The 2nd annual Elevate Art Festival has arrived and things are heating up
…(both the weather and the energy) for a cultural critical mass in the heart of the Comox Valley! Elevate is a grass roots, multidisciplinary, DIY, FREE event taking place in Downtown Courtenay this week featuring an incredible mix of unique cultural activities – from circus arts, dance and choirs to projections, photos, puppets and fire!
Tues-Thur events include a spoken word jam – WordPlay – Wednesday at Union Street Grotto.Thursday features Tribal Cafe, a Middle Eastern dance event at the Courtenay Legion ; the I, Braineater Art Opening at the Muir Gallery; Media Art and Social Change – Art Talk at the Comox Valley Art Gallery and Delinquency, a massive youth music showcase at the Venue Formerly Known As Joe’s Garage.
On Friday June 7th the celebration really kicks into high gear with a big all ages community street dance in Simms Alley from 5:30 till 9 with the Quest Drumming Group, local faves the Des Larson Trio and Juno award winning Reggae artist Elaine L’il Bit Shepard!
Also on Friday Night is cultural ‘curve-ball’ Mind of a Snail Puppet Theatre in the Lower CVAG with shows at 5 pm or 9 pm. Don’t miss their unique version of shadow puppets! Or head to the Venue Formerly Known As Joe’s Garage for Right to be Wild, a compelling punk rock retrospective featuring art and media film (including a screening of the award winning film “Bloodied but Unbowed”) from 9 pm till 11 pm. Or head to the Bridge for some Island rock with The Deep Sea Gypsies and National Tape from 10 till late!
Saturday June 8th from 10 am right through till the wee hours spend the day downtown and discover the cultural heart of the community at work and at play. Make it a family day, bring the kids and explore Courtenay from a whole new perspective! Extreme craft fairs, vendors, kids activities, hula hoops, puppet workshops, demos, hands on art projects, live music (with local and visiting musicians) and so much more will fill the alleys and alcoves all day long. At 5 pm Duncan Ave hosts a Daytime Finale featuring Letz Sing Choir, the Kumugwe Dancers and 7 Story Circus.
Saturday Evening will feature a Culture Crawl from 6 pm till 9:30 – with live music in the venues and on the streets all over downtown. Then head back to Duncan Ave for an amazing fire dance performance from Vesta Fire. Culture fans can cap off an incredible Saturday with an all ages Hip Hop Show at Joe’s Garage, an open mic at Billy D’s or a huge gig at the bridge with House of David Gang, known as “Canada’s #1 Roots Reggae Orchestra” and joined by local beat queens Sista Sully and Pleena. Limited tickets are $10 in advance with doors at 9:00 pm.
The Elevate Arts Festival is the culmination of the efforts of over 300 volunteers, musicians, performers, artists, creators and sponsors. The event is a colourful expression of the vibrancy and passion of the Comox Valley community – as artists, hosts, volunteers, businesses, presenters and advocates for the arts.
“Are you the audience or are you the event?” Elevate is all about breaking barriers between culture creators and culture consumers. It’s about encouraging thinking beyond our traditional ideas of audience and artists and instead bringing creators and culture lovers together for exchange, celebration and exciting discoveries.