Heidi VanLith
Special to The Chief
Behind the scenes, Wild at Art coordinators prepare to draw the curtains on three days of fun-filled entertainment starring local theatre groups, musicians, and main-stage headliners.
After months of paperwork and planning, coordinators Brian Marchant, Krisztina Egyed, and Tamsin Miller are ready to shine the light on a community that Marchant said is "chock full of artists and full of opportunities for cultural tourism".
On the main stage, award-winning songwriter, dulcimer player, and children's entertainer Rick Scott makes concerts with children; a collaborative effort between him and the audience.
"Basically, my theory is within 30 seconds of me being on stage everyone will be singing," said Scott. "The way I make up tunes is so that you can just jump on board, without knowing the words."
Scott's colourful career in entertainment has extended 35 years earning him a Juno nomination, West Coast Music Award, Children's Music Web Award, and three Parents' Choice Approved Awards.
"I want to play and make music with [the children]," said Scott. "What I do is not some fantastic mystical gift I was given at birth; it's something they can do too."
The Nanaimo-based troubadour will take the stage for a one-hour performance Saturday (Feb. 25) at 1 p.m.
Also featured on the main stage is B.C.'s only Italian-Canadian theatre company BellaLuna presenting "The Best Italian Variety Show - Ever" and the fast-paced, high-energy magic tricks and clowning antics of The Funny Stuff Circus.
Black Swade is scheduled to rock the main stage for one hour Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The local rock five-some features the vocal stylings of Luke Kyle, bass lines by Liam Alvernini, guitar licks by Scott Verbeck, rhythm guitar by Alex Toews, and beats by drummer Iain Rommel.
"They're a fabulous mix. These boys are just gelled together and are all very dedicated," said mother, promoter, and unofficial band bookings coordinator Lesley Rommel. "They play all original music and will be competing in the Battle of The Bands in Whistler next Tuesday."
The boys forged their band last summer and practice weekly in Rommel's garage.
Other main stage and prominent local performers include Squamish Nation Youth Dancers; Banghra, Tabla, and Harmonium with the Johal Family; Down by The Docks with Daryl Robb, The Jocelyn Pettit Band, and a Highland interlude with The Pipe Band and the Highland Dancers.
"We're trying to create an arts and cultural event to showcase the arts, culture, and history of Squamish and its people," said Marchant, overall event coordinator for Wild at Art.
The Squamish Writers Group will read poetry and prose at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday in the Adventure Centre Theatre. Approximately 15 area writers will recite their written masterpieces over two 45-minute segments.
"We have a good, broad spectrum of writers. It will be very eclectic," said Jude Goodwin of the Squamish Writers Group. "I asked them to bring their best stuff."
The Artistic Director for Wild at Art, Tamsin Miller, has been feeling the heat since January as the event quickly approaches and has pulled together an extensive lineup of both performing arts and workshops.
"I've seen the festival grow and am really excited at the chance for Squamish to show who we are," said Miller. "I hope it will serve to inspire more people to try new things and explore their creativity."
No festival is complete without clowns and balloons. This year Catrin Webb of Par-T-Perfect has been commissioned to provide two clowns, a bouncy castle, and 'Morphy' the inflatable caterpillar-turned-butterfly crawl zone.
For further details visit the Adventure Centre this weekend and go Wild at Art.
