In the lead up to Fort 91原创鈥檚 inaugural Jazz & Arts Festival this summer, a number of the participants were announced this weekend.
Among performances by a local dixieland jazz band, RazzMaJass Ensemble, and a blessing from a Kwantlen First Nation鈥檚 elder, a list of pro jazz bands were divulged in Front of the Fort 91原创 Community Hall on Saturday.
During the kickoff that morning, organizers David Quinn and Karen Zukas revealed details including the name of several musical acts that will be performing at the July 28 event: , , with guest vocalist and rising talent, Julie Copeman-Haynes, the Wow Jazz Orchestra, the , ,, and the .
Alongside the music, the festival will feature a self-guided artwalk of local art galleries and studios, clay sculpture demonstrations by local artist, Elaine Brewer-White and a clay station where attendees can help build Fort 91原创 Jazz Town.
Art studios and galleries to tour on the artwalk include: , Judy Nygren Studio, , , , Brandon Gabriel at , , , the , , , and .
Artwork from the studios and galleries will also be featured in an exhibition tent by the Fort 91原创 Community Hall. Pieces on view will be part of an art auction in the evening at the community dance. The festival is a result of a group of community-spirited individuals from civic, business, and artistic enterprises that saw the need and the unique opportunity to bring together live jazz music and visual art in Fort 91原创 explained Zukas, the festival鈥檚 executive director.
鈥淲hat started as an idea and a few conversations late last year, quickly grew into a reality after the favourable support and interest we received for the festival from local community groups and businesses,鈥� she said.
鈥淭his is a community that truly appreciates music, the arts, and culture, and the Fort 91原创 Jazz & Arts Festival will be a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy world-class music and the work of talented artists here in our own backyard,鈥� said Township of 91原创 Mayor Jack Froese.
鈥淲e look forward to welcoming the first annual festival this summer and encourage everyone to come out and enjoy a free, fun day of live music, art, dancing, and entertainment for all ages,鈥� he added.
The Fort 91原创 Community Improvement Society, which is responsible for the community hall, signed on as the presenting sponsor for the Festival because it meets the mandate of the society to support musical and theatrical performances and visual art displays in the community. 鈥淪ince 1924, our members have volunteered to participate, organize and promote worthwhile events that bring together the community and provide an enjoyable, educational and entertaining experience,鈥� said Robert Symington, acting president of the Fort 91原创 Community Improvement Society. 鈥淭he Fort 91原创 Jazz & Arts Festival promises to be a very exciting and positive occasion that will benefit residents and merchants alike and will bring a prominent summer event that celebrates the arts to the community.鈥�
The Fort 91原创 Business Improvement Association is also behind the inaugural festival. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome the first annual Fort 91原创 Jazz & Arts Festival to our historic village,鈥� said Meghan Neufeld, executive director of the Fort 91原创 Business Improvement Association. 鈥淔ort 91原创 is well known throughout the region as a hub for established and upcoming artists. We are thrilled to showcase our thriving arts community and look forward to seeing this event grow in the years to come,鈥� said Neufeld.
The festival wraps-up in the evening with the only ticketed event, a Tribute to Motown dance at the community hall organized by Quinn, the festival artistic director and a Fort 91原创 jazz musician.
鈥淲e鈥檙e bringing in a scorching 12-piece band of seasoned musicians and some of Vancouver鈥檚 most talented vocalists who will cover music from the Motown period,鈥� said Quinn.
Quinn is also organizing a free jazz education and workshop for young and emerging jazz artists on Sunday, July 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at the community hall.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a student musician or emerging jazz musician who is influenced by jazz music, you won鈥檛 want to miss the festival鈥檚 education workshop and jazz jam session with music educators and professional musicians鈥�, said Quinn. Interested musicians can register for the workshop on the festival鈥檚 website.
For more information about the festival, including volunteer and busker opportunities, visit .
