The 22nd Annual Harmony Arts Festival, presented by Odlum Brown Limited, turns the West Vancouver waterfront into an open-air celebration of the arts. Visitors can enjoy art exhibitions, Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Art Market, artist talks and demonstrations, West Vancouver Optometry’s Cinema and Song, over 70 distinct concerts, and a unique wine and culinary experience in the Grosvenor Waterfront Lounge.
The 10 day Festival attracts some 80,000 visitors, features the work of more than 400 visual artists and over 250 performing artists showcased in over 75 performances on two stages. The Festival welcomes everyone to come and wander along the beautiful West Vancouver waterfront. Come experience the excitement and sounds of this award-winning Festival along Ambleside and John Lawson Park. The Festival continues to strike a balance between the charming community feel of its roots, and the exciting regional event it has become. Most events are free to the public.
From rock, blues and jazz, to classical and world music, there is something for everyone and all musical tastes at the Festival this year.
The single biggest draw at the Festival is the BA Blacktop Sunset Concerts in John Lawson Park. At 7:30 pm, every night of the Festival, some of BC’s best musical talent will entertain a wide audience mix. The dynamic and eclectic line-up on the West Vancouver Community Foundation Main Stage includes:
- Luisa Marshall’s Tina Turner Tribute (August 3): Internationally acclaimed Tina Turner tribute artist.
- Santa Lucia (August 4): This seven member band has created a sound that evokes the early days of Latin Funk (Santana, War, etc.), while adding their own blend of rock and funk grooves.
- Acres of Lions (August 5): Pop-rock whose music is lyrically-driven and 2011 marks the second year in which they have been selected by Music BC as one of the ‘Top 20 Bands in BC’.
- The Matinée (August 6): Dynamic, whimsical and enthusiastic music with a rootsy do-it-yourself flavour.
- John Reischman & The Jaybirds (August 7): One of the freshest, most tasteful band-sounds on the folk and bluegrass circuit today.
- Roy Forbes (August 8): One of Canada’s favourite and most-loved acoustic artists.
- Babe Gurr (August 9): Her warm and sultry voice, intelligent lyrics, memorable melodies and savvy personality add up to pretty much everything you want to see on a stage.
- Tambura Rasa (August 10): Fiery Spanish guitar, fully orchestrated Baladi Gypsy string section, burning Afro-Latin percussion and sensual Flamenco and Belly dancers, this eight piece act raises the roof and lights-up skies of any concert grounds.
- Good For Grapes (August 11): Six piece folk/alternative rising stars
- Locarno (August 12): Closing the Festival’s Sunset Series, the Latin project of Juno award-winning musician and Paperboys front man, Tom Landa. Part Mexican but with strong doses of Cuban Son, folk music, pop and funk.
Back for the third year with an expanded line-up of music is the RE/MAX Garden Concerts on the Pacific Arbour Garden Stage (located at the foot of 15th Street and Argyle Avenue). Sip beverages in the Grosvenor Waterfront Lounge and groove to some of BC’s local gems in this intimate venue with the scenic West Vancouver Oceanside as the backdrop of this magical setting. Dinner hour bands will be featured throughout the festival starting at 5:45 pm and be sure not to miss the nightly late evening “After Sunset” concerts at 8:45 pm. The RE/MAX Garden Concerts feature:
- Bobby Bruce’s Nearly Neil & The Solitary Band (August 3): Top tribute artist whose incredible showmanship has rocked crazed crowds around the globe.
- Jim Byrnes (August 4): Three time Juno Award winner and blues legend.
- Mazacote (August 5): Vancouver’s hottest six piece Latin dance band, playing horn-driven New York salsa and beats from Colombia, Puerto Rico and Cuba.
- Ali Milner (August 6): Her timeless sound blends R&B pop with old-soul jazz and even a dose of hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll.
- John Mann (August 7): This Spirit of the West front man is a world class post-modern folk-rock minstrel with an unparalleled stage presence, a pure and strong voice, and a passion for storytelling.
- The Dynamics (August 8): Rock and soul review band featuring five singers, a red-hot rhythm section and a sizzling horn section. They deliver high-energy dance music guaranteed to get audiences on their feet.
- Maria in the Shower (August 9): Part vaudeville, part cabaret, part punk and part folk, this band revels in the fun and challenge of making old music feel new.
- Soulstream (August 10): Vancouver’s funk/soul/jazz staple.
- Redgy Blackout (August 11): Alternative folk rock with just enough pop.
- Adam Woodall Band (August 12): Closing the Festival, one of the North Shore’s most celebrated musicians.
The 2012 Harmony Arts Festival also proudly features the newly expanded Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Art Market. The line-up of artists and artisan works were selected by the esteemed jury team; Ross Penhall, Celia Pickles, and Susan Remnant, all well-renowned international artists in their own right. The Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Art Market takes over Argyle Avenue on both weekends of the Festival this year.
For more information about the Harmony Arts Festival call (604) 925-7268 or visit www.harmonyarts.ca