Invermere MusicFest 2014 brought out heaps of people to enjoy catchy tunes at Kinsmen Beach.Photo by Andy Byballa
Jay Malinowski, the frontman of iconic Canadian reggae and ska band Bedouin Soundclash, is preparing to take the stage in Invermere with his newest musical project.
Jay Malinowski and the Dead Coast are the headlining act for Invermere MusicFest. On August 22nd, valley residents and visitors alike will get the chance to see Malinowski and a variety of other Canadian musicians play at Kinsmen Beach.
Part of the reason I created this three years ago was that I believed this valley could handle a big music festival, said Invermere MusicFest Executive Director Jami Scheffer. We just didnt have one close by, and I think it is time.
Ms. Scheffer said she is particularly excited to see Mr. Malinowski perform, but not just because she has been a fan of his music for years.
There is another great thing about his band and that is Martin Riesle, who is a local boy, born and bred here, Ms. Scheffer said. He plays the cello as part of the Dead Coast. For someone like Martin, it is fantastic to see him come back and show the valley how well he has done.
Mr. Riesle isnt the only homegrown musician set to play. Morgan Childs, a drummer from Invermere, will be attending the festival accompanied by a full band. Mr. Childs recently received a grant from Canada Council for the Arts to tour this summer with a band full of prominent Canadian musicians.
He grew up here and everyone knows him, Ms. Scheffer said. He is an incredible drummer.
Ms. Scheffer described the festival as laid-back, fun and eclectic. She said the wide variety of musical styles will keep attendees dancing and clapping all day.
Festivals like this are really growing, Ms. Scheffer said. It is becoming a destination event that people will travel a long distance for.
While the festival is typically well-attended by visitors to the valley, Ms. Scheffer said locals will always be the most important supporters for an event like Invermere MusicFest.
When we used to have it during August long weekend, most people that live in the valley could not attend because they were too busy working hard, so we changed the date, Ms. Scheffer said. We want to bring the locals in.
As always, the festival will be geared towards family fun during the day. For the first time, guests can buy evening passes to attend after 6:30 p.m., which Ms. Scheffer said will be geared towards adults.
It is a Saturday, so adults who work during the day can buy an evening ticket and come after work, Ms. Scheffer said. The bands are a bit more edgy.
Throughout the day on the 22nd, festival attendees will have access to more food vendors than ever before. In addition, the beer garden will be serving Arrowhead beer and Tinhorn Creek Vineyards wine.
We also have artisans, so there will be vendors to sell jewelry, festival clothing and stuff like that, Ms. Scheffer said.
The next day, Invermere MusicFest will host its first ever workshop day, featuring instruction on vocals, drumming, songwriting and guitar playing from experienced Canadian musicians like Mr. Childs. The workshops are sponsored by Windermere Valley Musicians Who Care, the local non-profit group that supports musical projects across the valley.
(The workshops will be) here in Pynelogs, and we will sell very exclusive tickets because we have limited seating and we want it to be an intimate affair, Ms. Scheffer said. We are focusing on the local musicians to support this.
For more information about Invermere MusicFest and to purchase tickets, visit invermeremusicfest.com.
