgrounds, Maple Ridge, BC caribbeanfest.ca Two large stages with continuous music from the Lower Mainland’s Caribbean community, featuring reggae, calypso, salsa and soca.
Edmonton Heritage Festival Aug 4 - 6
Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB heritagefest.ca Sample delicious food, see creative performances, and experience Canada’s multiculturalism, from 100 countries and cultures at 71 pavilions. Free entertainment on more than 25 stages throughout the park.
Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival Aug 4 & 5
Texada, BC texadabluesfestival.com Texada Island Blues & Roots festival features local artists, and this year is a tribute
Terrace Riverboat Days Aug 3 - 12
Terrace, BC riverboatdays.ca A large community festival, parade, fireworks, sports, and concerts in the park.
Canmore Folk Music Festival Aug 4 - 6
Centennial Park, Canmore, AB canmorefolkfestival.com The Canmore Folk Music Festival is a weekend-long event in the heart of the Rockies, with music, food vendors, craft vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Comox Nautical Days Aug 4 - 6
Marina Park, Comox, BC comoxnauticaldays.ca Tonnes of live local music and water competition, including the Bullhead Derby, canoe jousting, dragon boat races, Build, Bail & Sail, parade, food, crafts, and fireworks.
Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival Aug 4 & 5
9th Annual!
From Blues to Rock, Country to Folk... Featuring:
Cassandra Maze Compassion Gorilla Flint & Feather Best Night Ever The Kwerks
...and so much more! Kids’ Zone! Great Workshops! Exciting Vendors!
August 10 & 11, 2018 Spences Bridge, BC desertdaze.ca
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 39
August to Leonard Cohen. Camping, vendors, kidz zone, and a gospel hour.
Folklorama Aug 5 - 18
Winnipeg, MB folklorama.ca Promoting the ethno-cultural diversity of Manitoba with entertainment, public celebrations of culture, and education.
Vancouver Pride Parade Aug 5
Vancouver, BC vancouverpride.ca One of the largest and most successful events in the world, in support of LGBTQ2S+ communities, with spectators and participants outnumbering the host city’s residents. Noon – 3 pm, parade begins at Robson and Thurlow Streets and finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival.
Saskatoon Exhibition Aug 7 - 12
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK saskatoonexhibition.ca Numerous stages, youth talent search, art show, rides, beer gardens, and more.
CannaFest
Desert Daze Festival
Aug 9 - 11
Aug 10 & 11
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Dog Patch Music Festival
Aug 9 - 12
Aug 10 - 12
John Arcand Fiddle Fest
Edge of the World Music Festival on Haida Gwaii
James Donaldson Park, Grand Forks, BC cannafest.ca CannaFest combines the power of rock music with the education of the healing power of pot. Western Canada’s largest classic rock festival.
Spences Bridge, BC desertdaze.ca A mix of great local and touring musicians and bands. From rock to pop to folk to country to roots. It’s music for the whole family.
Gallaghar Park, Edmonton, AB edmontonfolkfest.org An irresistible festival. World-class folk music festival, featuring acts from across the world.
West of Loon Lake, SK dogpatchmusicfest.com Connected but unplugged, family-friendly festival.
Aug 9 - 12
Aug 10 - 12
Windy Acres, Saskatoon, SK johnarcandfiddlefest.com Promoting Métis cultural traditions through the preservation and promotion of fiddle music and dance. It provides a forum to showcase youth, talent and culture. Fiddle contests, workshops, jigging, beading, dancing, and more.
Tlell Fall Fair Grounds, Haida Gwaii, BC edgefestival.com Opening and closing with traditional Haida song and dance, EOTW music festival brings a wide selection of musical acts, from world beat to hip hop, and everything in between. Magical ambiance, diverse vendors, a kids zone, and workshops in a stunning environment.
8th Annual Retro Concert Weekend Aug 10 - 12
Peach Festival Aug 8 - 12
Penticton, BC peachfest.com The biggest free five-day festival in Western Canada. Free classic rock shows.
Music on the Mountain Festival
Sun Peaks Resort, BC sunpeaksresort.com/Retro A weekend of outdoor tribute band performances with the lush forest as the backdrop, and outdoor patios just steps away from the concert venue.
Aug 10 - 12
Fort St. James Fair Ground, BC momfestival.com Three days of magic and music during this family-friendly camp out arts festival, with independent artists from all over Turtle Island, and around the planet.
Campbell River Salmon Festival Aug 10 - 12
Regina Folk Festival
Nunns Creek Park, Campbell River, BC crsalmonfestival.com The festival is a tribute to the local resource industry of fishing, and logging. It features logger events, Salmon BBQ, live music stage, and kids activities.
Aug 10 - 12
Victoria Park, Regina, SK reginafolkfestival.com Terrific line-up of musicians from home and abroad take to this festival’s stage every year.
Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
Shambhala Music Festival
Aug 10 - 12
24 - 26
Aug 10 - 13
Downtown Edmonton, AB cariwest.ca Starting with a Friday Night Costume Extravaganza, a Saturday parade carnival parade, live entertainment, taste of the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Village Marketplace.
40 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Salmo, BC shambhalamusicfestival.com Set on a private 500-acre farm, over 300 acts from around the world on six uniquely themed stages.
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
Columbia Basin Culture Tour
BC SwingCamp
Aug 10 - 12
Aug 11 & 12
Aug 12 - 18
Inner Harbour, Victoria, BC victoriadragonboat.com Exciting dragon boat races, cultural performances, fantastic music, great food, activities for kids, and families.
Wapiti Fernie’s Music Festival Aug 10 & 11
Annex Park, Fernie, BC wapitimusicfestival.com A fresh mountain experience. Hear the best in Canadian indie performers that fit the spirit and energy of spectacular surroundings.
Columbia Basin, BC East and West Kootenays, BC cbculturetour.com Explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries, and heritage sites through this free, self-guided tour within the Columbia Basin: Golden down to Invermere and Radium, Fernie through Cranbrook and across to the west Kootenays in Nelson and surrounding areas. Meet the artists, shop for fine art and crafts; view demonstrations, special exhibitions, interpretive displays, or chat with local historians during this two-day cultural celebration.
Okanagan Pride Festival Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival Aug 11
Deer Lake Park, Burnaby, BC burnabybluesfestival.com An amazing day of top notch music for the whole family.
BLOCKTREAT BRITT AM THE OM SOUND COLLECTIVE LUKE WALLACE HIGH QUADRA RAMBLERS AMY BLANDING PARTY ON HIGH STREET DANNY BELL QUARTET ZONNIS MY SON THE HURRICANE THE UPPER TUNIST SABINA DENNIS CROWMARSH JOEY ONLY ON BLACKBERRY WOOD THALIA COUTURE WAX MANNEQUIN LUSCIOUS VIBACEOUS
Aug 11 - 18
Kelowna, BC okanaganpride.com An open, inter-faith, ecumenical gathering to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Sorrento, BC bcswingcamp.ca Spend an inspiring, challenging, and joyous week at a friendly, non-competitive environment for everyone from swing novices to more seasoned players. You’ll enjoy an extensive selection of seminars and workshops to help you grow as a musician.
Bear Creek Folk Festival Aug 16 - 19
Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie, AB bearcreekfolkfest.org More than 30 provincial, national, and international touring artists performing from a wide range of genres, including country, Celtic, blues, gospel, Americana, bluegrass, world music, contemporary, traditional, folk, and rock.
FESTIVAL
AUG 10 - 12, 2018 • FORT ST. JAMES, BC MOMFESTIVAL.COM
ART FARQHUERSEN BLIMP ROCK JESAJA ART BERGMANN BAREFOOT CARAVAN FOLKY STRUM STRUM BANJOMAN SALTWATER HANK NAOMI KAVKA INGRID PHILLIPPS THE RASPY DEVILS SARABANDE THE CUTHBERTS MELAWMEN COLLECTIVE MEL JOSHUA WOOD THE HONEY TONGUES SARAH BEATTY HAROLD PRINCE PLUS MORE TBA!!!
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 41
August Cultivate Aug 16 - 19
Gabriola Commons, BC cultivate.artsgabriola.ca Theatre, music, and genre-bending performances.
Saskatoon comes alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of its ethnic heritage.
up of folk, country, roots, blues, jazz, and celtic musicians.
Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
Country Thunder Aug 17 - 19
Calgary, AB countrythunder.com One of the largest country festivals, bigname performers.
Aug 16 - 19
Edmonton International Fringe Festival Aug 16 - 26
Old Strathcona, Edmonton, AB www.fringetheatre.ca Fringing brings artists and audiences together to celebrate creativity, risk, craft, and community.
Rockwood Centre, Sechelt, BC writersfestival.ca Join Canada’s longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting, new voice, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood’s heritage gardens.
East Coast Kitchen Party Aug 17 - 19
Near Cline River on Hwy 11, David Thompson Resort, AB davidthompsonresort.com Celtic fun in the heart of the Rockies.
Yukon River Side Art Festival GlobalFest Aug 16 - 25
Elliston Park (17 Ave & 60 St SE), Calgary globalfest.ca A friends and family-oriented multicultural affair, GlobalFest brings you cultural pavilions, food from around the world, performance stages, a night market, beer gardens, children’s activities, and more. Come and be mesmerized by 22-minute pyromusicals coming from Ukraine, Spain, Philippines, China, and Canada.
MEME Fest Aug 16 - 19
Multiple Venues, Winnipeg, MB memetic.ca A yearly electronic music and digital arts festival, featuring concerts, events, workshops, and a series of outdoor concerts located at The Cube in Winnipeg’s Old Market Square.
Aug 16 - 19
Dawson City, YK kiac.ca/artsfestival Annual Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture summer event that takes place on Dawson City’s Discovery Days weekend. The festival is primarily based outdoors in open-air tents along the Yukon River, but events also take place at numerous venues around town.
Edmonton Rock Festival
Bear Creek Folk Festival
Harvest Sun Music Fest
Aug 17 & 18
Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB edmontonrockfest.com For passionate music lovers holding on to the music they grew up with, this festival rocks the park.
Aug 17 - 19
Aug 17 - 19
Kelwood, MB theharvestsun.com Grass roots prairie music festival dedicated to showcasing Manitoban musicians, growers, and makers, and to supporting the agricultural community it calls home.
Grande Prairie, AB bearcreekfolkfest.org Four stages with 35 provincial, national, and international touring artists performing from a wide range of genres, including country, Celtic, blues, gospel, Americana, bluegrass, world music, contemporary and traditional folk, and rock.
Hazelton Hootenanny Aug 17 - 19
New Hazelton, BC hazeltonhops.com An intimate (max. 250 people) festival with an eclectic mix of workshops and live music, paired up with local craft beer with on-site camping on a 50-acre, solar-powered farm that specializes in hops, Shetland sheep, and llamas. Unique experience that combines entertainment with education about sustainable living and musician development.
Blackberry Street Party Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival Aug 16 - 19
Salmon Arm, BC rootsandblues.ca Among the largest and most musically diverse festivals in B.C., Roots & Blues provides an incredible sonic and visual sampler, and it’s a great place to come together with family and friends. Kids 12 and under are free. Come join in the excitement. Festival camping available.
Saskatoon Folkfest Aug 16 - 18
Saskatoon, SK saskatoonfolkfest.com
Aug 17
Powell River, BC powellriver.info An annual week-long tradition, this is a family-friendly festival with live music and visual artists, food and contests, ending in a huge street party on Friday that includes an amazing fireworks display.
Come By The Hills Music Festival Aug 17 & 18
Jazz At The Lake Festival
Mishtahiya, AB comebythehills.ca Nestled in the beautiful Battle River Valley in east-central Alberta. The Battle River Music Society will bring you a great line-
42 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Aug 17 - 19
Sylvan lake, AB jazzatthelake.com Amazing jazz musicians perform during
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 43
August this summer festival, continuing Sylvan Lake’s historic tradition of live music.
Nelson International Mural Festival Aug 17 - 19
Downtown Nelson, BC ndac.ca Take to the streets of downtown Nelson to celebrate the completion of a series of murals painted by local, national, and international artists. The weekend will feature artist talks, a street party, professional development and educational sessions, a community art project and more.
Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival Aug 17 - 19
Ness Creek, SK northernlightsbluegrass.ca Intimately immerse yourself, as an active participant, within a community of worldclass musicians. Learn from the musicians during the Music Camp week prior to the festival.
Ponderosa Arts & Music Festival Aug 17 - 19
Kettle River, Rock Creek, BC ponderosafestival.com Art, music, and freshness in Rock Creek at this boutique festival experience with picturesque riverside camping, two stages of stellar bands, artists, great food, vendors, and the chillest vibes.
Princeton Traditional Music Festival Aug 17 - 19
Princeton, BC princetontraditional.org This free festival takes place in the centre of Princeton, and includes a variety of concerts, workshops, panels and jams.
Rainbow Trout Music Festival Aug 17 - 19
Rosseau River, just south of St. Malo, MB rainbowtroutmusicfestival.com Three days of music, camping, good friends, bon-fires, dancing, swimming, and so much more. Rock, electro, hip-hop, blues, jazz, folk, garage, funk, reggae, and more.
Rock the River Aug 17 - 19
Delta Bessborough Gardens, Saskatoon, SK
rocktheriversaskatoon.ca Classic rock, rain or shine, on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.
heritage celebration with the former Arts on the Edge arts festival, creating an eight-day arts, and culture festival.
Rocky Mountain Folk Festival
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Aug 17 - 19
Aug 18
Lyons, CO bluegrass.com/folks A three-day, family-friendly event on the river with camping options. Nearby hiking and mountain biking trails.
Barkerville Historic Town, BC barkerville.ca This traditional Chinese celebration honours Barkerville’s Chinese heritage with activities all day, entertainment in the evening, a lantern parade at dusk, and fireworks.
Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival
NimbleFingers Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Workshop and Festival
Aug 17 - 19
Broadway Farm, near Nanton, AB foothillsbluegrass.com Hosted by the Foothills Bluegrass Music Society and presenting bluegrass music from B.C. to across the country and from the U.S.
Aug 19 - 31
Sorrento, BC nimblefingers.ca Bookended by two week-long workshops, the NimbleFingers Festival is on August 25th. A friendly and non-competitive environment for everyone with world-class instructors, intimate concerts, old-time dances, fantastic food, and loads of jamming.
Stony Plain Cowboy Festival Aug 17 - 19
Stony Plain, AB stonyplaincowboyfestival.com A legendary historical tribute to cowboy poetry, music, and art.
Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival Aug 22 - Sep 2
Victoria, BC intrepidtheatre.com Taking over downtown Victoria each summer for a 12-day celebration of live performances from around the world, featuring an eclectic mixture of spoken word, drama, musicals, dance, comedy, magic, theatre for young audiences, and more.
Arts Alive in the Park Aug 18 & 19
Powell River, BC powellriverartscouncil.ca Two days of summer fun. Established and emerging local artists exhibit and offer their work for sale. Plus dance, music, a poetry slam, and workshops for both kids and adults.
Motion Notion Music Festival Aug 23 - 27
Beaverfoot Lodge and Festival Grounds, Golden, BC motionnotion.com Electronic music festival with five artistic stages at a spectacular venue, as well as workshops and yoga.
Cumberland Wild Aug 18 & 19
Cumberland Village, BC cumberlandwild.com Gritty hometown festival with world class talent.
Summertime Blues
Kimberley Kaleidoscope Arts & Culture Festival
Aug 23 - 26
Nanaimo, BC nanaimobluesfestival.com Renowned international, national and regional artists held outdoors in a park on Nanaimo’s sparkling Blue Harbour. Nightly post-concert jam at The Queens included in admission.
Aug 18 - 25
Kimberley, BC kimberleyarts.com/home-basic/kimberley-kaleidoscope/ A series of visual, performing, and literary arts events that link the August First Saturday community arts, culture and
44 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
Calgary Pride Aug 24 - Sep 3
Calgary, AB calgarypride.ca Celebrating Calgary’s diverse and inclusive community through a variety of events throughout the week, including concerts, plays, parties, history walks, panel discussions, and the free signature Parade (9 Avenue) and Pride in the Park in Shaw Millennium Park event on Sept. 3 with a massive party.
Edmonton Blues Festival Aug 24 - 26
Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB bluesinternationalltd.com Blues hounds abound. Intimate and highquality blues acts from around the world converge annually.
Morden Corn & Apple Festival Aug 24 - 26
Morden, MB cornandapple.com The Morden Corn & Apple Festival is a family event that has a reputation for catering to all age groups with a variety of events to guarantee the enjoyment of all.
South Cariboo Garlic Festival Aug 25 & 26
Lac La Hache, BC garlicfestival.ca Garli, garlic eats and treats, spices, rubs, as well as plenty of other artisans and live entertainment.
Rogue Arts Festival Aug 24 - 26
Steveston Dragon Boat Festival
Clarke Farm, Sunshine Coast, BC roguefest.ca A three-day, outdoor festival including non-stop music, camping, visual and performance art, vendors, workshops, human foosball, maker’s corner, and much more.
Aug 25
Steveston Village at Britannia Heritage Shipyards, BC dragonboatbc.ca/home One of B.C.’s biggest dragon boat races and one of Richmond’s most popular community festivals. Live music, vibrant visual arts, entertainment, children’s activities, and culinary offerings.
Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival Aug 24 - 26
Waskesiu on the Lake, Prince Albert National Park, SK waskesiulake.ca/lakesidefestival.php Three days of music, aquatic activities, and family-friendly programming to the community of Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park.
Deep Cove Daze Community Arts Festival Aug 26
Panorama Park, North Vancouver, BC musart.ca Main stage with bands and entertainment,
A Fresh Mountain Experience
August 10 - 11 Fernie, B.C.
August 17 th & 18 th 2018
2-day WatERFRont Music FEstival WI NT E R S LEEP
Purchase your tickets on-line at
E LL IOT T B ROOD S H RE D KE L LY
invermeremusicfest.com Or call 250.342.4423
MY SON THE HURRICANE THE ROYAL FOUNDRY TWIN BANDIT YES WE MYSTIC
MusicFest Food & Refreshment Village Kids 12 & under FREE
ELK RUN & RIOT CARTER & THE CAPITALS LENNAN DELANEY & NATHAN BISHOP MACDONALD
Purchase passes at
Kinsmen Beach Green Space · Invermere, BC · info@columbiavalleyarts.com · 250-342-4423
wapitimusicfestival.com
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 45
August a kid’s stage, an artisan village, a midway of rides for kids, food fair, sponsor booths, and a beer garden.
Symphony Under The Sky Aug 30 - Sep 2
Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, AB edmontonsymphony.com Presenting four evenings of music, ranging from classical gems to Hollywood hits in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Bumbershoot Aug 31 - Sep 2
Seattle, WA bumbershoot.org Seattle’s music and arts festival, Bumbershoot takes place in the heart of the city at the 74-acre Seattle Center. Over 100,000 visitors from near and far experience everything from regional favourites to international superstars.
Whispering Willows Campground, Williams Lake, BC cariboosrockstock.com Cariboo’s Rockstock is devoted to people that love camping and thrive on live classic rock, hard rock, and metal. Also featuring country, rock, folk, blues and rockabilly.
spoken word, and creative workshops will be happening throughout Summerland. The Festival is inspired by author George Ryga, (1932-1987), who lived in Summerland, and whose most famous play, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, premiered in 1967, awakened a nation celebrating its centennial to the continuing tragedy of its Indigenous peoples.
Four Corners Folk Fest
Quadrapalooza
Cariboo’s Rockstock Festival Aug 31 - Sep 3
Aug 31 - Sep 2
Aug 31 - Sep 2
Quadra Island, BC quadrapalooza.com Quadra Island’s art and music festival features live music, painting, characters, puppets, juggling, dancing, crafts, clothes, vendors, food, refreshments, and games.
Pagosa Springs, CO folkwest.com FolkWest presents this annual familyfriendly outdoor music festival on two stages, pickin circles, music workshops, and free children’s programming. On-site camping, beer, food, and craft vendors.
Waynestock Aug 31 - Sep 3
Ryga Arts Festival
Wayne, AB visitlastchancesaloon.com/events/ waynestock2018/ Enjoy musical styles such as roots, rock, country, hillbilly, blues, bluegrass, and more!
Aug 31 - Sep 2
Summerland, BC rygafest.ca A long weekend full of concerts, theatre,
Curated Online Auctions for Art & Collectibles. Sign up to take part in our upcoming online auctions: May 2 - 13 June 27 - July 11 July 25 - August 11 Opening June 15:
Visit our new showroom & shop in the historic Cannery Trade Centre # 104 1475 Fairview Street, Penticton BC
fourth Meridian Online Shop Always Open
www.4thmeridian.ca 46 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
C U L T I V A T E
P E R F O R M I N G A R T S F E S T I VA L
GABRIOLA ISLAND
AUGUST 16 - 19
photo credit: shutterjet photography
C U LT I VAT E . A R T S G A B R I O L A . C A
VUEWEEKLY’s
coming may 31st
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 47
Sept Oct Sunshine Music Festival Sep 1 & 2
Palm Beach, Powell River, BC sunshinemusicfest.com Sunshine Music Festival is a celebration of music from across Canada and the world. Craft market, and vendors.
Vancouver Island Blues Bash Sep 1 - 3
Ship Point, Victoria, BC jazzvictoria.ca/blues-bash Featuring local, regional and international blues and R&B artists both free to the public, and paid admission performances, on the beautiful outdoor stage in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Ship Point Picnic Site.
Carving on the Edge Festival Sep 6 - 9
Shore Pier, Tofino, BC carvingedgefestival.com Annual celebration of the West Coast carver. The event showcases traditional
HeritagePostersandMusic.com COUNTRY BLUES
and contemporary West Coast wood carving with exhibits, forums, feasts, family programs, and demonstrations.
Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival Sep 7 - 9
Multiple venues, Penticton, BC pentasticjazz.com The Penticton Jazz Festival held at five venues around Penticton. Three days of world class jazz to entertain and excite music lovers of all ages. Free shuttle service between venues.
Swamp Fest Sep 6 - 8
Regina, SK swampfest.ca A community organized, multi-venue, independent music and arts initiative, showcasing alternative music and arts from across western Canada.
Serenity Music Harvest Festival Sep 7 - 9
Birch Island (just north of Clearwater), BC facebook.com/serenitymusicbc Great music in a great setting. If you are in the North Thompson Valley follow the yellow guitars. Free camping with ticket, but purchase early.
Vancouver International Fringe Festival Sep 6 - 16
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC vancouverfringe.com Celebration of theatre with more than 700 performances. Final night of awards are where the Pick of the Fringe is announced.
Sh’Bang Festival Sep 7 - 9
Bellingham, WA shbangfest.com A Festival of Ideas: Soapbox derby, live entertainment, art installations, and workshops.
Annual Cowboy and Drover Jubilee Sep 7 - 9
Barkerville HIstoric Town, BC www.barkerville.ca Celebrating B.C.’s rich cowboy heritage with three musical venues, poetry tent, singing competition and more.
Skookum Festival Sep 7 - 9
Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC skookumfestival.com A spirited, eclectic menu of authentic artists from the West Coast, plus excellent food and spectacular art.
POP
Jasper Folk Music Festival Sep 7 - 9 METAL
CLASSICAL
FOLK
JAZZ ROCK
Centennial Park, Jasper, AB jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca/ Promoting Canadian rocky culture through roots, rhythm, folk, and blues music at this three-day event bringing together an amazing backdrop with fantastic late summer sounds.
Circle Carnival Sep 8
Calgary, AB circlecarnival.com Travelling food, beer, and music carnival, 11 am to 11 pm.
Koksilah Festival
Lake Country ArtWalk
Sep 7 - 9
Like us on Facebook
1316 11 Ave SW Calgary, AB 403-802-1846
Sep 8 & 9
Providence Farm, Duncan, BC koksilahfestival.com Celebrating arts, community and resurgence in Quw’utsun Territory (Cowichan Bay).
Lake Country, BC artwalk-lc.ca/ ArtWalk is a highly successful annual arts festival that features the best in creative, orginal artworks, along with music, theatre, workshops, and special events. Let the colourful gates of ArtWalk lead you to the lastest in great art.
Ol’ Macdonalds music festival Sep 7 - 9
South shore of Buffalo Lake, AB olmacdonalds.com/festival Enjoy a weekend of fun and country music.
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Sept Oct Hills Garlic Festival Sep 9
Centennial Park, New Denver, BC hillsgarlicfest.ca Shop, eat, and enjoy live entertainment. A huge variety of harvest bounty, crafts, and food. Entertainment on the main stage and a family entertainment tent.
FozzyFest Sep 13 - 16
Lake Koocanusa, East Kootenays, BC fozzyfest.com Featuring both international and Canadian DJs, musicians, and artists in a gorgeous setting. Festival site is located 358 km southwest of Calgary, just west of Grasmere, B.C. on beautiful Lake Koocanusa.
Rifflandia Festival Sep 13 - 16
Victoria, BC rifflandia.com Transforming the city of Victoria and
performances on rooftops, sides of buildings, back alleys, parks, old spaces, and new spaces of 118 Avenue.
featuring a truly diverse line-up of artists across numerous stages, all within walking distance in the city’s beautiful and historic downtown core.
Rock Creek Fall Fair
Accordion Extravaganza
Sep 15 & 16
Sep 14 & 15
Rock Creek, BC rockcreekfallfair.ca One of the last “true” country fairs. Bring the whole family to our exhibition for a fun filled two-day experience.
St. John’s Cultural Centre, Edmonton, AB edmontonaccordion.com Kicking off with a family-friendly cabaret Friday night, see what local accordion talent is all about. Saturday morning features workshops and is followed by a free afternoon of open stage. Bring your accordion and book a slot or be part of the appreciative audience.
Salt Spring Island’s Annual Fall Fair Sep 15 & 16
Saltspring Island, BC ssifi.org/fall-fair Much loved by young and old, locals and tourists alike, the annual Fall Fair is Salt Spring Island’s oldest community event.
Kaleido Family Arts Festival Sep 14 - 16
Edmonton, AB kaleidofest.ca Alberta Avenue comes alive with a free arts festival where artists collide in an environment of creative exploration and
50 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
RiverFest Sep 18 - 22
Fraser River Discovery Centre, New
Westminster, BC fraserriverdiscovery.org/ Celebrating B.C. and World Rivers Day in New Westminster overlooking the mighty Fraser River.
Fungi Festival Sep 20 - 23
Sicamous, BC fungifestival.com Participants enjoy identifying and picking wild mushrooms, watching evening presentations, attending workshops—music, and food too.
Kootenay Book Weekend Sep 21 - 23
Nelson, BC kootenaybookweekend.ca Come together to talk about books, and to share a love of reading. Discussions, author talks, and more. Book list and guest authors on website.
Okanagan Vinyl Fest Presented by Peach City Radio Sep 23
Seniors Drop-In Centre, Penticton, BC peachcityradio.org/events/okvf/index.php Amazing finds at this South Okanagan record show. Over 30 vendors from western Canada selling new and used vinyl, CDs, and hi-fi equipment. You’ll also find music memorabilia, DJs, food vendors, a listening lounge, and more!
Edmonton International Film Festival Sep 27 - Oct 6
Edmonton, AB edmontonfilmfest.com A buffet of the best new indie filmmaking from around the globe. Schedule includes 55 feature-length slots, and 100+ short films programmed into featurelength packages.
Wicked Woods Music Festival Sep 27 - 30
Fairmont Hot Springs, Kimberley, BC wickedwoodsmusicfestival.com A magical two-night event to end off the festival season. A weekend filled with wicked beats, wicked vibes and wicked friends.
BC Culture Days Sep 28 - 30
50+ communities across BC BC.CultureDays.ca Through an annual three-day national celebration each September, hundreds of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in hundreds of cities and towns come together and invite Canadians to participate in free, interactive, and “behind the scenes” activities exploring the world of artists, creators, heritage experts, architects, curators, designers, and other creative professionals in their communities.
ART OF OUR TIMES:
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ARTWALK THE OKANAGAN’S LARGEST ART SHOW paintings • fibre art • photography • sculpture performances • special events • artist demos live music • children’s activities • and so much more!
Sept. 8 & 9, 2018
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days
Admission only a toonie! Lake Country Community Complex 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road Lake Country, BC
Event info at lakecountryartwalk.ca
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 51
Sept Oct Culture Days Sep 28 - 30
most communities across Canada culturedays.ca/en Through an annual, three-day national celebration each September, hundreds of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in hundreds of cities and towns come together and invite Canadians to participate in free interactive activities to discover their cultural spirit and passion.
Queen of the Peak Sep 28 - 30
Tofino, BC queenofthepeak.com All women’s surf championship. Competition and parties.
Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance Sep 29
Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC
50 B.C. wineries, dance to the music played on the main stage, and either compete in or watch competitors in the Grape Stomp. Merchant market and food trucks, too.
mbfestival.ca Massey Theatre will be transformed into an ethereal courtyard, immersing audiences into the timeless and ancient forms of Indian classical music and dance. A tribute to the late Ghazal Queen Mushtari Begum.
Salt Spring Island Apple Fest Sep 30
Oliver Cask & Keg
Salt Spring Island, BC saltspringapplefestival.org Little community event celebrating a lot of apples (and food) of Salt Spring Island and connecting you with the farms and farmers that produce this very special diversity of tasty, healthy food.
Sep 29
Oliver Community Park, Oliver, BC olivercaskandkeg.ca Celebrating the emerging craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries of B.C. with an evening of fun at Oliver Community Park. Live music with dancing, fire barrels, and games while sampling from over a dozen local cideries, micro-breweries, and craft distilleries.
Sechelt Arts Festival Oct 5 - 22
Sechelt, BC www.secheltartsfestival.com/ Professionally produced ten-day event with myriad workshops, performances, and presentation opportunities, embracing arts and culture through dance, music, theatre, spoken word, visual art, multimedia, and heritage events.
Festival of the Grape Sep 30
Oliver Community Park, Oliver, BC oliverfestivalofthegrape.ca Taste the cornucopia of wines from over
BreakOut West Festival Oct 10 - 14
Kelowna, BC breakoutwest.ca This year’s event will be hosted by Kelowna. Open to residents of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories.
Litfest Oct 11 - 21
Edmonton, AB www.litfestalberta.com/ Edmonton’s Non-Fiction Festival brings together some of the best-selling, award-winning and emerging authors of books, magazines and films through a series of events and gatherings with more than 50 performers.
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival Oct 17 - 21
Toronto, ON www.imaginenative.org An international festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples on
52 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio, and new media.
Oct 27 - Nov 4
Sunshine Coast Art Crawl Oct 19 - 21
Sunshine Coast, BC www.sunshinecoastartcrawl.com/ The Art Crawl offered Crawlers access to over 100 participating galleries and art studios, representing over 275 artists along the entire Sunshine Coast Highway from Langdale to Earls Cove or Earls Cove to Langdale.
BC Beer Awards & Festival Oct 20
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
Croatian Cultural Centre, Vancouver, BC bcbeerawards.com/ The signature consumer tasting event of BC Craft Beer Month, this festival celebrates the very best in craft brewing from across the province.
Banff, AB www.banfflakelouise.com/banff-mountain-film-and-book-festival Showcases the films and stories of adventurers from around the world, focusing on adventure sports, mountain culture, and the environment.
Canadian Festival of Spoken Word Oct 29 - Nov 3
Guelph, ON cfsw.ca/ A national showcase for spoken word talent, includes an array of panels, showcases, workshops and other events designed to facilitate the growth and vibrancy of the Canadian spoken word and poetic communities.
60+ Bands 10 Venues
3 Nights of Music from Western Canada and Beyond! SEE YOU IN KELOWNA!
OCTOBER 10–14, 2018 BREAKOUTWEST.CA
This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.
VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018 53
reviews
Can’t Wake Up (Releases May 4) Shakey Graves Dualtone Records Alejandro Rose-Garcia a.k.a. Shakey Graves has always been the kind of musician to absorb any sort of inspiration or genre and apply it to his own work. He’s the kind of guy you see at heavy metal shows even though he’s known as the “Gentleman from Texas,” with his own unique representation of blues/Americana. He once told me one
It’s A New Day Tonight (Releases May 18) Michael Rault Sleepless Records Mimicking a genre and working seamlessly within it are two sides of the same coin, with the caveat that
of his favourite live acts was A Place to Bury Strangers, a noise rock band that mixes synth and wall-of-sound postpunk vibrations. Seriously, Shakey’s inspirations are all across a bizarre, rugged map, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that he went for a completely different sound for his latest album Can’t Wake Up. This is easily Shakey Graves’ most radiofriendly album to date, which could be considereda good thing—depending on how and why you listen to his records. It’s interesting, considering this album utilizes an array of supplementary instrumentation from the organ, synth (which is unheard of for some Shakey Graves fans), harp, a string section, and sparse electronic drums. The album opens with a jangly, delayed, indie-guitar lead on “Counting Sheep,” until it explodes into a soft-rock chorus. The guitar melody echos on a later song called “Mansion Door.” Fans looking for the same consistent, raw Americana blues-rock tenacity that was present on And The War Came won’t find it on Can’t Wake Up. Instead, they all get hints of it on songs like “Dining Alone,” and “Excuses,” which both contain Shakey’s classic, dissonant
fingerpicking, and slide guitar. It seems like as a whole, Shakey opted for more musical experimentation (especially with his vocals), rather than a re-work of his well-established sound. He honestly could have released And The War Came part two and it would have been well-celebrated. But he’s his own musician, so you have to at least respect his decision to switch things up. Still, some fans may feel a little betrayed when they hear a song like “My Neighbor,” a poppy, bass-led, and wispy tune that has Shakey playing with vocals tricks. For me, the song falls apart during the chorus, which has an incessant “la la la la la.” This is remedied, however, with the closing song “Back Seat Driver,” which subtly employs all of the classic Shakey guitar tricks. The closing tune “Tin Man,” is also a charming, acoustic tongueand-cheek track inspired by The Wizard of Oz. Compared to his previous work, this is a very poppy album for Shakey Graves. He may turn the heads of some new and old fans with Can’t Wake Up, but it will take me a few more listens until I’m convinced. Stephan Boissonneault
one side shows a butt, while the other shows some kind of awesome sailboat or whatever. Edmonton-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Michael Rault’s latest release It’s A New Day Tonight sits firmly on the boat side of that coin. The release’s 10 tracks all bear names like “Dream Song,” and “When the Sun Shines,” monickers heavily reminiscent of old Beatles tracks, and most of the album musically harkens back to this era (1960s-70s). But the distinction between a modern band playing music influenced by the oldies, and a band (or musician), playing oldies is almost a matter of illusion. If a listener, who has no knowledge they’re listening to a modern song, could mistake that song for something that came out decades ago, the song is not simply an homage. It’s part of that music’s canon, though released more than 40 years later. This album does just that. It’s A New Day Tonight bears no lyrical markers to place it in the 2010s, and its mellow guitar—which has just the right
amount of psychedelic distortion—makes it feel at home with the Beatles work of the late 1960s. Other brief comparisons: Rault’s vocals occasionally veer into Davy Jones (of the Monkees) territory, and the album’s title track grows an Electric Light Orchestra-like quality as further distortion and a small section of string instruments flare throughout its progression. Raults voice fits incredibly well in this era of music, and he’s made a career of its high, yet soft, notes. Its this voice that comes to the forefront of each track on the album, working in clever, but decidedly dominant, tandem with the downplayed, but also deftly-wrought, instrumentals. Much has been said about this aged genre, but Rault found a way to make the tracks vary enough from one another in this well-established field that the whole thing feels fresh. Even in Rault’s body of work, It’s A New Day Tonight stands apart for its relaxed, somewhat dazed quality—and, to date, it stands as one of his best works. Doug Johnson
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Violent Psalms (Releases May 18) Frog Eyes Paper Bay Records A new Frog Eyes album would typically fill this reviewer with giddiness, but the press release that came with Violent
Psalms had the words “last album ever” scrawled within. An outlier within the Canadian music scene, Frog Eyes has stayed true to their art for 17 years. We listened to them grow musically over the course of nine full-length records and two EPs. We felt the pain of love, loss, and struggle as Carey Mercer offered up personal details of his life through his cryptic musings. When a band has such a lengthy tenure, each release becomes a time capsule for the members that created it. That sentiment extends beyond the band as each record has the ability to take fans back to significant moments in their own lives. Unbeknownst to Frog Eyes, we shared our own love, loss, and struggles with them through their previous outings and this new album will be no different. The core duo of Carey Mercer and Melanie Campbell wanted to capture the sound of a debut with no expectations of ever being heard.
They forced themselves into a creative cave beginning with guitar and drums, meticulously recording each kick, tom, and snare to perfection. Terri Upton added bass to the mix while Shyla Seller’s synths were layered in to create luscious texture to the band’s final ten tracks. Like on every previous Frog Eyes release, Carey Mercer’s voice is the album’s most vital asset. The word idiosyncratic is synonymous with his style, but I urge everyone to quell the desire to describe his voice in this way. Perhaps the only peculiar thing about Mercer’s voice is his ability to soak each word with emotion and imprint those raw feelings into the listener. His voice makes hairs stand upright, goosebumps emerge, and the spine tingle. Although the end of Frog Eyes fills many with a deep sorrow, we must consider ourselves blessed that they gave us one last triumph to add to our collections. Jeff MacCallum
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reviews
Tell Me How You Really Feel Courtney Barnett Mom + Pop Records
Gentle Leader (Releases May 25) Peach Kelli Pop Mint Records
When Courtney Barnett released her fulllength debut Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit in 2015, worldwide listeners became infatuated with her clever, deadpan lyrics and reverb-soaked guitar hooks. The album reached international acclaim and suddenly, everybody began paying attention to the spunky Australian who sounded like she had something to prove—even though she didn’t. Her newest collection of 10 songs Tell Me How You Really Feel is in the same vein as its predecessor, ripe with interpersonal stories and emotions Barnett chooses to share with her audience. The opening track “Hopefulessness” begins with a downtuned riff that almost echoes Nirvana’s “School.” The song slowly burns as Barnett classically sings about the things that cling to her shoulders—self-doubt and cheeky, existential dread. The second track “City Looks Pretty,” is much more upbeat, with a perfect example of Barnett’s laissez-faire vocal style meshed with a jumpy chord progression. The outro surprises you with a slower, bluesy, psych rock progression that easily transitions into a groovy tremolo guitar lead. Looks like
Barnett took a few inspirations from “The Creature,” known as Kurt Vile, while they worked on their collaborative album Lotta Sea Lice. Another stand-out track is “Need A Little Time,” which builds and builds until a grungy and fuzz-ringing crescendo. Then comes “Nameless, Faceless,” a track that utilizes all of Barnett’s habits—a minor keyed, but fidgety chord progression, coupled with brilliant, sardonic lyrics. For this particular track she flip-flops between singing one of Margaret Atwood’s well-known quotes: “Men are afraid women will laugh at them / Women are afraid that men will kill them,” in her own mellow style. Barnett is making a statement here, but she’s not shouting it. She does shout however, in the angsty, Black Flag-esque “I’m Not Your Mother, I’m Not Your Bitch.” All in all, every song on Tell Me How You Really Feel has its own pleasing, sonic kernel. The ending track “Sunday Roast”—with it’s soft, watery guitar—is the perfect way to end the incisive album. I envision Barnett’s latest being one the summer’s highest played, which is all you can really hope for. Stephan Boissonneault
Canadian/American punk outfit Peach Kelli Pop’s fourth album takes the worst parts of Sleigh Bells, early Tegan and Sarah, and 1990s alt-rock, throws in some lo-fidelity and saccharine lyricism, and forms an incredibly tender and enjoyable album. Gentle Leader is a departure for the band in that it is a collaborative effort between the band’s founder and sole member Allie Hanlon and other staff members who produced it. This yields a more relaxed musical atmosphere with layered vocals and a power pop designation that stand in contrast to the band’s previous releases, which were more purely punk. Early Tegan and Sarah, at the band’s worst (which is still pretty good), was cloying and duet-based, something that comes through on Gentle Leader, whose lyrics and vocals hit some distinctively high school levels of sentimentality. Sleigh Bells, at its worst, sounds like an angry cheerleader routine set to guitars getting smashed by a mallet. While the noise-rock elements on Gentle Leader are
certainly downplayed, Peach Kelli Pop’s lyricism can get a little chanty. Guitar riffs and hooks from alt-rock tend to be lazy— in the way that getting pizza delivered after a night of heavy drinking is lazy— and kind of fuzzy (see above), and Gentle Leader uses a lot of them. Taken apart: none of these elements should work, but in tandem they create something that is at once messy and clean, passionate yet distant, sloppy yet precise. The downside of this, though, is that Gentle Leader seems to be a chimera of disparate, yet linked, musical styles and techniques—not wholly original, but a novel enough result of picking and choosing that something cool comes out of it anyway. The release is cool, though. Equally at home on the beach and in a dingy apartment littered with beer cans, Gentle Leader’s new approach to old tropes, and its quality vocals and instrumentation all combine to create a versatile and interesting listen. Doug Johnson
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The Sciences Sleep Third Man Nobody really suspected that Sleep, the American doom rock stoner titans would ever release another album after 1998’s Dopesmoker, but in November 2017, the band teased a new release in Morse code on their various social media. And of course, they released it on 4/20 of this year. The Sciences is a new collection of gargantuan riffs, war-like drum beats, and stoned incantations from the guys who have claimed to spend $80,000 on amp equipment for the heaviest guitar sounds possible. For the last decade, Sleep has primarily been a live act at the behest of their fans to play the hour long “Dopesmoker.” And since then, in subsequent years, members have started new bands like OM, and High on Fire. Sleep are also one of the main inspirations for the genre “stoner rock,” which was adopted by bands like Kyuss who, later on, became the foundation for the early Queens of the Stone Age. So with this stoner mythology tied to Sleep, when The Sciences dropped, fans packed a bowl and lost their collective minds. The album’s opening and title track begins like many Sleep live shows where guitarist Matt Pike messes with a heavilyfeedbacked guitar throwing on various effects. This introduction lasts for three minutes before transitioning into the cleverly-named “Marijuanaut’s Theme,” a song that begins with a bong rip and quickly grasps onto a common power chord slide progression. Al Cisneros’ vocals kick in with cheeky lyrics like “Inhaler of the riff tree/never to return,” but in the same laid-back chants, he became known for on “Dopesmoker” and later used in his work with OM. He has a way of sounding like he’s reading from a dusty tome, encapsulated in a nebulous cloud of certainly and, well, dope smoke. “Antarcticans Thawed,” almost sounds like the stoner metal group Weedeater with Cisneros yelling most of his vocals in intensified growls. “Giza Butler,” has the crunchy minor-keyed, Eastern-inspired riffs to perfectly accompany Cisneros’ ode to the bong. The Sciences shouldn’t disappoint Sleep fans. The trio has honed their craft, smoked a metric ton of weed and continues to praise the reefer queen. Stephan Boissonneault
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reviews
American Utopia David Byrne Nonesuch Records Inc.
On his first album in 14 years, David Byrne—the iconic frontman for the now defunct new wave group Talking Heads—paints a speculative picture of America. Well, what he believes to be America. Byrne’s America is a contradiction—full of chaos, irony, warning signs, houses, and dogs. Byrne has never been the kind of guy to stick with song convention. He made this album after hearing some electronic drum tracks his friend and producer Brian Eno was toying with. Byrne then added some instrumentation, vocals, and called it a day. He’s not out to make a platinum pop record. He’s 65-years-old, still has something to say, and doesn’t give a shit if you disagree with him. Just listen to American Utopia’s fourth track “Dog’s Mind,” which sounds like it will turn into one of Roger Water’s politically-charged ballads, but descends into an outlandish lo-fi synth chant about humans actually
being dogs. It’s refreshing, considering everyone and their dog is rushing to make a record about President Trump. “It’s Not Dark Up Here,” has some classic Byrne lyrics like “the Baptist church is a high school, my hairdresser gives me the news.” On paper, they mean nothing—just half-baked ideas or thoughts Byrne thought could fit into a song. “Everybody’s Coming To My House,” is the most radio-friendly track on the new record. Beginning with a slightly off time synth emulating a bass clarinet, the track explodes into a chorus that resembles something found on an acid jazz record. While the songs on this record all contradict each other lyrically and musically, that’s kind of the point. Byrne has made something that can never be replicated. He’s past recreating songs like “Psycho Killer” or “Girlfriend Is Better.” Stephan Boissonneault
Echos Joshua Hyslop Nettwerk Records Saskatoon-born, Vancouver-based folk singer-songwriter Joshua Hyslop returns with the release of his 2018 record Echos —his third full-length studio album. Keeping consistent with his earlier albums, the music is a light and mellow acoustic gem, transporting the listener into a dreamy, relaxing world. Hyslop’s vocals throughout the album are serene and calming, hardly ever growing louder than a normal speaking voice while he picks and strums away mellow progressions on the guitar. It’s nothing too groundbreaking or complex, but offers a selection of solid heartfelt songs to sway back and forth to. “How You’ve Been” is the one song that breaks this pattern, however. In it, he instead opts for a more old-school country twang with finger picking and a rolling, spacey background swell. It’s the song that has the most energy on the album. Echos is an extremely laid-back and easy listening album as background noise, or if you’re just looking to take a load off and chill out to some soft tunes. Alexander Sorochan
Expanding Program The Avulsions Flemish Eye The Avulsions have been impressing audiences in western Canada for a couple years now. Even without a proper release, bone-chilling live shows have kept them on the top of many people’s mustsee list. A growing reputation has made their debut Expanding Program one of the most anticipated Canadian albums for over a year, and finally the wait is over. Expanding Program is everything we could have wanted from this Saskatoon band. Their unique gothic brand of post-punk fits the apocalyptic theme of the album perfectly. Guitar pierces your soul as nightmarish synths linger over a macabre, slow percussion. One of the album’s best flourishes is the industrial sounds created to help paint a picture of a world gone awry. When a release is so hyped, it can be difficult to live up to expectations, but The Avulsions have shown us that sometimes the hype can be met—even surpassed. Jeff MacCallum
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To The Trees To The Trees Independent
There’s a quote from Star Trek The Next Generation: “It is possible to commit no errors, and still lose. That is not a weakness. It is life.” This perfectly encapsulates the self-titled debut EP of Waterloo-based band To The Trees. There’s nothing wrong with the album, in the way that there’s nothing wrong with tables. The mixing is fine. The vocals, likewise, fine. The melodies are as proficient as the chord progression, which is to say they’re both, yes, fine. At their best, debut albums are raw, perhaps overly emotional, the sounds of growing pains that a band makes as it gets on its feet. To The Trees, though, seems to have spontaneously popped into existence midcareer, when it’s settled, mature and—in this case at least—boring. The release is mellow, which is one of the few things that can be said in its absolute defence, but sits in a weird grey zone in
the world of indi-synth pop/rock. It’s not too mellow, not too energetic, not too anything, really; it just is—like a Zen koan that asks if an indie band can’t muster up the smallest bit of originality, can it really claim to be an indie band? Part of this may come down to producer Chris Stringer, who has worked with established acts like Broken Social Scene, Tokyo Police Club and the Arkells, all veterans—relatively speaking—that occupy distinct areas in the broad spectrum of independent, hipster music. To The Trees has a foundation, though, and an obvious though dramatically underused talent. The vocals are nice, and the four-piece knows how to write a song proficiently enough. On future releases, they would do well to explore this talent beyond the toothless and quasi-ambient slice of indie of the indie pie they’ve chosen. Doug Johnson
Tearing at the Seams Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Stax
to get you moving. From there, the album progresses through song after song of similar, but never boring, old school grooves. The standout track on the record, however, has to be the single “You Worry Me.” The song has a moodier, more introspective feel than the rest of the album, while not seeming out of place. Featured on two of the songs, “Babe I Know” and “Coolin’ Out,” is indie-pop band Lucius. Anyone who’s ever seen Lucius might think their music wouldn’t mix, but their vocals compliment each other amazingly. Overall, Tearing at the Seams is a great album to listen to in anticipation for the warmer weather. Alexander Sorochan
It’s been three years since Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats released their first studio album, which brought the hit song “S.O.B.” Now they’re back, and groovier than ever, with Tearing at the Seams—their first full-length studio album since Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats in 2015. The 14-track album has an infectiously groovy funk and soul vibe, reminiscent of the early 1970s. Opening the album is “Shoe Boot,” a mostly instrumental jam full of bass and organ fills that are sure
North Jonathan Kawchuk Paper Bag Jonathan Kawchuk is primarily known as a sound technician, film score composer, and sound designer. His resume includes working on Ben Frost and Nico Muhly albums and being an assistant sound tech for the Philip Glass Ensemble. With such heady experience, it could be safe to say that expectations were high for his debut album, North. Kawchuk doesn’t disappoint as he uses the tools in his toolbelt to craft an impeccable album inspired by nature. With piano as the
backbone, he composes soothing music that whisks the listener into his tranquil world. Strings and electronic drones accompany the keys throughout most of the songs with some rare percussion to amplify the mood and incomprehensible whispers on the final track, “Lagos.” Taking the nature theme to the next level, North was played back and re-recorded in a Norwegian forest to capture the ambient resonance of the wilderness from which Kawchuk drew his inspiration. The result is an expertly crafted piece that transports you into his world of leaf-less trees, rustling in the wind of a snowy dream world. Jeff MacCallum
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INDEX 8th Annual Retro Concert Weekend Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 1913 Days Jun 15 - 17 • Pg. 22 Aboriginal Gathering and Peace River Pow Wow Jun 2 & 3 • Pg. 20 Accordion Extravaganza Sep 14 & 15 • Pg. 50 Adäka Cultural Festival Jun 29 - Jul 5 • Pg. 25 Adstock Jun 17 • Pg. 22 All Folk’d Up in Montmartre Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 26 Alpine Blossom Festival Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 35 Annual Beaumont Blues & Roots Festival Jun 15 - 17 • Pg. 22 Annual Cowboy and Drover Jubilee Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Armstrong Metal Fest Jul 13 - 14 • Pg. 28 Arts Alive in the Park Aug 18 & 19 • Pg. 44 Arts on the Fly Jul 13 - 14 • Pg. 28 ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art Aug 3 - 6 • Pg. 38 Arts Without Borders Jun 18 - 23 • Pg. 22 Astral Harvest Music & Arts Festival Jul 13 - 16 • Pg. 28 Atlin Arts & Music Festival Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 26 Bandfest Jun 2 & 3 • Pg. 20 Banff Iniskim Powwow Jun 29 - 30 • Pg. 25 Barkerville Historic Town May 18 - 30 • Pg. 16 Attack of Danger Bay-Longboard Race May 17 - 23 • Pg. 16 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival Oct 27 - Nov 4 • Pg. 53 Bard on the Beach Jun 6 - Sep 22 • Pg. 20 Barkerville Aboriginal Celebration Jul 14 • Pg. 29 Barkerville Stage, Artwells Festival Aug 3 - 6 • Pg. 38 Bass Coast Summer Festival Jul 6 - 9 • Pg. 26 BC Beer Awards & Festival Oct 20 • Pg. 53 BC Culture Days Sep 28 - 30 • Pg. 51 BC SwingCamp Aug 12 - 18 • Pg. 41 Bear Creek Folk Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42
CASCADIA Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 34 Castlegar Sunfest Jun 1 - 3 • Pg. 20 Cathedral Village Arts Festival May 21 - 26 • Pg. 16 Chemainus Bluegrass Festival Jul 14 • Pg. 29 Chemainus Blues Festival Jul 7 • Pg. 27 Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship Jun 7 - 10 • Pg. 20 Christina Lake Homecoming Summerfest Jul 13 - 14 • Pg. 28 Circle Carnival Sep 8 • Pg. 48 City of Bhangra Festival Jun 14 - 17 • Pg. 22 Columbia Basin Culture Tour Aug 11 & 12 • Pg. 41 Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 34 Come By The Hills Music Festival Aug 17 & 18 • Pg. 42 Comox Nautical Days Aug 4 - 6 • Pg. 39 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival Jun 22 - 24 • Pg. 23 Coombs Bluegrass Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 38 Cortes Days Jul 21 • Pg. 34 Cottonwood Community Market Stage May 19 - 13 • Pg. 16 Country at the Creek Jun 21 - 23 • Pg. 23 Country Thunder Jul 12 - 15 • Pg. 28 Country Thunder Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42 Cultivate Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 42 Culture Days Sep 28 - 30 • Pg. 52 Cumberland Wild Aug 18 & 19 • Pg. 44 Curiosity Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2 • Pg. 25 Darrington Bluegrass Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Dauphins Countryfest Jun 28 - Jul 1 • Pg. 25 Dawson City Music Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Deep Cove Daze Community Arts Festival Aug 26 • Pg. 45 Desert Daze Festival Aug 10 & 11 • Pg. 40 Doe Bay Fest Aug 1 - 6 • Pg. 38
Bear Creek Folk Festival Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 41 Beer at the Lake - Great Okanagan Beer Festival May 10 - 12 • Pg. 16 Bella Coola Music Festival Jul 21 - 22 • Pg. 34 Big Valley Jamboree Aug 2 - 5 • Pg. 38 Billy Barker Days Jul 19 - 22 • Pg. 30 Blackberry Street Party Aug 17 • Pg. 42 Blessed Coast Jul 27 - 30 • Pg. 35 Blueberry Bluegrass Country Music Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 38 BreakOut West Festival Oct 10 - 14 • Pg. 52 Brentwood Bay Festival Jun 1 & 2 • Pg. 20 Bumbershoot Aug 31 - Sep 2 • Pg. 46 Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival Aug 11 • Pg. 41 Burn in the Fraser Jul 12 - 15 • Pg. 28 Calaway Comic Fest for Kids Jul 13 - 15 • Pg. 28 Calgary Folk Music Festival Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 34 Calgary International Blues Festival Jul 30 - Aug 5 • Pg. 37 Calgary International Children’s Festival May 23 - 26 • Pg. 16 Calgary Pride Aug 24 - Sep 3 • Pg. 45 Calgary Stampede Jul 6 - 15 • Pg. 27 Calgary Turkish Festival Jul 19 - 22 • Pg. 30 Campbell Bay Music Festival Jun 22 - 24 • Pg. 23 Campbell River Salmon Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word Oct 29 - Nov 3 • Pg. 53 Canmore Folk Music Festival Aug 4 - 6 • Pg. 39 CannaFest Aug 9 - 11 • Pg. 40 Car Free YYJ Jun 17 • Pg. 22 Caribbean Days Festival North Vancouver Jul 28 & 29 • Pg. 36 Cariboo’s Rockstock Festival Aug 31 - Sep 3 • Pg. 46 Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Carving on the Edge Festival Sep 6 - 9 • Pg. 48
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Dog Patch Music Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Downtown Kelowna Block Party Jul 21 • Pg. 34 Downtown Live - Salmon Arm Jul 5 - Aug 25 • Pg. 26 DOXA Documentary Film Festival May 3 - 15 • Pg. 16 East Coast Kitchen Party Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42 East Coulee Springfest May 4 & 5 • Pg. 16 Edge of the World Music Festival on Haida Gwaii Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Edmonton Blues Festival Aug 24 - 26 • Pg. 45 Edmonton Folk Music Festival Aug 9 - 12 • Pg. 40 Edmonton Heritage Festival Aug 4 - 6 • Pg. 39 Edmonton International Film Festival Sep 27 - Oct 6 • Pg. 51 Edmonton International Fringe Festival Aug 16 - 26 • Pg. 42 Edmonton International Street Performers Festival Jul 10 - 15 • Pg. 28 Edmonton Rock Festival Aug 17 & 18 • Pg. 42 Electric Love Music Festival Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 35 Electric Sky Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Element Music Festival Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 35 Elephant Mountain Literary Festival Jul 12 - 15 • Pg. 28 Elevate Arts Festival Jun 2 & 3 • Pg. 20 Enderby Arts Festival Jul 28 • Pg. 37 European Festival May 26 - 27 • Pg. 18 FernFest Jun 22 & 23 • Pg. 23 Festival of the Grape Sep 30 • Pg. 52 Fiestaval Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Filberg Festival Aug 3 - 6 • Pg. 39 Fire & Water Music Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Flowmotion Summer Meltdown Aug 2 - 5 • Pg. 38 Folklorama Aug 5 - 18 • Pg. 40 Folk on the Rocks Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Four Corners Folk Fest Aug 31 - Sep 2 • Pg. 46
FozzyFest Sep 13 - 16 • Pg. 50 Freewill Shakespeare Festival Jun 19 - Jul 15 • Pg. 23 Freezer Burn Jun 21 - 25 • Pg. 23 Fungi Festival Sep 20 - 23 • Pg. 51 Funtastic Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2 • Pg. 25 FVDED in the Park Jul 6 - 7 • Pg. 27 Gateway Fest Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Giants Head Freeride-LongBoard Race Jun 25 - 27 • Pg. 25 Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival Jun 15 - 17 • Pg. 22 Gibsons Sea Cavalcade Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 GlobalFest Aug 16 - 25 • Pg. 42 Golden Sound Festival Jul 27 & 28 • Pg. 36 Greek Day on Broadway Jun 24 • Pg. 24 Greenwood Founders’ Day Jul 14 - 15 • Pg. 29 Grizfest Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Harmony Arts Festival Aug 3 - 12 • Pg. 39 Harrison Festival of the Arts Jul 6 - 15 • Pg. 27 Harvest Sun Music Fest Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42 Hazelton Hootenanny Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42 Heart of the City Festival Edmonton Jun 2 & 3 • Pg. 20 High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival Jul 12 - 15 • Pg. 28 Hills Garlic Festival Sep 9 • Pg. 50 Hootstock Festival of Music, Dance and Spoken Word Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Hornby Festival Aug 2 - 11 • Pg. 38 Ignite Youth-Driven Arts Festival May 15 - 19 • Pg. 16 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival Oct 17 - 21 • Pg. 52 Improvaganza June 13 - 23 • Pg. 21 Indian Summer Jul 5 - 14 • Pg. 26 International Children’s Festival of the Arts May 29 - June 3 • Pg. 18 International Choral Kathaumixw Jul 3 - 7 • Pg. 26
Interstellar Rodeo Edmonton Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Islands Folk Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Jasper Folk Music Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Jaywalker’s Jamboree Jun 1 - 3 • Pg. 20 Jazz At The Lake Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 42 John Arcand Fiddle Fest Aug 9 - 12 • Pg. 40 Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts May 25 - 28 • Pg. 17 Kaleido Family Arts Festival Sep 14 - 16 • Pg. 50 Kamloopa Powwow Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Kamloops International Buskers Festival Jul 26 - 29 • Pg. 35 Kamp Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2 • Pg. 25 Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Kaslo May Days May 19 - 21 • Pg. 16 K Days Jul 20 - 29 • Pg. 30 Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival Jul 7 • Pg. 27 Kimberley JulyFest Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Kimberley Kaleidoscope Arts & Culture Festival Aug 18 - 25 • Pg. 44 Kimberley Medieval Festival Jul 14 - 15 • Pg. 30 Kispiox Valley Music Festival Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 20 Koksilah Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Kootenay Book Weekend Sep 21 - 23 • Pg. 51 Kootenay Country Music Festival Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 27 Kootenay Festival Jul 28 • Pg. 37 La Conner Guitar Festival May 11 - 13 • Pg. 16 Lake Country ArtWalk Sep 8 & 9 • Pg. 48 Laketown Rock Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 1 • Pg. 25 Lightning in a Bottle May 23 - 28 • Pg. 17 Litfest Oct 11 - 21 • Pg. 52 Live In Lake Country Jul 1 - Aug 25 • Pg. 26
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INDEX Long Day’s Night Festival Jun 21 - 24 • Pg. 23 Lumby Days Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Lund Shellfish Festival May 25 and 26 • Pg. 17 Magnificent River Rats Festival Jun 30 - Jul 1 • Pg. 25 Manito Ahbee Festival May 16 - 20 • Pg. 16 Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival Aug 4 & 5 • Pg. 39 Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Country Fest Jul 28 & 29 • Pg. 37 MarketFest Jul 27 & Aug 31 • Pg. 36 Medicine Hat Jazz Fest Jun 17 - 24 • Pg. 22 MEME Fest Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 42 Metalocalypstick Fest Jun 29 - Jul 2 • Pg. 25 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Aug 18 • Pg. 44 Midnight Sun Festival Jun 24 • Pg. 24 Miners Memorial Weekend Jun 22 - 24 • Pg. 24 Mission Arts Council Children’s Festival Jun 10 • Pg. 21 Mission Folk Music Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Monster Energy Center of Gravity Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Morden Corn & Apple Festival Aug 24 - 26 • Pg. 45 Motion Notion Music Festival Aug 23 - 27 • Pg. 44 Mountain Mosaic Festival of the Arts Jul 1 • Pg. 26 Mt Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival Aug 3 - 5 • Pg. 39 Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance Sep 29 • Pg. 52 Music By The Sea Jul 21 - 29 • Pg. 34 Music on the Mountain Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Music Waste Festival Jun 7 - 10 • Pg. 20 Nelson ArtWalk Jun 29 - Jul 27 - Sep 7 • Pg. 25 Nelson International Mural Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Ness Creek Folk Fest Jul 19 - 22 • Pg. 30 Nextfest May 31 - June 10 • Pg. 18
Princeton Traditional Music Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 PRISMA - Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy Jun 11 - 23 • Pg. 21 Pure Speculation Jun 15 & 16 • Pg. 22 Quadrapalooza Aug 31 - Sep 2 • Pg. 46 Queen of the Peak Sep 28 - 30 • Pg. 52 Rainbow Trout Music Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Regina Folk Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 40 Reign Bough Fiddle Festival Jun 29 – Jul 2 • Pg. 25 Renton River Days Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Revelstoke Street Fest Jun 23 - Aug 26 • Pg. 24 Richmond Maritime Festival Jul 28 & 29 • Pg. 37 Rifflandia Festival Sep 13 - 16 • Pg. 50 RiverFest Sep 18 - 22 • Pg. 50 Rock Creek Fall Fair Sep 15 & 16 • Pg. 50 Rockin’ River Music Fest Aug 2 - 5 • Pg. 38 Rock the River Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Rock the Shores Jul 13 - 15 • Pg. 29 Rock the Sun Jul 14 - Sep 1 • Pg. 30 Rocky Mountain Folk Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Rogue Arts Festival Aug 24 - 26 • Pg. 45 Ryga Arts Festival Aug 31 - Sep 2 • Pg. 46 Sacred Music Dance Camp Jun 27 - Jul 1 • Pg. 25 Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 42 Salt Spring Island Apple Fest Sep 30 • Pg. 52 Salt Spring Island’s Annual Fall Fair Sep 15 & 16 • Pg. 50 Sam Steele Days Jun 14 - 17 • Pg. 22 Saskatoon Berry Festival Jul 7 • Pg. 28 Saskatoon Exhibition Aug 7 - 12 • Pg. 40 Saskatoon Folkfest Aug 16 - 18 • Pg. 42 Saskatoon Reggae and World Music Festival Jul 8 • Pg. 28
NimbleFingers Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Workshop and Festival Aug 19 - 31 • Pg. 44 North Country Fair Jun 22 - 24 • Pg. 24 Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Northwest Folklife Festival May 25 - 28 • Pg. 17 North West Roots Festival Jul 7 - 8 • Pg. 27 Nutrien Children’s Festival Jun 2 - 5 • Pg. 20 Okanagan Pride Festival Aug 11 - 18 • Pg. 41 Okanagan Vinyl Fest Presented by Peach City Radio Sep 23 • Pg. 51 Ol’ Macdonalds Music Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Oliver Cask & Keg Sep 29 • Pg. 52 Oliver Music in the Park Jul 5 - Aug 23 • Pg. 26 Opera Nuova Opera & Music Theatre Festival May 25 - June 30 • Pg. 17 Otafest May 18 - 20 • Pg. 16 OUTstages Jun 19 - 24 • Pg. 23 Pacific Rim Summer Festival Jul 1 - 8 • Pg. 26 Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Parksville Beachfest Concert Series Jul 13 - Aug 19 • Pg. 28 Party in the Park Jun 15 & 16 • Pg. 22 Peace Festival Jul 13 - 14 • Pg. 29 Peach Festival Aug 8 - 12 • Pg. 40 Pembina River Nights Jul 6 - 7 • Pg. 27 Pender Harbour Blues Festival Jun 1 - 3 • Pg. 20 Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Penticton Elvis Festival Jun 21 - 24 • Pg. 23 Penticton Rib Festival Jun 29 - Jul 2 • Pg. 25 Penticton Scottish Festival Jul 7 • Pg. 28 Performing Arts BC Regional Festival May 29 - June 2 • Pg. 18 Ponderosa Arts & Music Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Pretty Good Not Bad May 17 - 20 • Pg. 16
62 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018
SaskPower Windscape Kite Festival Jun 23 & 24 • Pg. 24 SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1 • Pg. 24 Sasquatch! May 25 - 27 • Pg. 17 Sasquatch Gathering Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Seabird Island First Nations Festival May 27 - 28 • Pg. 18 Seafest-Alert Bay Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36 Seafest-Cortes May 19 • Pg. 16 Seafest-Prince Rupert Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Sechelt Arts Festival Oct 5 - 22 • Pg. 52 Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Jun 21 - 24 • Pg. 23 Serenity Music Harvest Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Seven Music Fest Jul 7 • Pg. 28 Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Shambhala Music Festival Aug 10 - 13 • Pg. 40 Sh’Bang Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Shorefest Jul 28 - Aug 4 • Pg. 37 Skookum Festival Sep 7 - 9 • Pg. 48 Sled Island Festival Jun 21 - 24 • Pg. 23 Smithers Midsummer Music Festival Jun 29 - Jul 1 • Pg. 25 Sooke Fine Arts Show Jul 27 - Aug 6 • Pg. 36 Sooke River Bluegrass Festival Jun 15 - 17 • Pg. 22 South Cariboo Garlic Festival Aug 25 & 26 • Pg. 45 South County Fair Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Starbelly Jam Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 30 Steveston Dragon Boat Festival Aug 25 • Pg. 45 Stony Plain Cowboy Festival Aug 17 - 19 • Pg. 44 Strata New Music Festival Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Street Performers Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 34 Summerland Action Festival Jun 1 - 3 • Pg. 20
Summerland Bluegrass Festival Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Summer Solstice Festival d’été Jun 22 & 23 • Pg. 24 Summer Sounds Jul 8 - Aug 26 • Pg. 28 Summertime Blues Aug 23 - 26 • Pg. 44 Sunfest Festival Aug 2 - 5 • Pg. 38 Sunshine Coast Art Crawl Oct 19 - 21 • Pg. 53 Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 42 Sunshine Festival Jun 15 & 16 • Pg. 22 Sunshine Music Festival Sep 1 & 2 • Pg. 48 Surrey Fusion Festival Jul 21 & 22 • Pg. 34 Surrey International Children’s Festival May 24 - 26 • Pg. 17 Swamp Fest Sep 6 - 8 • Pg. 48 Symphony Under The Sky Aug 30 - Sep 2 • Pg. 46 Taste of Edmonton Jul 19 – 28 • Pg. 30 TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1 • Pg. 24 TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival Jun 22 - Jul 1 • Pg. 24 TD Victoria International JazzFest Jun 22 - Jul 1 • Pg. 24 Terrace Riverboat Days Aug 3 - 12 • Pg. 39 Texada Island Blues & Roots Festival Aug 4 & 5 • Pg. 39 Theatre BC Mainstage 2018 Jun 29 - Jul 7 • Pg. 25 Theatre Royal Summer Gala Jun 16 • Pg. 22 Theatre Under the Stars Jul 4 - Aug 18 • Pg. 26 The Festival at Sandpoint Aug 2 - 12 • Pg. 38 The Phillips Backyard Weekender Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 34 The Works Art and Design Festival Jun 21 - Jul 3 • Pg. 23 Timber! Outdoor Music Festival Jul 12 - 14 • Pg. 28 Tiny Lights Festival Jun 8 - 10 • Pg. 21 Ukee Days Jul 27 - 29 • Pg. 36
Ukrainian Pysanka Festival Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 27 UNO Fest May 9 - 19 • Pg. 16 Vancouver Bach Festival Jul 30 - Aug 10 • Pg. 37 Vancouver Folk Music Festival Jul 13 - 15 • Pg. 29 Vancouver International Children’s Festival May 28 - June 3 • Pg. 18 Vancouver International Fringe Festival Sep 6 - 16 • Pg. 48 Vancouver Island Blues Bash Sep 1 - 3 • Pg. 48 Vancouver Island Music Fest Jul 13 - 15 • Pg. 29 Vancouver Pride Parade Aug 5 • Pg. 40 Vibrant Music Festival Jun 1 - 3 • Pg. 20 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Aug 10 - 12 • Pg. 41 Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival Aug 22 - Sep 2 • Pg. 44 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival May 19 - 21 • Pg. 16 Victoria Pride Festival Jul 1 - 8 • Pg. 26 Victoria’s Ska & Reggae Festival Jun 20 - 24 • Pg. 23 Wanderlust Festival Aug 2 - 5 • Pg. 38 Wapiti Fernie’s Music Festival Aug 10 & 11 • Pg. 41 Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival Aug 24 - 26 • Pg. 45 Waynestock Aug 31 - Sep 3 • Pg. 46 Whistler Children’s Art Festival Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 27 Whyte Avenue ArtWalk Jul 6 - 8 • Pg. 27 Wicked Woods Music Festival Sep 27 - 30 • Pg. 51 Wild Mountain Music Festival Jul 13 - 15 • Pg. 29 Willow Creek Cowboy Gathering Jun 15 - 17 • Pg. 22 WIND Festival Jul 26 - 28 • Pg. 35 Winnipeg Folk Fest Jul 5 - 8 • Pg. 26 Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival Jul 20 - 22 • Pg. 34 WOW! Wednesday On the Wharf Jun 13 - Aug 29 • Pg. 21 Yukon River Side Art Festival Aug 16 - 19 • Pg. 42
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64 VUEWEEKLY’s Ultimate Summer Festival Guide 2018