We have another great lineup for this year’s Performances in the Park. Get your lawn chairs ready and prepare for a musical celebration for the whole family.
The Gwen Ringwood Theatre will light up in Boitanio Park each Thursday evening, 6-8 p.m., from July 5 to August 23 with local, national, and international performers featuring two family-friendly acts per evening.
The series kicks off on July 5 with Miss White Spider, who will take you to a land of fairy tales and dance. Following that is One Below, playing eclectic high energy original music that will make you want to move your feet.
On July 12 you will see Colin Easthope and Tanya Gallagher. Colin and Tanya’s songs are a shoulder to lean on for everyone who’s ever had their heart stomped on, or endured a long-distance relationship. The duo is followed by Kym Gouchie & Northern Sky, whose inspirational music lifts the soul beyond its fettered state along the quest of creating a better world with compassion, understanding and forgiveness, reminding us that we are all in this together.
July 19 showcases Sarah Beattie, who is inspiring, engaging, and fun, followed by Samson’s Delilah with fearless, unique soul, full world roots, rock opera and folk music.
July 26 is a jam-packed night featuring Laura Kelsey, a WCMA-nominated singer who pairs strong vocals with thoughtful poetry for a catchy set of acoustic songs. Closing the evening is Melody Maker, a local South Cariboo duo singing blues, classic rock and roots.
August 2 will feature The Alkemist, a kick-driven, rattle shakin’, boot stompin’, one-man music machine based in the hidden valleys of Northern British Columbia. Following that are Australia’s This Way North. This Way North is an alt-pop / rock duo that blow perceptions out of the water with their powerful live show. This Way North opened the Performances in the Park stage following the wildfires of 2017, and we look forward to seeing them through clear skies this year.
On August 9, Performances in the park is excited to debut Horsefly singer-songwriter Katy Nicol. Headlining the evening is Madeline Tasquin and Sarabande. Expect delicious harmonies, infectious grooves and a whole lot of soul from this dynamic trio of women on tour from California.
On August 16, the High Quadra Ramblers will deliver an eclectic mix of high-energy hillbilly hoedowns and droney, middle-eastern inspired instrumentals. The Ramblers are followed by local favourites Red Monkey Black King, who will bring rock music back home.
The final performance night on August 23 will feature locals Bernadette Ducharme, a small town, multi genre, singer/songwriter that wants to move you. Closing out the evening is another local favourite, Borderband, who play a great mix of covers songs and original music.
Performances in the Park is presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, with the support of the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake. We wish to thank our loyal sponsors and supporters, without whose support this concert series would not be possible. Gold Sponsors for this year are Lake City Collision and Auto Glass, United Concrete and Gravel, and the West Fraser Truckers. Silver sponsors are the Rotary Club Williams Lake, Williams Lake Optometry, Monster Industries Ltd and PMT Chartered Professional Accountants LLP. Bronze Sponsors are Chaps Fix Auto, Arty the Artwalker, Johnston Meier Insurance, Atlantic Power, Retirement Concepts, West Fraser Mills, Tolko Industries, Investor’s Group and Love Williams Lake.
The Community Arts Council of Williams Lake will set up an Art in the Park station during each performance night. Food vendors and art exhibitions will also make appearances. Sound is provided by Brandon Hoffman of Gnomegrown Music.
Our Facebook page (facebook.com/PerformancesinthePark) will keep you updated online and the Williams Lake Tribune is providing weekly updates in print. The Goat / Cariboo Country radio stations are our proud radio sponsors. The Stew Magazine and The Green Gazette will feature articles and a schedule that can be put up on the fridge. Caribooradio.com will update online.
Please check out www.facebook.com/performancesinthepark or http://www.centralcaribooarts.com/performances-in-the-park/ for updates, details and pictures from the summer Performances in the Park concerts.
By Angela Sommer
