Musicians, visual artists, dancers, puppeteers, actors, filmmakers, writers, and sundry oddballs without category are lined up for the eighth annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art happening this weekend in Wells.
Hosted by Island Mountain Arts the entertainment line-up features performers such as Dave Bidini, Mr. Something Something, and Australia’s The Re-Mains during the festival July 29 to Aug. 1.
More than 100 musical performances will be featured on nine stages including folk, jazz, country, funk, hip-hop, electronic, world, pop, roots and more.
The Blackwood Two from Kitchener-Waterloo; Bubba Tres from Fernie; Bulat Gafarov from Moscow, Russia; Colorifics of Vancouver; the Creaking Planks of Vancouver; DEJA of Zurich, Switzerland; and Dorah Amora of Salt Spring Island join many more artists from around the region and country such as the lakecity’s own Soupbone band.
There will be more than 20 different workshops to attend where visitors can learn everything from beat-boxing, to Ukrainian dance, to lyric writing, to laughter yoga and so much more.
There are activities for kids including a crafting station, a children’s stage and workshops geared towards children.
ArtsWells also hosts the International One Minute Play Festival — coming up on its 12th year — which takes much of its shape from the creative energy of festival goers.
Screenings of independent films as well as local theatre productions.
Enjoy a visual ArtWalk around the town of Wells where artisans will be selling their wares.
Discounts to local attractions such as Barkerville Historic Town are also offered where visitors can catch more ArtsWells musical acts just eight kilometre down the road.
“On top of all that, it’s safe to say that one should expect numerous unpredictable surprises,” says event spokesperson Jeremy Stewart.
ArtsWells has welcomed visitors from five continents, and it’s growing every year. The good times that draw new and returning artists from all over Canada and beyond are also becoming legendary among audiences, Stewart adds.
Tickets are available on site and through www.artswells.com; Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787; and at a number of retailers across northern B.C.
In Williams Lake tickets are available at the Dollar Dollar store on Second Avenue and at Red Shred’s on First Avenue.