MAKE THE ARTS PART OF SUMMER

Nearing the halfway point of July, summer is slipping away. And so are the chances for you and your family to make some musical and theatrical memories this season.

During tougher economic times, arts and cultural groups are often among the first to feel the tightening of the purse strings. It is important for members of the community to step up and fill the seats, stands and galleries to ensure the province is truly a beautiful place to live.

A great way to explore the province is to check out an event or concert in a community that is new to you and your household.

If you are from Saskatoon, head down to the Regina Folk Festival in Victoria Park to catch Saskatchewan’s own Buffy Sainte-Marie and a great musical lineup. If you are from Regina, Saskatoon’s Fringe Festival is full of quirky, fun and thoughtful theatre centred around the colourful Broadway district.

But there are plenty of cool events to find in the smaller cities and rural areas. The Ness Creek Music Festival near Big River offers world-class music this weekend in a setting that celebrates Saskatchewan’s boreal forest. The Gateway Music Festival in Bengough offers a wide selection of music later this month, from alternative to country to classic rock.

There are plenty of opportunities for fun and educational outings, as many artisans open up their studios to not only show what they create, but how. The Saskatchewan Craft Council website is promoting a national movement that asks, “Are you a Citizen of Craft?” If you respect the original, the personal and the authentic, the answer is yes. The movement is meant to encourage people to support to unique work artisans create. This is a citizenship that is accessible and valuable.

After months of waiting, Saskatoon is looking forward to the opening of the world-class Remai Modern this fall. But in the meantime, the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina is open for summer traffic, as are many smaller and private galleries across the province. The Shurniak

Art Gallery in Assiniboia is renowned for its impressive permanent collection of Canadian works.

It’s hard to beat being tucked in for a road trip on a summer day with blankets of yellow canola, green unripe wheat and blue flax fields. The countryside is a work of art in itself. But to hit the highway with a musical or artistic destination in mind is a terrific way to make a good day great.