By Katie Wallace
Special to the Pioneer
TOP ACT Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash with his band The Deadcoast are this years headliners at the Invermere MusicFest. Photo submitted
A family-oriented festival in a stunning summer destination, the Invermere MusicFest taking place on August 22nd and 23rd offers entertainment and activities for all ages. Anyone looking for a fun, laid-back, and funky festival needs to head to Invermere this summer to enjoy music by up-and-coming Canadian and local talent in the picturesque location of the Kinsmen Beach Greenspace with Lake Windermere as a backdrop.
This festival is a two-stage event with talent that just keeps getting bigger and better every year, said Jami Scheffer, executive director of the Columbia Valley Arts Council, which is hosting the Invermere MusicFest. We have an amazing venue with lots of room to dance, sing, and enjoy each musician along with a beer garden, food village, local vendors and kids corner.
The musicians will be split between the stunning Lake Stage and Mountain Stage. Seating setup will be festival style with space for blankets and lawn chairs, and bleachers will also be available.
This years beer garden will be serving fresh and local brews from Arrowhead Brewing Company and Tinhorn Creek wines. The International Food Village will not disappoint with reasonably priced festival food.
This years headliner is Jay Malinowski and the Deadcoast Jay is the front man from Juno award-winning Bedouin Soundclash who will be in the company of Vancouver-based string trio The End Tree.
They will be performing at 9:15 p.m. on the Lake Stage. Other amazing acts include: Bocephus King, known for his worldly folk sound; Zerbin, the infectious symphonic alt-pop; Devon Coyote, melodic guitar rhythms and sincere songwriting; 36?, spouting sugary pop vibes bursting with psychedelic sounds; Morgan Childs & Friends, featuring the local jazz musician who made it big; Pharis & Jason Romero, a vibrant duo playing on handmade banjos and old acoustic guitars; and local favorite Stereo Three, a band that loves playing soft ballads to heavy rock.
THE KING RETURNS Bocephus King is back in the valley for this years Invermere MusicFest on August 22nd.Photo by Augusto Betiula
The Invermere MusicFest has grown into a two-day event with Sunday, August 23rd dedicated to musician workshops featuring vocal, drumming and rhythm, and songwriting classes hosted by some of the musicians showcased on Saturday.
The event is entirely volunteer-run with sponsorships and donations funding over 70 per cent of the budget. If anyone is interested in volunteering or donating to this years Fest, please check out our website for more information (www.invermeremusicfest.com). Without ongoing support from local businesses and organizations, these types of events would not be possible for CV Arts to host.
Those attracted to the small-town charm of Invermere, B.C. know it is the place to relax, spend days at the beach, go boating, paddleboarding, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, and so much more. There are many dining options to discover as well as accommodations from camping to luxury resorts. Planning a fun-filled weekend around this years Invermere MusicFest will be easy to accomplish!
To see this years full line-up, to purchase tickets, or to find out more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.invermeremusicfest.com.
