In less than a decade, Penticton's OneWorld Festival has become one of the region's most popular events. It’s an awesome global melting pot of dance, music, storytelling and of course food, so what's not to like?
But one other thing. The OneWorld Festival unfolds during a dead zone in the early spring, after winter's events have ended and before the jam-packed summer begins. The weather's improving and so are moods, and folks need an outlet. And OneWorld is there for them.
That's precisely the logic behind a brand new multi-day Penticton festival that kicks off for the very first time this Friday, March 25th, and continues through to April 3rd. Give the people something fun to do in the shoulder season, when there's so little happening and the schools are spring breaking.
Called "Ignite the Arts," it's the brainchild of Penticton Art Gallery curator Paul Crawford and wife and festival co-founder Julie Fowler, who assembled a team, developed a schedule, and secured venues and performers while COVID restrictions were still in effect, hoping the situation would improve by start time.
It did, and Crawford and Fowler's next big wish is that the town and the region give Ignite a chance. So far it's looking pretty good.
"We're the first festival coming out of the gates this year," said Crawford, "but I couldn’t be happier with the way it's come together and the support we've received from the arts communities and our funders and supporters.
"We've done well with ticket sales though we could do better, but I think we'll animate this town during spring break in a way it’s never been animated."
There are a lot of components to the nine-day happening and a bunch of venues and a ton of performers/acts too. There's so much in fact that some might find it a bit confusing.
So we asked both Crawford and Fowler to hit us with the highlights. And then we put together our own top half-dozen must-sees for those who aren't necessarily artistic. After all, if Ignite is to prosper, it'll need lots of support outside the arts community too.
1. The Mural-istic Kick-Off
The show kicks off this Friday, March 25th at Cannery Brewing with a gala unveiling of ten 4-foot by 4-foot commissioned murals created for a new community competition called the SQUARE Mini Mural Project.
This is the second year for the Project after a highly successful 2021 debut, and the first time this new batch of murals will be shown in public. Expect nervous/excited artists, lots of oohs and ahhs, and of course consumption of tasty Cannery brews.
2) Three Openings and a Parade
The following day, Saturday March 26, is highlighted by a trio of spring exhibit openings at the Penticton Art Gallery. But it's by no means a stuffy affair.
One of the exhibits is a collaboration between local artist Alexandra Goodall and local musician Danielle Savage called "Migration Parade." Crawford calls it "a mix of sculpture and sound that's responsive to people being in the space and engaging with the work," adding that there'll be dancers in there too.
"The team of artists will be engaging with the art at the opening and during the first week of the festival," said Crawford. "Music and performance."
And that isn’t even the wildest part of the evening. Prior to the opening, at 6:30 pm, everyone in town is invited to the orange bridge just behind the Gallery to join in on a "Parade to Nowhere."
Costumes are welcome but not required as the kooky group (hopefully) overcomes inhibitions, gets boisterous and travels joyously through the streets of downtown Penticton.
3. Contemporary Indigenous Music Showcase
Of all the events within the festival, both Fowler and Crawford point to "Awakening: First Blossoms / Spring Equinox" as something extra special. It takes place this Sunday, March 27, from 7 pm to 11 pm at Cleland Theatre, and features a who's who of BC contemporary Indigenous music.
"It's a totally free night of Indigenous music," said Fowler, former artistic and executive director of the ArtsWells Festival. "There's no barrier to entry, and it's an awesome opportunity to hear contemporary Indigenous music. It's not what many of us expect."
"We have some of the top Indigenous acts in BC," added Crawford. "If you like blues, if you like hip-hop, it'll be an amazing musical experience. These are acts that would headline festivals in the summer."
4. Big Night at Cleland
The official ticketed portion of the festival begins April 1 at Cleland Theatre with the "Opening Showcase." The show runs right through to midnight and is underscored by noted children's performer Al Simmons, Indigenous vocalist Kim Gouchie, the crazy dance party orchestra called Balkan Shmalkan, and a virtual welcome from CBC Radio hosts Chris Walker and Sarah Penton.
5. Sculpture Day
The penultimate day of the fair, Saturday April 2, is Sculpture Day. Beginning at high noon at Okanagan Lake Park, "family" groups of up to six people will create sculptures from stuff they've brought with them, like wood, metal, discarded furniture, sand, and, if they have them, moon rocks and alien artifacts.
They have three and a half hours to do it, and the emphasis is on fun rather than sculptural prowess. There'll be refreshments and live music (like Balkan Shmalkan) throughout and a winner selected and photos taken at 3:45 pm.
But Sculpture Day doesn’t forget Penticton's "real" sculpture scene either. Guided tours of the Penticton Public Sculpture Exhibition, spread out across the Okanagan Lake waterfront, will launch from City Hall at 10 am, noon, and 4 pm, and then the winners of the PPSE's People's Choice awards will be revealed at 2pm.
Pre-registration for Sculpture Day is preferred. To do so, or just to find out more, head here.
6. Art Walk
Mass sculpture assembly isn’t the only thing going on during an extremely busy Saturday, April 2. Those who'd rather explore the city's many private galleries and exhibiting artists can do so at their leisure during the 2022 Penticton Lake to Lake Art Walk.
This is one of several events that would exist with or without Ignite the Arts, and is another reason why running the Festival at this time seems to make such good sense.
The Walk encompasses some 33 venues across Penticton and showcases the works of 160-plus regional artists. Refreshments, finger food and music will be available along the way.
For more info on the Walk and a map, head to its website here.
But there's far more to the Festival than these six highlights. There are kids art camps, a songwriting camp, an anti-racism roundtable at Dream Café, a belly-dancing workshop, a PechaKucha night, a festival of one-minute plays at Tempest Theatre, a bunch of live painting demonstrations on the final weekend, a launch of new programs at the Okanagan School of the Arts, buskers, and so much more.
And there's Juno award-winning Shirley Gnome, who Fowler claims is "like a female Weird Al, but with more adult content." Then there's Kelowna-based kids entertainers Oot n' Oots, who Fowler says are up for a Juno this year.
Whew.
Is it an ambitious exercise? Yes. But, said Crawford, "We're trying to make it so that anyone who's walking around downtown during that time just can't avoid it. It's just about getting people involved. It's about bringing together all our communities and organizations.
"A rising tide floats all boats."
For more information on how to float your own boat at the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival and a full rundown of all events, venues and performers, go to the website here.
