The 2021 Harrison Festival of the Arts is officially open.
The Festival held opening ceremonies on Saturday at noon on Holberg Farm in Agassiz. This featured a few words from mayors Leo Facio and Sylvia Pranger and an official welcome from members of the Sts’ailes First Nation, including the performance of several songs and dances.
This year marks the 42nd annual Festival of the Arts and the first without Phyllis Stenson, a mainstay in the local arts scene who passed away last November. Stenson was the lifeblood of the Festival Society days from the early days until her retirement. She treasured a strong bond with the Sts’ailes First Nation and she was honoured in a naming ceremony at the 2013 Festival.
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Both executive and artistic director Andy Hillhouse and retired Sts’ailes chief Willie Charlie shared brief tributes to Stenson during the Festival’s opening.
The Farnaz Ohadi Cuadro performed first, followed by a slew of world music talent from B.C. and beyond. The entire first day of the Harrison Festival of the Arts was live-streamed through YouTube links at harrisonfestival.com, where visitors can find a complete lineup and more information about each performer throughout the week.
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(Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
Flamenco and Farsi folk singer Farnaz Ohadi checks the sound ahead of the quartet’s performance to kick off the Harrison Festival of the Arts. (Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
Festival executive and artistic director Andy Hillhouse says a few words ahead of this year’s Festival of the Arts. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Sts’ailes dancers share a smile during the opening ceremony of the Harrison Festival of the Arts. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Dancers from the Sts’ailes First Nation performed several dances and songs during the Festival’s opening ceremonies. (Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
The crowd gathered quickly at Holberg Farm as the Harrison Festival of the Arts launched on Saturday, July 10. (Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
(Adam Louis/Observer)
