editorial: Fernwood NRG Strategic Planning

›› Chantille Viaud

We’re taking a big step forward by embarking on a new strategic planning process, and we want you to be a part of it! But wait, you might be wondering, what exactly is strategic planning, and why should you care? Well, let us demystify it for you. Strategic planning is all about revisioning and clarifying our values and mission as an organization. It’s about setting goals, creating a roadmap, and making informed decisions to better serve our community.

We’ve been hard at work, talking with our dedicated staff and valued participants to gather their insights and perspectives. Their input is vital in shaping our future direction. Now, we want to extend the conversation to all of you, the heart and soul of Fernwood.

Mark your calendars for June 17, because we’re hosting an interactive booth during FernFest. This will be a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with you,

cover: FernFest 2023

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Many many thanks to our sponsors: the Belfry Theatre, Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., The Zone @ 91.3, Vinyl Envy, Garside Signs, Merridale Cidery & Distillery, Fernwood Coffee Co. & Little June, Fernwood Community Association, Rise Health, Aryze, Metropol, Darcy Beck –Film and Media Production, Capital Bike, listen to your thoughts, and hear your ideas for our community’s future. We value your voice and want you to be an integral part of this process.

Funtime Inflatables, GFL Environmental, Mclennan’s Island Meat & Seafood, Michells Farm, Origin Bakery, Orca Book Publishers, Phillips Soda Works, Portofino Bakery, Soma Active Health, St. John Ambulance, @TheFernwoodMakersParty, Thrifty Foods, and Wicked Clothing Co. Plus, we could not make this event happen without the support of our volunteer team!

So, come on down to FernFest, join us in the Field of Dreams, and let’s shape the future of Fernwood together. We can’t wait to see you there and embark on this exciting journey of growth and positive change. Together, we’ll make Fernwood an even more vibrant and thriving place for all.

We are so grateful for you!

We gratefully acknowledge that Fernwood, our community where we live, work, play, and host this event, resides on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees, and the Esquimalt Nations. Find the full FernFest Program Guide at: fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/program Happy FernFest, friends!

FRIDAY, JUNE 16 5-10PM FREE

TimePerformerMain Stage in Fernwood Square

5:00pm

WELCOMEJOSEPH’S SINGERS AND DANCERS

Joseph’s Singers and Dancers are three generation performers, with multiple groups up and down Vancouver Island.

5:45pm SLIM SANDY’S ATOMIC COCKTAILS Slim Sandy’s Atomic Cocktails play swing jazz, jive, and rhythm and blues from the 30’s to the 50’s.

6:45pm BLACKWOOD KINGS

A progressive musical fusion from the Canadian left coast. Dub/reggae/ska/punk and whatever else.

7:50pm LA CHUPEROSA Latin Electronica shakes hands with Afrobeat and Cumbia in a kaleidoscopic vortex of love.

8:55pm BABYFACE BRASS High energy funky jazzy mesmerizing spectacle with flailing limbs and shiny instruments flying on whims.

TimePerformer Little Fernwood Stage at 1923 Fernwood Road

Curated by Vinyl Envy Record Store, space provided by the Fernwood Community Association

6:00pm AARON WYLDER

Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, Aaron Wylder is a 25 year old Canadian singer songwriter. Now based out of Victoria, British Columbia, he can be found most often with a guitar in his hands.

7:00pm PONY GOLD West Coast Americana band Pony Gold deliver timeless and refreshing songs about escapism, purpose, love, and loss.

8:00pm DRAG HOUR WITH CHAZ AVERY & FRIENDS

Producer of King Fling’s shows at Capital Ballroom and Lucky Bar and Dinner & A Drag Show at The Mint, he will dance his way into your heart – and your pants.

9:00pm LAYTEN KRAMER Psychedelic Folk / Acid Western

FOOD Enjoy some tasty eats from our BBQ. We’ll be serving locally-made smokies, veggie sausages, and kid’s dogs, chips, and Phillips sodas. 5pm - Late DRINKS Hang out in Fernwood Square & Little Fernwood, listen to the music, dance, & enjoy local Phillips & Merridale brews. (All ages location, 19+ for alcohol) 5pm - 10pm

Volunteer with FernFest

›› Nada Saad

We have so many volunteer opportunities and would love to have you a part of our team. We would love support with festival set-up/ tear down, the artisan market, Field of Dreams set-up, beverage gardens, beverage ticket sales, BBQ, hospitality, and our green team. We also have a couple new volunteer opportunities in helping set-up/take down sound equipment, and helping out our bike valets.There are also quite a few volunteer opportunities for pre-event as well as postevent if you want to contribute.

As a volunteer, you will receive a free FernFest shirt, free snacks and coffee, a ticket for the BBQ or beverage, and you’ll get to hang out with and meet lots of great people and support your community. We will also be hosting an Appreciation Party after FernFest on June 22 at Vinyl Envy with entertainment and refreshments as a thank you for everyone who donated their time to make FernFest a successful and fun event!

If you’re interested in getting involved, and want to meet like-minded individuals, this is the opportunity for you! Fill out our online FernFest Volunteer Application at fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/ fernfest/volunteer. We are so excited for everyone to come together again to have yet another fantastic FernFest!

TimeActivityDetails

June 14 at 10:00am to June 18 at 5:00pm

11:30am5:30pm

Online Auction

Bid on an amazing selection of items including gift certificates, coffee, art, experiences, and more! Our auction will be held online at airauctioneer.com/fernfest-2023-auction. Bidding starts on Wednesday, June 14 at 10am and runs until Saturday, June 18 at 5pm. If you win an item, you can pick it up at the Fernwood Community Centre from June 19 to 23, 2023. Thank you to all our auction donors!

Artisan Market

Field of Dreams

60+ local vendors will be showcasing their unique items on Gladstone Avenue between Fernwood Square and the Fernwood Community Centre, bringing you handmade clothing, jewelry, soaps, art, treats, and lots more! Thanks to @thefernwoodmakersparty for collaborating on curating and coordinating this market!

Find the Field of Dreams at Stevenson Park, behind the Fernwood Community Centre. Family and kids’ activities galore & all things fun: bouncy castles, musical petting zoo, community art projects, community acupuncture, games, face-painting, performances, live painting, bubbles, magic, food & live music on the Field of Dreams Stage!

11:30am5:30pm

Art Installations

Non-Profit Hub

11:30am5:30pm Tours, + Workshops

Noon10:00pm BBQ & Drinks

Artists will be setting up installations for you to explore on the Field of Dreams. Check em out!

Talk to local non-profits about the cool things they do in the community! Located on the Field of Dreams.

All Day

12:00pm & 1:00pm

3:30pm

Self-guided Fernwood Mural Tour, Pick-up a map at the Info Booth in Fernwood Square, or find the map at fernwoodnrg.ca/fernwood-muralfestival/map.

Belfry Theatre Tours, Meet at Belfry Theatre stairs in Fernwood Square.

Thoughts into Lyrics Interactive Song Improv with Kady Savard At the Fernwood Community Association, 1923 Fernwood Road

The FernFest BBQ brings you delicious eats including locally-made smokies, veggie sausages, and kid’s dogs, Open 11:30am - Late FernFest will be pouring fresh Phillips Beers and Merridale Cider. Open Noon - 10:00pm (All ages location, 19+ for alcohol) All proceeds support Fernwood NRG!

TimePerformerField

11:30am IMINAH KANI

of Dream Stage at Stevenson Park

Iminah Kani is a west-coast, sland girl who creates beautiful music with elements of flamenco and folk.

12:30pm TAVIS & MICHELLE Folk duo with harmonies as smooth as butter on toast. Their sound may just melt your heart.

1:30pm ELLEN TROTTIER

2:30pm galgapoła

3:30pm DIRTY EDDY

4:30pm COYOTES IN THE MEADOW

Cathartic melodies, calming energy, romantic soul, and charismatic charm.

Their name means ‘we stand together hand in hand’

Dirty Eddy is a healthy dose of 90s nostalgia featuring razor sharp synths layered with notes of struggle, breakthrough, and resolve.

Coyotes in the Meadow plays dirty folk music straight from the street with hints of klezmer, bluegrass, and gipsy jazz.

12:00pm

1:00pm DILLY COONER

2:00pm SALTWATER HANK

3:00pm TK, THE ARTIST

4:10pm SOSOROMEO

5:10pm THE SPIRITUAL WARRIORS

6:10pm FUNKY MEETING

7:05pm PABLO CARDENAS & THE WEST COAST CUBAN ENSEMBLE

2:15pm FOLLOW THE SOUND

3:30pm THOUGHTS INTO LYRICS WORKSHOP WITH KADY SAVARD

4:45pm THE MONKEYS IN A BOX

6:00pm ELISE BOULANGER

7:00pm PEANUT BUTTER TELEPHONE

8:00pm LIAM MACKENZIE & THE MOONDOGS

9:00pm BLACK PONTIAC

Main Stage in Fernwood Square

The Vic High R&B Band, founded and formerly directed by Eric Emde, is a dynamic band made up of nearly 25 high school students ranging from grades 9 to 12, now under the leadership of Mr. Denver Rawson.

Influenced by folk, RnB, and pop, she has developed a unique, smooth sound, mesmerizing audiences whether she is crooning over guitar or piano.

d, mesmer hout songwrit ments are shown th ating sou unky ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING JUNE 7 6:30PM-9:30PM ALL NEIGHBOURS WELCOME www.thefca.ca VENUES FOR RENT: Paul Phillips Hall FCA Boardroom @the_fca_ Book Now

Tsimshian folk artist Saltwater Hank has a natural comedic timing throughout his songwriting and performance, and the many hours spent on all of his chosen instruments are shown through his skillful delivery.

Presenting Tk, the artist: A dynamic afrosoul/jazz fusion artist, captivating audiences with soulful vocals, mesmerizing drumming, and his electrifying band.

SOSOROMEO is Vancouver’s latest powerhouse pop-rock band. Fronted by Stevie Wise & Tyler Lanigan, they bring you harmony-driven dance music.

The Spiritual Warriors create music inspired by the land and life in the coastal mountains of the Lil’wat Nation.

Imagine a Friday afternoon meeting with your least favourite coworkers turns into an e-transfer with 5000 euros being wired directly to you from King Haile Selassie. This is Funky Meeting!

The West Coast Cuban Ensemble was created in 2011 by the internationally renowned Cuban Pianist and Composer Pablo Cardenas. This project was created to keep the Cuban music roots alive while adding the influence of modern musical tendencies.

The Baan Baans are a local Victoria band, rooted in deep musicianship and silliness. Their pop grooves will make you move.

Little Fernwood Stage at 1923 Fernwood Road

Curated by Vinyl Envy Record Store, space provided by the Fernwood Community Association fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest facebook.com/fernfest.fernwoodnrg

High-energy pop, funk, and soul from Victoria’s most in-demand busking collective. Featuring Rowan Farintosh on sax, Josh Warren on bass, and Leo Farintosh on drums.

Thoughts Into Lyrics: Expressing yourself through lyrical improvisation with Kady Savard! Join Kady for a fun and creative interactive workshop learning to write and share lyrics. Everyone is welcome!

Playing a mixture of pop-rock and original tunes, the big sound of these neighbourhood kids will knock your socks off!

Hailing from Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw), Elise Boulanger is a chamber-folk-pop artist who completely captivates audiences with her haunting avalanche of a voice.

Peanut Butter Telephone’s distinct sound draws from jazz, alternative, indie, and prog influences, blending them into a psychedelic rock experience like no other.

Liam Mackenzie and The Moondogs are a groove-heavy rock’n’roll outfit that takes its cues from the heartland to the American South, mixing country and roots with some blue eyed soul and 70’s funk thrown in for good measure.

A cultural osmosis of indie, pop, rock, funk, and hip hop aesthetics hailing from Vancouver, BC.

@fernwoodnrg

#FernFest2023 office@thefca.ca 1923 Fernwood Rd. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!