The 34th Harrison Festival of the Arts closes this weekend with some amazing music and art featuring Blues, Gospel, First Nations, African and more.
The Evening Concert Series continues tonight, July 13, with the award-winning gospel group Mike Farris & the Cumberland Saints. In 2008, Farris won the Americana Music Association’s “New & Emerging Artist of the Year” award and won the Gospel Music Association’s “Best Traditional Gospel Album” in 2010.
On July 14, Irelands’ Niamh Ni Charra Band will bring some award winning traditional music to the Hall. A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, Ni Charra toured for eight years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland.
To close the festival on July 15, legendary African vocalist Wazimbo and his band will get the Hall rocking. Wazimbo is one of the greatest voices of Mozambique and one of the most famous singers for the Mozambican style – Marrabenta. One of the most famous works of this artist is the ballad “Nwahulwana” (night bird) was featured first in a Microsoft commercial in California and in 2001 was part of the song track for the movie The Pledge starting Jack Nicholson.
The Evening Concert Series is the only ticketed event at the Harrison Festival, and concerts often sell-out. See the website or call the Festival Office for availability.
Second Weekend Beach Stage performers include Harrison Kennedy, a prolific songwriter with a rich, deep-down blues, always rooted in what’s happening right now.
Local powerhouse talent, Sto:lo singer Inez will be joined by blues and folk guitarist Jason Burnstick.
Cellist Kevin Fox’s abilities as an instrumentalist, singer, composer/arranger, performer and songwriter have offered him the opportunity to work with the likes of Justin Bieber and Kathleen Edwards, recording with artists as diverse as Raine Maida and Celine Dion, and touring extensively with musicians ranging from Chantal Kreviazuk and Steven Page to Tom Cochrane and Olivia Newton-John.
Pura Fé has sung for The Mercer Ellington Orchestra, countless blues, jazz, R&B, rock bands and has stamped her distinct vocals on many recordings, demo’s, jingles, music videos and movie sound tracks/trailers throughout her career.
Battle of Santiago combine bass, saxophone, flute and percussion, the band’s philosophy is to capture each musicians own personal sound and style.
Nelson Lepine Quintet features bluesy roots music from this Bowen Island singer/songwriter.
Maria in the Shower is Vancouver’s legendary folk cabaret band — wandering minstrels, entertainers cut from old cloth, storytellers traveling often and gathering tales as they go. Enjoy the Beach Stage for only a daily $2 button.
Visit the Festival’s visual art exhibit in the picturesque Ranger Station Art Gallery, featuring the work of local surrealist Leo Labelle. Stroll and shop at the juried weekend Art Market, under the tents on the lake front. This Market features some of BC’s finest artists and artisans displaying a dazzling array of hand crafted items including pottery, jewelry, glass, metal, sculpture, musical instruments, paintings, leather and wood work and much more.
Full details on performers, dates and prices are available on the Festival Society’s website at www.harrisonfestival.com or call the Festival Office at 604-796-3664.
