2015 Harmony Arts Festival highlights
For its 25th anniversary, West Vancouver’s Harmony Arts Festival has some special events planned, along with its usual smorgasbord of music, food and cultural happenings. Here are a few highlights:
• 25 Artists, 25 Years: Inspired by the surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, 25 Artists, 25 Years is a collaboration between 25 artists creating one continuous painting. Each artist creates their work with the theme, medium and style of their choice on a 24x24-inch canvas or wood panel. The results can be viewed inside of the Ferry Building Gallery.
• Pop-Up Marina: Visitors arriving by water can reserve a spot offshore, from where they will be whisked to Club 25. The space offers complimentary drinks and information packages.
• Cinema in the Park: Nightly screenings for the 10 days of the festival in John Lawson Park kick off with Mamma Mia. Casablanca, Dirty Dancing and The Princess Bride are among the other movies being screened.
• Fresh St. Art Market: More than 60 artists and artisans display their work on both weekends of the festival. The one-of-a-kind original artworks on display and for purchase including photography, textiles, jewelry, glass and woodwork. • Dal Richards’ Orchestra: With 50 free concerts and 150 musicians, this year’s festival is chock-full of live music. Dal Richards’ Orchestra makes its 12th appearance in a row at the festival, with other musical highlights that include local Celtic rockers The Paperboys and up-and-coming acts such as The Tourist Company and Madeline Merlo. • Best of the West: Among the festivals’ many food events, Best of the West on Ambleside Pier is perhaps the most anticipated. The annual one-night event pairs dishes from 12 of the Lower Mainland’s best restaurants with wine from 12 B.C. wineries.