An upcoming concert in Chilliwack will honour women in music, and it’ll be a take on the hugely popular Lilith Fair festivals of the 1990s.
Chillsounds presents the inaugural Chillith Fair, a fundraiser concert for Wilma’s Transition Society, on Friday, May 31 at the Vineyard Centre. It will feature Chilliwack artists Aorangi (Ariana Stevenson), Desiree Walde, and trio Brittany Sovereign, Alexis Beer and Katrina Barson.
“We wanted to create an all-female event” just like Lilith Fair, said organizer Berris Karden.
Lilith Fair was a music festival founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan and others, celebrating women in music. It took place during the summers of 1997, 1998 and 1999 in several Canadian and U.S. cities, and was revived in the summer of 2010.
Folks in Chilliwack are likely familiar with the names of the trio that will be performing at Chillith Fair as they are all members of The Maybelles. But, what they will be singing will be “very different” from what people normally hear, Sovereign said.
“Our set was born out of the idea for the event. Because it’s Chillith Fair, we thought it would be so fun to do some songs that are reminiscent of the original Lilith Fair. We have a lot of inspiration from that, as well as some other ’90s groups,” she said.
They will be singing all cover songs and will be playing guitar, keyboard, and tambourine. They also have a few friends joining them on instruments.
“It’s still the girl power of the ’60s and ’70s stuff that we do, but it’s in the ’90s and 2000s,” Beer added.
Walde, who describes her style as “all over the place” with a little country, some grunge, and singer-songwriter style as well, will be singing ’90s cover songs, plus some of her original music.
She recorded a new song in the studio a few months ago and she said she’s looking forward to performing it on May 31.
“The song that I’m most excited about… it’s called ‘You Said.’ It hasn’t been released yet, but it’s a really special song. I wrote it from a friend’s story.”
She was invited to her friend’s Narcotics Anonymous meeting. After her friend received her 25-year token of sobriety, she shared her story at the meeting.
“When I was walking away, I thought ‘There’s so much here that I want to write about.’ It took me a little bit, but it just kind of unfolded into this song.”
Also performing that night will be Stevenson, who goes by Aorangi.
She’s been writing songs since she was about 12 years when she had a piano in her room. She would play music, write poems and then put them together.
Stevenson calls her music “very dark” and that her songs reflect her mental health, and what she’s thinking and feeling.
“It’s like journaling, but to music,” she described.
Chillith Fair will be the first time she’ll be performing in this type of gig.
She’s currently recording eight original songs and one she’ll be singing that night is called ‘Over It’ which is her favourite.
“It’s very raw so I’m kind of nervous to sing it in front of everyone.”
Chillsounds is partnering with Wilma’s and partial proceeds from the event will go to the organization.
In addition to the music, people can buy tickets to play some of the organized games, plus there will be featured themed drinks and food, door prizes, and Wilma’s will be there accepting donations as well.
“We’re there to support them and shine a light on what they do,” Karden said. “It’s a very special show and we would like this to be the first of many Chillith Fairs.”
Chillith Fair by Chillsounds is Friday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vineyard Centre at 45892 Wellington Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and there will be a high school student performing before the show starts as people arrive. Tickets are $20 and available at eventcreate.com/e/chillith.
This is a 19+ show and may contain coarse language during the performances.
Looking for more events taking place in and around Chilliwack? Check out What’s happening Chilliwack in our community section.
