Community united by ‘ heart and soul’

Culture Days

Friday to Sunday | Various venues

Info: bc. culturedays.ca

If you’re fond of cultural activities — and, really, who isn’t? — B. C.’ s Culture Days this weekend might be just the ticket.

More than 450 free events and activities are planned around the province from Friday to Sunday, inviting people to engage with the arts and artists in their communities in a different way.

“This is a pan- Canadian event that’s encouraging the celebration of arts and artists throughout the country through free events for the general public ranging from very formal kinds of activities to informal behind- thescenes activities,” said Lucille Pacey, president and CEO of Arts Umbrella, and chair of the BC Culture Days task force. “The intention is to make arts more accessible to the general public.”

Pacey said B. C. stood out this year because “we’re tracking with the largest numbers of activities in terms of growth and ( creativity). There are lots of interesting things happening in B. C.”

In Kelowna, for example, artists of all disciplines — dancers, storytellers, visual artists and musicians — are working together. “They put all their names in a hat and then do collaborations with groups of three.”

In Vancouver, she added, the Arts Club Theatre is celebrating its 50th anniversary, “and they’re doing a huge set of activities that are encouraging people to come backstage and do a walking tour of their facilities.”

Culture Days, which includes everything from street art to high art, and pop culture to traditional culture, will be celebrated in hundreds of Canadian cities and towns, including 46 B. C. communities.

Mayors and councils in Vancouver, Victoria, Richmond, Surrey, Ladysmith, Duncan, North Vancouver and Kelowna have officially proclaimed Culture Days. Events are also taking place in Delta, New Westminster, White Rock, Tsawwassen, Maple Ridge, Port Moody and Fort Langley.

B. C. activities include visual arts, music, dance, theatre, heritage, film and video, literature, culinary arts and new media.

Surrey has a huge program of activities, including dancers and musicians, while Richmond began its celebrations last Saturday, Pacey said.

So why is culture so important for communities?

“I think it’s the heart and soul of community. It provides a voice for everyone to come together and get past the colour of individuals, the financial circumstances of individuals,” Pacey said.

“I think people don’t really understand how much they’re touched by art and culture on a day- to- day basis.”