The Fort Langley Celebration of the Arts is moving — and yet, at the same time, staying in one place.
The third annual festival celebrating the performing arts isn’t leaving the village, where it made its debut in July, 2012.
Instead, it is making its move on the calendar — to the third weekend in September, to be exact.
Festival organizer and chair, David James, hopes the switch to an early autumn date will help draw larger audiences and greater participation by Fort Langley residents to the three-day event which features both musical and spoken-word presentations.
But unlike previous celebrations, where performances were scattered throughout the village, this year’s shows will all take place at a single venue — the Fort Langley Community Hall.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Fort Langley Community Improvement Society which, by offering the use of its historic hall at no charge, has been instrumental in the presentation of the annual festival and the assurance of its long-term growth, said James.
The society has also provided the celebration with insurance and made a financial contribution.
“So they’ve really taken this on as something they want to support,” said James.
The community hall’s stage, sound and lighting equipment — even the curtains — have been upgraded, he said, adding the improvements can only make the experience better for performers and audiences alike.
The celebration begins on Friday evening, Sept. 19, with a performance by Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann — The Bergmann Piano Duo — at 7 p.m.
Festivities will resume at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a free children’s event at the hall. Members of the Kwantlen First Nation will lead young participants in a range of traditional arts and crafts, including beading, weaving, drum playing and story telling, said James.
“It’s a very very rich experience for the kids. They love it.”
At 2:30 p.m. Lindi Nolte will act as both emcee and artist during Slam! An Afternoon of Poetry.
That evening, beginning at 8 p.m., blues pianist Willie McCalder and his band present Everything Leads to Dancing,
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the celebration resumes with a 2:30 p.m. performance by 1659 Baroque Ensemble — Mad Songs and Englishmen.
At 6 p.m. audiences will be treated to Jazz Time, with a performance by Juno-nominated bassist and composer Jodi Proznick The celebration wraps up at 7:15 p.m. with a salmon barbecue.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 Fort Langley Celebration of the Arts.
Cost for most events is $20.
Admission to the slam poetry reading is by donation and the cost to attend the barbecue is $15.
Anyone who buys four tickets will receive a fifth at no additional charge.
They can be picked up at Wendell’s Bookstore and Café, 9233 Glover Rd. Euphoria Chocolates, or the tourist information booth at 9167 Glover Rd.
