Summer’s long weekends are a chance to get out of town and enjoy some of the beauty our province has to offer, but if you’re sticking around the capital this B.C. Day long weekend, Capital Festival Productions is bringing some of that beauty to you.
“We’ve got tremendous highlights this year,” says festival artistic director John Selkirk. “There’s such a wealth of talent here.”
Celebrate the best of British Columbia with free entertainment for the whole family at St. Ann’s Academy for the 2011 B.C. Day Celebrations, which runs Monday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bring a blanket, some chairs, and a picnic to enjoy a variety of entertainers from across the province on three stages, both inside the academy and out.
This year’s festival will offer more interactive fun than ever before, promises Selkirk.
“Not only are Salsa Caliente going to perform, but they have an instructor coming in to give dance lessons to audience members,” he says. “They’ll be offering workshops in salsa for the adults and hip-hop for the kids.”
Benoit Ranger, also known as “Ben LaBarouette” will be performing two sets of his Dream Circus on the main stage. LaBarouette was one of the artistic co-founders of Cirque Du Soleil and École Nationale de Cirque (National School of Circus Arts) in Montreal.
“Expect to see some magic and acrobatics,” says Selkirk. “He’s really engaging and really fun for the whole family.”
Cast and crew from the movie Locked in a Garage Band will be on hand for the Garage Band Live competition. Emerging artists or indie bands can register to compete for prizes and bragging rights in this live performance contest, which will be judged by a panel of local celebrities. The winners will have a chance to be featured on the film’s soundtrack.
“This is a great opportunity to support some groups the audience might know or hear some aspiring young groups they’ve never heard of,” says Selkirk. The Garage Band Live competition takes place in the auditorium.
Inside the chapel, the acoustic stage features some of the best singer-songwriters and musicians. Find B.C. emerging artists Karly Summers and Sarah Tradewell playing there.
On Sunday, catch a preview of Monday’s festival at Harbour Heroes, a new part of the B.C. Day Celebrations, at the Delta Ocean Point Resort plaza across the Johnson Street Bridge. From 1 to 5 p.m. there will be music, magic, prize giveaways and a BBQ to liven up that side of the harbour in the lead up to Victoria Symphony Splash.
For more information about the B.C. Day Celebrations, visit capitalfestival.com. M
BC Day Celebration
Monday, Aug. 1, 11am to 5:30pm
St. Ann's Academy
(835 Humboldt)
Free music and entertainment all day