The 2024 Harrison Festival Program Booklet

Produced by the Harrison Festival Society for 45 years, the Harrison Festival of the Arts is known world-wide for its professional artistry and small town hospitality. It is and will remain a beacon for growing acceptance of diversity and purpose-fueled arts programming.

Harrison Festival Society Box 399, 98 Rockwell Dr Harrison Hot Springs, BC, V0M 1K0 www.harrisonfestival.com info@harrisonfestival.com 604.796.3664

Plaza • on the weekends, Harrison Lake Plaza is the main Festival Info/ Sales Centre. Tickets and buttons are available here. Beach Stage • located on the grass at the edge of the Plaza. Memorial Hall • located at 290 Esplanade Ave, one block east of the Plaza. Artisan Market • spread out along the waterfront each weekend. Look for the colourful tents along the paved walkway. Festival Office/Art Exhibit • located at the Ranger Station Art Gallery (98 Rockwell Dr). Open 9am to 5pm daily during the Festival. Tickets and program info are available here as well.

Acknowledgments

The Harrison Festival wishes to recognize its partners and sponsors whose generous support has enabled us to present the 2023 Festival.

Funding Partners

Media Partners

Hospitality Partners

Community Partners

Agassiz Agricultural & Horticultural Association | Breathing Space Creative

Black Forest Restaurant | The Hawthorne Foundation | Diane Jacobi

The Springs RV Resort | Christine Zyla | Bella Vista Restaurant | Globe Printers

Harrison Corner Café | | Crystal Spirit Healing | Kent Harrison Arts Council

Mission Folk Fest Society | Valley Water | Milos Greek Taverna

Len Davidiuk Tax Services| Muddy Waters Café | Old Settler Pub | CSOPA

Vista Shades | Little Mountain Greenhouses | Chilliwack Players Guild

Prospera Credit Union | Sacred Energy Medicine Massage

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the sacred land on which we gather, as the unceded territory of the Sts’ailes Peoples.

The Agassiz ❖ Harrison

Welcome to the 45th Harrison Festival of the Arts!

All the planning of the past 12 months is finally coming to fruition, as we present another round of indoor and outdoor performances, an artisan market, an art exhibit, theatre performances, workshops, and much more.

This anniversary year we are bringing back several artists who have graced our stages before - folks like Harry Manx, Locarno, Murray Porter, Barney Bentall, Leela Gilday and Shooglenifty. Along with including these familiar names, we also delight in presenting exciting discoveries from the world of music, from Afropop to Zydeco! Some artists who will be making their Harrison debuts in our hall this year are established global music stars with decades of touring and performing experience - including singer Dobet Gnahoré from Ivory Coast and Northumbrian piper/fiddler Kathryn Tickell with her band The Darkening. The beach stage is full of exciting discoveries, such as trio Zar Electrik, with their mix of electronic, Maghrebi, and sub-Saharan sounds, Maryna Krut, a captivating Ukrainian singer and bandura player, and the powerful Latin rock of Kansas City's Making Movies. Amidst all this international flavour, we have a strong contingent of outstanding Canadian talent, from BC singer songwriter Suzie Ungerleider to brother and sister duo Sechile Sedare. And the list goes on, just read on in this booklet!

The first Harrison Festival of the Arts was in 1978. As we launch into another 9 days of performances, we are so proud of the longevity of our organization, a continuing legacy that we would not achieve without the incredible support we enjoy - from audience members, volunteers, casual staff, government, sponsors, and community partners. We, the Harrison Festival Society staff and board, thank you profusely for your continued patronage, and endeavour to do what we can to keep the Harrison Festival of the Arts thriving for years to come - even way past the 50th!

Enjoy those festival vibes,

Andy Hillhouse Artistic and Executive Director

Tickets & Admission

Early Bird deadline is June 17th

* Excluding Children’s Day admission.

Music on the Beach, Artisan Market, and Art Exhibit admission is with a $2 FESTIVAL BUTTON, one button for each day of the Festival. Souvenir buttons are available for $20 and are good for the entire Festival. Festival buttons are a great way to support the Festival. If you are able to make a larger donation when buying your button(s), that would be very much appreciated.

Tickets are available online at www.harrisonfestival. com, by phone 604.796.3664 or in person at the Ranger Station Art Gallery (98 Rockwell Dr, Harrison Hot Springs).

harrisoncornercafe.net harrisoncornercafe.net

Photo Cred: HASLETPHOTO

Evenings in the Hall

Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble

Saturday, July 13th @ 8:00pm

Curley Taylor and his band, Zydeco Trouble, hail from the heart of Creole country in Louisiana. Curley’s soulful, bluesy vocals and the band’s hard driving zydeco beat blend to create their unique groove that keeps audiences dancing. Born into a musical family, drums were Curley’s first instrument. He began his professional career at age 16 by playing drums with his father’s band, Jude Taylor and the Burning Flames, a band steeped in Louisiana blues, soul, and zydeco. A career playing for luminaries such as Steve Riley and CJ Chenier followed, however a deep passion to learn the accordion led him to becoming a leader in his own right, resulting in his style of music that is true to its roots in zydeco and blues, yet contemporary enough to appeal to a broad range of music lovers.

Harry Manx | Sunday, July 14th @ 7:30pm

“Mysticssippi” blues man Harry Manx has been called an “essential link” between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. He has created a unique sound that is hard to forget and deliciously addictive to listen to. A Harrison Festival favourite, Harry spent years in India, spending deep study with inventor of the 20 stringed Mohan Veena, Vishwan Mohan Bhatt. He wedded that with a unique and soulful approach to songwriting that was steeped in a blues background. As he says “There are some ragas that sound bluesy, and there are ways to bend strings while playing blues that sound Indian. I may be forcing the relationship between the two musical cultures, but I keep thinking they were made for each other. That leads me to more and more experimentation. The journey has been great so far.”

Monday, July 15th @ 7:30pm

Locarno is no stranger to the Harrison Festival. It is the Latin project of Juno Award winning musician, Tom Landa. Like him, the music is equal parts Mexican and Canadian. Tom gained fame as the leader of folk-rock band The Paperboys, but has always dabbled in Latin music. In 2005, he decided to immerse himself more into the genre and started working on material for an album. In 2006 he was awarded a Canada Council grant to study traditional Mexican Music in Veracruz, Mexico. Tom spent his days learning the jarana (an 8 string guitar), and learning songs from the Son Jarocho repertoire. Upon his return to Canada, Tom started working on what would be Locarno’s debut CD. Since then the band has honed in on their sound and incorporated more of their influences such as music from Columbia, African Sukous, Mexican Marimba Music, Venezuelan Joropo and Brazilian Forro Music. Perhaps where the band shines the most is in the live shows that feature Tom Landa on jaranas and guitars, Kalissa Landa on violin, Robin Layne on marimba, congas and timbales, Pedro Mota on guitar and vocals, Aaron McKinney on bass, Liam MacDonald on drums, congas and pandero, Mark D’Angelo on trumpet and Nick La Rivere on trombone.

Christine Zyla Christine Zyla cmzyla@gmail.com | 604-860-9963 www.transforminginhope.ca TM

Transformational tools include: Emotional Success Coaching, EFT (Tapping) Mindful Self-compassion, Thetahealing, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy,

The Evening of Theatre this year will include performances from two of the Fraser Valley's finest theatre training programs, the Chilliwack School of the Performing Arts and the UFV Theatre Department.

CSOPA:

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

The intermediate Stage class embarks on a wild and wacky challenge. Stepping into their narrating shoes, the cast will attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fastpaced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother.

UFV:

Trifles, by playwright Susan Glaspell directed by Brian Cahil and Tavleen Grewal

"Trifles" is a play set in early 20th century midwest U.S., focusing on the investigation of Minnie Wright's suspected murder of her husband, John. While men search the house for clues, their wives delve into Minnie's life, uncovering key evidence dismissed by the men as insignificant "trifles." The play highlights gender dynamics and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. Minnie's character is central, symbolizing the silent suffering of many women.

Twitch, written by Stephen Gregg and directed by Sterling Kai Pollock

In the 1970s, a suburban, middle-class couple, Nancy and Don, engage in a tense argument about their neighbours, Aiden and Emma, whom Nancy distrusts. Aiden and Emma's peculiar behaviour only heightens Nancy's suspicions. Nancy and Don become determined to unveil their neighbours' secrets. With tensions rising, they embark on a quest to uncover the truth before it's too late, facing uncertain consequences in their idyllic community.

Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening

Wednesday, July 17th @ 8:00pm

Named after the old Northumbrian word for twilight, The Darkening comprises four North-East Englandbased members: Kathryn Tickell(Northumbrian smallpipes, fiddle, vocals), Amy Thatcher(accordion, synth, clogs, vocals), Kieran Szifris (octave mandolin), Joe Truswell (drums, percussion, programming) and Josie Duncan from the Isle of Lewis (vocals, clarsach). Their inspiration comes from the wild, dramatic, weather-bitten countryside along Hadrian’s Wall, which seems so quintessentially Northumbrian… and yet, almost 2000 years ago that same landscape was inhabited by people from around the world, worshipping different gods and following different customs. Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening explore the connecting threads of music, landscape and people in the region, with ancient songs magnetically pulled into the 21st century by Amen-inspired breakbeats, ominous sounding vocals, and the wildest of piping from the world renowned Tickell, who has recorded on six of Sting’s albums, and with luminaries from The Chieftains to Alan Parsons.

Qairo | Thursday, July 18th @ 8:00pm

Qairo is a fiery and dynamic ensemble that combines the emotionally charged vocals and pulsing rhythms of flamenco with the infectious melodies and ear-popping tonalities of the Mediterranean diaspora. Journeying from Spain to Turkey (with stops along the way), Qairo’s music is for dancing — no matter where you’re from. It contains Turkish micro-tones played on a saxophone, original flamenco verses “sung” by a clarinet, Balkan rhythms punctuated by Andalucian guitar, and flamenco footwork pounded out like improvised jazz. Qairo is guitar, oud, clarinet, saxophone, drums, electric bass, cante (flamenco song) and baile (flamenco dance) acting like they belong on stage together — and pulling it off.

Shooglenifty

| Friday, July 19th @ 8:00pm

Shooglenifty was formed in 1990 by musicians from the Scottish Highlands, Orkney and Edinburgh. Its bright spark was the idea of fusing traditional and traditionalsounding melodies with the beats and basslines of a mixed bag of more contemporary influences. As happy playing a small highland village hall as they are on an outdoor festival stage playing to tens of thousands, the Shoogles (as they’re known to their fans) have promoted Scottish music all over the world for three decades. The band has had a long-standing mutual love affair with west coast Canadian audiences, and we are thrilled to have their singular brand of “acid croft” music back in Harrison after several decades.

Dobet Gnahoré

| Saturday, July 20th @ 8:00pm

Grammy winner Dobet Gnahoré is one of Africa's hottest and most beloved talents. With her amazing voice, incredible dance moves, powerful presence, and colorful style sense, Dobet Gnahoré appeals to fans of Angelique Kidjo, Yemi Alade, Fatoumata Diawara and other divas of African music. While Africa has blessed the world with many recognized female artists, Dobet Gnahoré has proven herself to be a truly special talent. Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Dobet is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her country in exciting new directions. Dobet is well-known for her jaw-dropping dance moves, powerful stage presence and richly emotional vocal style. She will be performing with her four-piece band.

Barney Bentall

| Sunday, July 21st @ 7:30pm

Barney Bentall is a household name in Canada, building on the success he has had with his band, The Legendary Hearts, who sold over half a million records, won a Juno, and were radio favourites across the country in the 80s and 90s. But Barney is much more than an established rock and roll icon. Drawing on a life that has included being a Cariboo rancher, an adventure tour guide, and a family man, he has continued writing and performing songs in a more acoustic vein, with his master storytelling, songwriting chops, and distinctive voice. He has been at the festival before with some of his other projects, such as the High Bar Gang and Bentall, Taylor, Ulrich, however this year we will be treated to some of Barney’s catalogue of great songs, delivered by him, his son Dustin, and Dustin’s partner Trixie.

Children's Day

Come play and experience the world of performing arts! Drop into the activity stations and explore music, drama & physical arts! Enjoy three different live performances on our outdoor and indoor stages. A full day of interactive activities and performances.

Wednesday, July 17th 11:00am - 4:00pm | Harrison Memorial Hall Admission : $6.00 (Children 3 & under are free, group rates available)

On the Hall Stage:

Performances

Bobs & Lolo - 11:45am & 1:45pm Popular family singer songwriters

On the Outdoor Stage:

Twin Embers - 12:30pm & 2:30pm Dynamic fiddle duo sure to get you up and dancing.

Cosmo Circus - 11:00am & 1:15pm Hilarity and levity from clown Melissa Aston.

Ongoing Activities

Acting Out | Join in & dress up for dramatic activities. Craft Central | Playful crafts for you to wear or use. Play Zone | Free play for little ones to explore. Games Party | Play some games on the grass with friends | Crafty Beading Join the Chilliwack Optimists for some fun beading. Climbing Wall | Climb to the top of the mountain with a safe and fun climbing wall.

Children's Day would not be possible without the generous support of the following sponsors and donors:

Agassiz-Harrison Lions Club | Fraser Valley Library Chilliwack School of Performing Arts | Petcurean Pet Foods | Prospera Credit Union RE/Max Nyda Realty | District of Kent | Hub International Insurance Brokers

CUSTOM BRANDED PRODUCTS

Opening Ceremony

Saturday, July 13th @ 12:00pm at the Beach Stage

Harrison Hot Springs is situated within the traditional territory of the Sts'ailes First Nation, and the festival will begin with a traditional welcome to this land and a cultural presentation from the Sasquatch Dancers.

Photo Credit: Haslett Photo

Our History

The Harrison Festival Society is an independent, charitable, not-for-profit organization with a Board and paid staff. The organization came into being at the end of the 1970s, and can trace its birth to three founding entities: Fraser Valley College (now UFV), the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, and the KentHarrison Arts Council. The local Rotary Club also played a crucial role in the early years. The currently stable structure of the organization and Festival as it exists today was spearheaded by the visionary work of Phyllis Stenson (ED/AD) and Ed Stenson (GM), and supported by the many Board members over the years. The Society's main event is the Harrison Festival of the Arts each July, but the Society also produces a Season of the Performing Arts in Harrison from September to May. Over the history of the organization there has been sacrifice, experimentation, and risk undertaken by a lot of dedicated peopleand with it a lot of heart, thought, and plain old hard work. The festival is now under the direction of Executive/Artistic Director Andy Hillhouse, General Manager Bryan Cutler, and Bookkeeper/Administrator/ Market Coordinator Jenny Andrie.

FRASER RIVER HERITAGE PARK

BIG LITTLE LIONS (BC/OH) DEVIN CUDDY BAND (ON) FESTIVAL CHOIR (BC+)

FRÄNDER (SWEDEN/ESTONIA) CONOR GAINS (ON) GIN AND TALL TALES (BC)

GROUND EFFECT (BC) HOT DAMN SCANDAL (WA) JACKSON HOLLOW (BC)

MIA KELLY (QC) KOBO TOWN (ON/TRINIDAD) GRAHAM LINDSEY (ON)

CATHERINE MACLELLAN (PEI) CRYS MATTHEWS (NC) MOIRA & CLAIRE (NS)

GILLIAN MORANZ (BC/AB) THE MARCUS MOSELY ENSEMBLE (BC) THE PAIRS (ON)

JERRON “BLIND BOY” PAXTON (CA) PIQSIQ (NWT) PODORYTHMIE (WA)

RECYCHESTRA WITH BORIS SICHON (BC) SHAUIT (QC) ETIENNE SIEW (BC)

STRONG BOW & WRY (BC) JESSE WALDMAN AND BEAU WHEELER (BC)

Photo Credit: Haslettphoto

45th Annual Harrison Festival of the Arts

1:00pm North Shore Celtic Ensemble

2:20pm Murray Porter

3:40pm BuenRostro

5:00pm Cara Luft

1:00pm Empanadas Ilegales

2:20pm Kitty and the Rooster

3:40pm Cara Luft

Gallery Opening Reception/Tea

7:00pm Festival Opening

Fine China Friday, July 12th

Darren Charlie Saturday, July 20th 12:00am -1:00pm

Join Indigenous elder Darren Charlie at the Beach stage for an informative talk about the history of Harrison on the sacred and unceded territory of the Sts'ailes First Peoples.

Saturday July 13 Sunday July 14 Monday July 15 Tuesday July 16 Memorial Hall

1:00pm Spark the Fire: Intro to Novel Writing 11:00am Harmony Singing wth Cara Luft 1:00pm Because Music was Made to Dance 8:00pm Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble 7:30pm Harry Manx 7:30pm Locarno 8:00pm Evening of Theatre 11am-6pm Artisan Market 11am-5pm Artisan Market

9am - 5pm daily Art Exhibit featuring The Fine China Exhibit is a collection of local, Waterfront Beach Stage

5:00pm BuenRostro 6:30pm Jackson Hollow

Saturday, July 13th @ 12:00pm Traditional Sts’ailes welcome with The Sasquatch Dancers 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach

Stay in the know! Follow for any last minute

Arts - 2024 Programming Schedule

Hollow

6:30pm Suzie Ungerleider 6:30pm Fränder

Wednesday July 17 Thursday July 18 Friday July 19 Saturday July 20 Sunday July 21 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach 9:00am Yoga on Beach Beach

2:00pm Fränder 3:20pm Jay Gilday 6:30pm Zar Electrik 1:00pm Tower of Song 2:20pm Leela Gilday 3:40pm Tio Chorinho 5:00pm Robin Layne & the Rhythm Makers 1:00pm Sechile Sedare 2:20pm Tio Chorinho 3:40pm Maryna Krut 5:00pm Making Movies

11am - 4pm Children’s Day with Bobs & Lolo 1:00pm The Wide Wide World of Brazilian Music 11:00am Ukulele Gathering 1:00pm Indigenous Drum Making

8:00pm Kathryn Tickell & the Darkening 8:00pm Qairo 8:00pm Shooglenifty 8:00pm Dobet Gnahoré 7:30pm Barney Bentall 12pm-7pm Artisan Market 11am-6pm Artisan Market 11am-5pm Artisan Market

featuring Fine China - Ranger Station Art Gallery local, interesting and historical pieces of china within the local area.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram minute scheduling updates & changes!

Artisan Market

This vibrant Artisan Market showcases the diverse skill and creativity of some of BC's finest artisans and designers. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you stroll and shop amongst a dazzling array of genuinely handcrafted items. Pottery, jewelry, glass, clothing, painting, woodwork, food and much more.

Under the tents along the waterfront

July 13, 14 and 19,20,21

Friday 12pm-7pm

Saturdays 11am-6pm

Sundays 11am-5pm

For a full list of our artisans, including links to any available websites or pages, please visit our website at www.harrisonfestival.com/festival/artisan-market

Yoga On the Beach

Back and better than ever, we have Yoga on the Beach daily July 13th - 21st at 9:00am - 10:00am by the Beach Stage. A creative blend of experiences... the precision of the Iyengar tradition, the flow of a Vinyasa class, and the deep realization of Ancient Kriya

Join Elizabeth each day to inspire the mind, awaken the body, and enlighten the spirit.

The Crystal Spirit mission statement is to bring peace and balance into the lives of this community and beyond, helping them achieve health and wellness of mind and body. Offering a wide range of healing methods all rooted in culture and knowledge that comes from wisdom and the heart.

Known in the community for a compassionate approach and experience adapting classes to meet individual needs, Elizabeth offers a supportive and welcoming space, where students of all ages and physical abilities can come to unwind and explore the healing benefits of Kriya Yoga.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya is a system which deals directly with the mind, its structure and dynamics. Embodied within it is a mystical psychology which offers a profound recognition of how we create, sustain, and dissolve the circumstances of our life.

Sessions are only $6 each. No registration is required but can be made at harrisonfestival.com. Sessions are appropriate for all skill levels. Bring your own mats and be prepared to take in the sweet fresh lake air.

Music on the Beach

North Shore Celtic Ensemble |

Saturday, July 13th @ 1:00pm

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble has a dual mandate: to inspire youth to do more and go further with music, and to use music to build and strengthen community connections. What started in 1998 with a Celtic focus is now a spirited, no-boundaries exploration of various styles of fiddle music. The result is a full-spectrum music experience that defies labels and spans conventional genres. Original compositions draw on Celtic, classical, jazz and folk influences, along with creative arrangements of more traditional Celtic tunes. The North Shore Celtic Ensemble has released seven CDs, and has toured across North America, Europe, and China, performed regularly for local concerts and festivals, and has supported a number of charitable programs through their Community Concert Series. More than just a performing group, the North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a meeting place for youth to explore and share music, and is led by fiddler Gabriel Dubreuil (Early Spirit, Collage Trad).

Saturday, July 13th @ 2:20pm

Bluesman Murray Porter’s music career has taken him all over the world for the last 35 plus years. He’s a proud Mohawk man from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in southern Ontario, who now lives on Squamish Nation territory in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Murray may have a blues soul to the core, but he also grew up on rock and roll, R & B, and country music. Porter’s first CD since his 2012 Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year is titled, “STAND UP!” and reflects these early musical influences. His new music is a little bit of protest, a little bit of love, and a little bit of fun. Murray’s voice is as smooth as a velvet growl and he has been compared to Dr. John, Joe Cocker and even Elton John! Robbie Robertson called Porter “a master bluesman.”

BuenRostro

Saturday, July 13th @ 3:40pm & Sunday, July 14th @ 5:00pm

BuenRostro was formed in 2010 in San Pedro Atocpan, on Mexico City’s southern edge. These six musicians take traditional Mexican music as the axis of creation, and flow from there between genres and time periods. You may hear a ranchera song with rock riffs, a Cardenche song with blues tinges, progressive rock mixed with son calentano from the Tierra Caliente region, or a punk merengue. These styles form the soundtrack to a show full of theatricality. Buenrostro beautifully addresses humanity’s impact on the planet with upcycled garments and stage scenery made of recycled bottles and clothing, integrating characters inspired by world cultural traditions.

Murray Porter

Cara Luft

Saturday, July 13th @ 5:00pm & Sunday, July 14th @ 3:40pm

Juno award winning singer-songwriter-musician Cara Luft is that rare artist steeped in folk and traditional roots music almost from birth, yet willing to alter the fabric, stretch the boundaries and fearlessly bend genres and styles. A founding member of Canadian folk super-group The Wailin' Jennys and the brainchild behind Winnipeg's acclaimed powerhouse duo The Small Glories, Luft deserves her solid reputation as one of Canada’s finest live performers, armed with amazing tenacity, vision, energy and a contagious hilarity. Cara has a spirit that drives her to connect with people, and for this she is loved everywhere she goes. Cara’s the real deal, there’s nothing pretentious about her. And that sense of honesty, integrity, personality and spontaneity permeates both her music and her live shows.

Empanadas Ilegales |

Sunday, July 14th @ 1:00pm

Empanadas Ilegales is a 7-piece, Vancouverbased Psychedelic Cumbia & Salsa band that will transport you to a world of contagious groovy melodies and altered sounds. Influenced by traditional Amazonian, LatinCaribbean, and Andean psychedelic classics, they create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that's perfect for letting loose on the dance floor. With their infectious beats and unique sound, Empanadas Ilegales will keep you moving all night long. Their latest record, "Creepy Mambo," layers cumbia rhythms, hypnotic guitar melodies, and experimental salsa saxophone lines with surf-rock/freejazz fusion. The album pays homage to cumbia cult classics and brings their grooves to the post-pandemic 21st century with experimental synthesizer sounds, slinky dub grooves, and feverish percussion excursions.

Kitty

& The Rooster| Sunday, July 14th @ 2:20pm

Kitty & The Rooster is a surf rock n’ roll duo from Vancouver featuring Jodie Ponto on the stand-up cocktail drumkit and Noah Walker on electric guitar. They are known for their big sound, laugh out loud lyrics, and ridiculously fun shows. Kitty & The Rooster has toured all across Canada, played a cluck-ton of festivals including Vancouver Folk Fest, opened for Shannon & The Clams, and released an album called One Gig Hard Drive. Their new album Ain’t Pussyfootin’ Around is out now!

Jackson Hollow | Tuesday, July 16th @ 6:30pm

This is what happens when four of the industry's finest from British Columbia, Canada get together to create a traditional bluegrass blend of heart-wrenching lead vocals and dead-on harmonies, backed by instrumental talent.

Described as having a voice that “stops traffic”, the group’s co-founder is lead vocalist Tianna Lefebvre, a 4-time BC Country Music Association Award winner – including the Female Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award winner – who has performed with renowned artists such as Shania Twain, Michelle Wright, and Russell deCarle. The band’s fiddle and mandolin player – and co-founder of this husband and wife-led band – is Mike Sanyshyn, who holds four Provincial Fiddle Champion titles and placed in the top three at the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. Rounding out the band are two more shining talents: BCCMA music award winner and Juno nominee Charlie Frie on the upright bass and vocals, and Juno nominee and Canadian Folk Music award winner Eric Reed on guitar and banjo. The band’s latest album, Roses, was nominated for a 2024 Juno Award.

Suzie Ungerleider |

Wednesday, July 17th @ 6:30pm

Suzie Ungerleider’s gloriously emotive, crystalline voice and her bewitching performances have captivated audiences for over 25 years. A wordsmith with a keen mind for detail and a wicked sense of humour, Suzie’s songs and voice pierce the heart, inspire a knowing laugh or a welling of the eye. Born in the USA and raised in Vancouver, Canada, this award-winning singer-songwriter began performing under the name Oh Susanna in the mid-1990s, winning instant praise for her striking voice and poetic songcraft. Her musical path has criss-crossed the mountains and valleys of Americana, folk, and roots, yet throughout her journey she has remained true to her own artistic vision.

Fränder

| Thursday, July 18th @ 6:30pm & Friday, July 19th @ 2:00pm

Fränder is a band from Sweden and Estonia that brings rock energy and invention to the traditional music of their home countries. Their music is commanding and intensely spirited, but at the same time nuanced and mystical. Its melodies and rhythms strongly evoke the magical beauty of their northern woodlands and their deep cultural roots. According to the band, “We are energized by, and find creative freedom within the expressive modern sound of nordic traditional music. But we have never been interested in merely reproducing the past, instead we strive to find new ways back into the future.” Their name evokes a sense of kinship, and comes from an old Swedish word referring to family, and beyond that to fellow human beings in general.

Jay Gilday

| Friday, July 19th @ 3:20pm

As a songwriter, Jay Gilday threads together the colours of his own ancestral traditions: Dene spirituals, Irish ballads, Canadian folk, and rock. He was raised in a family of accomplished musicians on the tundra of Yellowknife, where his music electrifies the never-ending days and nights. At once elemental and unearthly, Jay Gilday’s singing is raw and gorgeous, fusing hymnal anguish with driving rhythm and blues.

Jay is currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, and has received a Canadian Folk Music Award for his 2017 album Faster Than Light.

Zar Electrik | Friday,

July 19th @ 6:30pm

Whenever there is a meeting between Gnawa trance music from North Africa, looping sub-Saharan melodies, and bewitching electro sounds, the combination is bound to be explosive. The French/North African techno trio Zar Electrik includes singer instrumentalists Anass Zine and Arthur Peneau on gumbri, oud and electric kora, and Did Miosine on the machines. The enchanting voices and rhythms, bathed in electro colours, result in a powerful call to the dance. Zar Electrik takes you on a captivating trip to the borders of the Maghreb that will invoke an ecstatic and life affirming celebration.

Tower of Song | Saturday, July 20th @ 1:00pm

When Leonard Cohen sang the phrase “the tower of song,” it was a metaphor for the inspiration that flows between songwriters, each toiling away on their own, but connected by their shared craft. Moved by this concept, celebrated BC singer-songwriters Oliver Swain and Glenna Garramone collaborated to produce a project that is both a dialogue through song and a tribute to the legendary songwriter. Re-imagining both rare and classic works of Cohen, the duo has crafted a sound that resonates with both longtime Cohen fans and a younger audience.

Leela Gilday | Saturday, July 20th @ 2:20pm

Leela Gilday has performed frequently at the Harrison Festival, which is a testament to her talent both as a singer songwriter and as a bandleader. In the past she has directed collaborative sessions here with other performers, as well as performing songs from her award-winning recordings, two of which have earned her Juno awards. Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Leela writes about the people and the land that created her. If you’re from the north, Leela’s music is home. If you’ve never been, it will take you there. She is currently working on a Dene language recording that is expected to be released later this year.

Flávia Nascimento &Tio Chorinho

Saturday, July 20th @ 3:40pm & Sunday, July 21st @ 2:20pm

Flávia Nascimento & Tio Chorinho is an epic pairing of two of Canada’s top Brazilian roots music acts. Hailing from the rich musical wellsprings of Bahia in northeastern Brazil, Flávia is a prolific performer at major festivals, concert halls, and street parties everywhere, wowing audiences with her soulful voice and boisterous presence. Harrison Festival fans may remember her from her last visit here in 2016. Tio Chorinho is Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to choro, the “New Orleans Jazz of Brazil.” Fashioning their own distinctive approach to Brazil’s seminal music, listeners are charmed and thrilled by the group’s virtuosity, dynamics and unique repertoire. Together with Flavia they explore Brazil’s original soul music along with their own original tunes.

Robin Layne & the Rhythm Makers

Saturday, July 20th @ 5:00pm

Over the past decade and a half, Juno nominated percussionist Robin Layne has steeped himself in rhythmic traditions around the world, from Cuba, West Africa, Mexico and beyond. He brings these influences to bear in his compositions that are inspired by his travels. Robin is one of Vancouver's busiest percussionists, and has graced the Harrison stage with several ensembles, including Locarno who are also playing the festival this year. His Rhythm Makers project displays his passion and virtuosity on the marimba, with a groove-heavy lineup that includes Daniel Ruiz on drums, Jocelyn Waugh on trumpet, Liam MacDonald on percussion, and Wynston Minckler on bass.

Sechile Sedare

Sunday, July 21st @ 1:00pm

A contemporary roots duo featuring sibling songwriters Leela Gilday and Jay Gilday. Sechile Sedare (pronounced ‘seh-chee-leh’ 'seh-dahr-eh') means ‘my younger brother, my older sister’ in the Dene language. This musical collaboration sees Jay and Leela co-write and co-create new repertoire together, harnessing their talents as deeply insightful and genuine storytellers. Their voices blend in perfect harmony, hitting notes of nostalgia, hope, humour and reflection. The songs, created during lockdown in 2021 and during a residency at the Banff Centre, share stories about their family history, their connection to the land and water, and the twists and turns of fate.

Maryna Krut | Sunday, July 21st @ 3:40pm

Maryna Krut, known widely in her home country as KRUT, is a Ukrainian singer and bandura player. A participant in TV projects X-Factor and The Voice of Ukraine, and a finalist in the national selection for Eurovision 2020, Maryna possesses a stunning voice in combination with the 64 string Ukrainian folk instrument, the bandura. KRUT showcases Ukrainian music by actively touring the world, with acclaimed performances at home and at international festivals.

Making Movies |Sunday, July 21st @ 5:00pm

Making Movies is a Latin Grammy-nominated band whose music focuses on the rhythms of Latin America— African-derived styles like rumba, mambo, merengue, and cumbia —combined with distorted guitars and atmospheric synths. They incorporate both English and Spanish lyrics into their songs, creating a unique and culturally diverse sound. Making Movies has toured with the likes of Enjambre, Rubén Blades, Maldita Vecindad, Los Lobos, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Bomba Estereo, Flor De Toloache, and many more. In 2024, the band is releasing their first live album and concert film, recorded at the historic Folly Theater in Kansas City.

Saturday, July 20th @ 12:00pm | Beach

Stage

Stories and Legends Of The Harrison Sts'ailes Traditional Land

In view of the beautiful Harrison Lake, Darren will share stories and legends of the Harrison from the Sts'ailes oral tradition. He will discuss the pictographs from the area, and the history and meaning that they convey through the generations, including moral teachings and stories of important cosmological beings such as that of Xhalls the transformer.

(Qwetoselten) Darren Charlie from Sts'ailes First Nation is the owner and operator of Sasquatch Tours and Cultural Presentations as well as Sasquatch Drums. Born in 1960, Darren learned a part of the oral tradition about the stories and legends of the Harrison, pictographs of the moral teachings and stories of the people. Darren works for Corrections Services Canada as an Elder Spiritual Advisor, does cultural awareness for corrections staff, and works with incarcerated Indigenous people.

Workshops

Here is a look at our great Workshop Lineup! Most workshops will be held in the Harrison Memorial Hall. Each workshop only costs a $2+ minimum donation to participate with the exception of Drum Making. RSVPing is not required but showing up a few minutes ahead of time is encouraged.

Spark the Fire: Intro to Novel Writing

Saturday. July 13th @ 1pm - 3pm ($2 donation)

Need that extra push to keep yourself writing your book? Have an idea for a novel but you're not sure how to start it? Or, do you have the urge to write but have no story ideas? Join this one-off workshop with local author Abrianna Leaming to get some foundational skills in novel writing. From writing prompts, inspiration advice, to key writing must-haves, you'll walk away from this workshop with either the start of a new story, the strength to continue your current one, or some foundational knowledge on how to write an engaging novel once you've discovered the right idea for you.

Harmony Singing with Cara Luft

Sunday, July 14th @ 11am - 12pm ($2 donation)

Come experience the fun and unique qualities of singing with others in harmony and learn how to capture the essence of a song with your voice. Join Cara for a fun and empowering experience! Everything is taught by ear and learned as a group.

Because Music Was Made to Dance

Sunday, July 14th @ 1pm - 12pm ($2 donation)

A musical tour of the genres and rhythms of traditional Mexican music that have influenced the creation of BuenRostro, as well as its basic dances, tap dances and lyrics. Come, learn a little about our history and tap your feet!

The Wide Wide World of Brazilian Music

Saturday, July 20th @ 1pm - 2pm ($2 donation)

Join Flavia Nascimento and Tio Chorinho for a crash course in the rich musical traditions of Brazil. Learn about the seminal Brazilian style, choro, and how it led to the development of other iconic styles like samba and bossa nova. The artists will discuss iconic artists of Brazilian music history, perform musical examples and teach participants how to dance to Brazilian music.

Ukulele Gathering

Sunday, July 21st @ 11am - 12pm ($2 donation)

Summer is ukulele season; come join enthusiastic locals. Bring a ukulele and good humour to our gathering. We’ll share beginner tips on how to play and gather, then dive in to play old favs and new-to-you tunes. Visit the Festival link or FB’s Harrison Ukulele Gathering to download Play Music on Your Porch songbook.

Indigenous Drum Making

Sunday, July 21st @ 1pm - 3pm

Admission: cost of drum kit

Drums : 7" - $49 | 10"- $69 | 12"- $82.50 | 14"- $105 | 16"- $155

Pre-registration advised. Contact the Festival office at 604.796.3664

Learn the traditional art of drum making from Sts'ailes First Nations member Darren Charlie. Under Darren's guidance each participant will create their own drum. This is always a popular workshop so registration is recommended.

Art Exhibit

The Festival Visual Art Exhibit is on display in the Ranger Station Art Gallery (98 Rockwell Dr) from July 12-.28. Hours during the Festival are 9am to 5pm daily. For the remainder of the month the gallery is open 10am to 4pm weekdays and 1pm to 5pm on weekends.

Fine China

Presented by the Kent Harrison Arts Council and Harrison Festival Society

This year's festival Ranger Station Art Gallery exhibit displays fine porcelain and other chinaware from the personal collections of local Harrison and Agassiz residents. There are few objects in modern homes that combine function and artistry in the ways chinaware does, or that have a history of being used in family rituals, from Sunday dinners to christenings. These objects are tied into intimate family histories, and in this exhibit we aim to bring out some of these personal stories by accompanying pieces with photographs and text, bringing meaning to these objects that are both commonplace and prized in Canadian homes.

Special thanks to Sharon Weeks, Rosa Quintana, and Liz Webber

Welcome to the 45th Annual Harrison Festival of the Arts

Welcome & best wishes to all attendees, participants, and supporters of this remarkable event! The arts hold a special place in my heart, serving as a universal language that connects us across generations, backgrounds, and experiences. They inspire, challenge, and bring joy, fostering a sense of community that is both profound and enduring.

The Harrison Festival of the Arts, now celebrating its 45th year, has become a cornerstone of our community. It’s more than just an event; it's a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the vibrant culture that defines us. This festival has a unique ability to bring together people of all ages, offering something for everyone and enriching our lives in countless ways.

This Festival has been a recipient of the BC Arts Council funding year after year, as well as BC Gaming funding, which contributes to the success of this cherished tradition. These grants aid in sustaining the festival and ensuring it remains accessible to all, showcasing the best in artistic talent and innovation.

My heartfelt thanks to all who make the Harrison Festival of the Arts possible. Here’s to another year of unforgettable performances, inspiring exhibitions, and the shared joy of the arts!

Kelli Paddon, MLA

Chilliwack - Kent

Harrison Festival Staff & Site Crew

Vicki Bolan | Christine Zyla | Shawna Lawson | Toley Smith | Ben Northgraves | Liz Webber

Makailla Palliyaguru | Kara Vinchoff | Peter Lepine | Jamea Lister | James Law

Delaney Bergstrom | Rebecca Schram | Nathalie Thibault | Colin Farquhar | Hailey Bamford

Mike Evans | Cathey Crawley | Lyndsay James | Vicky Sparks | Marian Termeer

Executive & Artistic Director | Andy Hillhouse

General Manager | Bryan Cutler

Administrator and Bookkeeper | Jenny Andrie

Harrison Festival Board of Directors

Len Davidiuk | Lisa Kenney | Heather Robertson | Jasmine Laurenson

Stephanie Gallamore | Ernie Eaves | Liz Webber | Adam Balfour

The Harrison Festival Board of Directors and staff would like to take this opportunity to extend a huge THANK YOU to the people who really make the Festival happen... our AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! We could not do it without you!!

We’d also like to thank everyone who joined the Festival "Family" this year, with special thanks to the following individuals and businesses who made an extra donation along with their 2024 family memberships:

Deborah McGovern * John Oliver * Marion Bouchard * Dr. Michael & Mrs. Helene Miller

Laurence & Joan St. Pierre * Kate Berkiw * Harold & Donna Bruins * Stephanie Gallamore

Gurminder Ghuman * Marian  Rankin * Valerie & Wayne Richards * Sharon Blaker

Leo Facio * Meriel Low * Gisela Montague * Leonne Beebe * Kathie & Dan Cardinal

Coral McFadden * Anne Ah Loy * Dominique Ah Loy * Tegwyn & Dennis Bakken

Cindy Brown * Michelle Drummond * Inge Gilbert * Allan Jackson & Mary Dams

Sandy Tait * Maureen Wendt & Bruce Turner * Len Davidiuk * Keith & Jane Kivett

Geraldine Mailhot * Heather Robertson * Trevor & Jennifer Todd * Elizabeth Webber

Linda Bennie * Patricia Freer * Dave & Cora Hampson * Jim Killer * Peter Lepine

Laura Munn * Lynda Scobie * Ed Stenson * Dave Stephen & Astrid Beugeling

Mark & Patti Turner * Lorraine Van Grol * Leo & Emee Wenk * John & Jacquie Zuidhof

FOR THE LOVE OF EARTH!

We feel so incredibly fortunate to live and work amongst such breathtaking scenery. Please help us keep its natural beauty pristine - discard your trash in designated garbage bins and recycle this program (unless you’re keeping it for your collection, of course)!

Prefered Partner of Harrison Festival of the Arts