Sunshine Music Festival, which takes place at Palm Beach in qathet Regional District on Labour Day weekend, is on par with any world-class music event in BC and Canada, and yet flies a little under the radar.
Now in its 40th year, this popular, nonprofit festival is outdoing itself with a spectacular lineup of musicians, including a few who now call the qathet region their home.
“The two-day festival has been run here in Powell River for over 40 years by a devoted team of volunteers who are passionate about celebrating music,” said festival promotions coordinator Nicole Farley. “I remember coming to the festival with my family when I was a kid.”
This year is no different, except for the fact that the festival has a new music director in Sophia Sanford, a qathet musician and artist who is bringing her fresh take and connection to youth, diversity and the music world.
Sunshine Music Festival is a place to dance, according to organizers, and this year’s beats range from psychedelic surf from Alberta musicians Bad Buddy to Toronto-based West Indian crossover SOCA music (calypso) and reggae mix group The Band Destiny. On another musical spectrum, the festival offers sounds from award-winning Métis singer-songwriter Cynthia Harmer and indie-folk musician Tennyson King from Hong Kong.
A guaranteed crowd pleaser, according to Farley, is the band CALICO, which takes inspiration from Bob Dylan, The War on Drugs and Nathaniel Rateliff.
Local musician Dennis Bouwman is a featured musician on Saturday, September 2. He is described as a “sweet, gritty, blue-collar songwriter with a fantastic voice.”
Local multidisciplinary artist Theo Angell will also hit the stage Saturday with his style described as “freak-folk weird Americana tunes with gospel roots.”
“This year we are also offering a vocal workshop on Friday, September 1st, with one of our artists, the della kit,” said Farley. “The festival is zero waste and we offer folks reusable cups, plates and cutlery onsite, and we encourage everyone to bring their own water bottles and cups along, too.”
The festival offers day passes, weekend passes with student and senior pricing, and children under 12 are admitted for free.
With a setting on the beautiful beachfront of Palm Beach Regional Park, the weekend will not disappoint, said Farley. Food and art vendors will also be at the festival for perusing.
“We invite the audience to take in world-class music, enjoy the beach, dance and have a good time,” said Farley.
To find out more about the festival and Friday’s vocal lesson, go to sunshinemusicfest.ca
