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Harrison promises a hot time for the last weekend

On July 13, Quebec band Mamselle will bring their up-beat Latin music to the Memorial Hall for an evening performance
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Harry Manx is on the schedule for the 2013 Harrison Festival of the Arts.

The 35th Harrison Festival of the Arts is looking at a final weekend of exciting new music, returning musical favourites and more.

The Evening Concert Series at the Harrison Memorial Hall features the return of Tambura Rasa on July 12.  Ivan Tucakov and his band cook up a tasty brew of Rumba/Flamenco guitar, Gypsy Violin, Afro-Cuban percussion and are joined by two Flamenco dancers, including Karen PitKethly who wowed Harrison audiences when she danced with the band in 2011.  On July 13, Quebec band Mamselle will bring their up-beat Latin music to the Memorial Hall.  Lead by Mexican singer-songwriter Mamselle Ruiz, who moved to Quebec in 2010, the band is starting to tour and has just released their first album Maize.

Probably the best known of the returning bands would be The Wailin’ Jennys, closing the Festival on July 14.  They have won two Juno Awards, the most recent in 2012 for their album Bright Morning Stars, and were favorites on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion.   This show sold out prior to the beginning of the Festival.

Beach Stage concerts continue through the second weekend, featuring Silk Road Music, who pioneered Chinese-Western fusion, blending Chinese folk and classical music with Celtic, Latin, Arabic, Aboriginal, jazz, and blues music.  Bon Debarras has traveled around the world, delighting crowds with a music that cheerfully crosses boundaries and eras, redefining the limits of traditional Folk.  Bluesman Ray Bonneville’s vibe is loose and soulful, with a greasy guitar style, horn-like harmonica phrasing, smoky vocal style and pulsing foot percussion.  Digging Roots combine elements of traditional Indigenous influences, Hip-hop, Folk, Reggae, Blues and Roots styles of music.  Laetitia Zonzambe Trio presents music of the heart of Africa to the Bantu sounds, Jazz, Blues and Soul.  Briga Music  plays a hybrid of songs written in French and English, all accompanied by her fervent violin, firmly rooted in Eastern European and Romani Folk.  No tickets are necessary for the Beach Stage, simply get a $2 Button to show support.

The largest visual art component at the Harrison Festival is the Art Market with over 100 artisans and artists participating.  The Art Market is juried, assuring quality and artistic standards.  Vendors range from jewelers, potters, and crafters of wood, metal and glass to instrument makers and painters.

Throughout the Festival the Ranger Station Art Gallery will feature the work of Rachael Ashe.  Ashe is an emerging artist working in altered books, mixed media collage, and photography. She use recycled materials and found objects to create altered books & collage, combining colour, texture and striking compositions to create imagery that is personal and expresses her love of nature and imagination.

On the weekends, the Sts’ailes Sales Tent will feature First Nations’ crafts, and an art exhibit will also be open at the Harrison Gospel Chapel.  Also on the weekends morning yoga will be available on the beach and hands-on Workshops will be featured in the Hall on July 13 and July 14.

For tickets to any of the Evening Concerts or more information, check the website at www.harrisonfestival.com or call the office at 604-796-3664.



Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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