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This is your call-to-action for another epic and magical British Columbia festival held in Penticton, British Columbia. You know, that place thats a wonderful 4-5 hour drive away from Vancouver city through the wonderous landscape that makes you beyond tickled to live in such a beautiful place. Situated in the Okanagan Valley, Penticton is a wonderful getaway for you and the family. Swim in one of the glorious lakes, the Okanagan Lake that lays to the north of the city or the Skaha Lake to the south. However I will always remember it as the place with the giant art installation of a peach, right on the water, that looks suspiciously like a booty (from behind).
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Well Penticton is also home to the annual Ignite The Arts Festival! A jovial, family-friendly art and music festival that is spread across multiple venues in Penticton. This festival spans over 10 days. The first part ‘Community Week’ running from March 21st to 27th. This Community Week includes numerous free events, including art walks, creative camps, artist talks, and whimsical activities like the Parade for No Reason.
Following this artful and interactive week comes the festival weekend. From March 28th to 29th the downtown Penticton area is transformed into a bustling hub of art and music. From the small interactions I’ve had with the locals, they LOVE IT. The event brings many people from all walks of life – whether your an art creator or art surveyor, Penticton is happy to have you. Festival Weekend includes over 70 musical and performing acts across 9 venues in Penticton.
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I must say, I love this layout of a festival. Following the map and trying to get from one venue across the city to another has you exploring the town in a way you might not have if the entirety of the festival was held on a mere grassy hill. You pass by shops, restaurants, venues, and locals all milling about in this incredible backdrop that Penticitonites get to live every day.
This Festival honours their Indigenous predecessors and “is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.” You can see this through key Indigenous features including dance, music, visual art, storytelling and film. The festival aims to foster reconciliation through prominently featuring Indigenous peoples throughout its programming and partnerships.
Beyond the music and art, there is a strong notion towards wellness-focused activities. Such as somatic movement classes and mental health check-up sessions. This is a beautiful interactive element to the festival that brings light to the on-going mental health struggles many of us face, even in the midst of a spring time celebratory event. How true and genuine for the festival creators to still hold space for this very real, on-going aspect of art.
Would you believe how AFFORDABLE these tickets are? Youth tickets are available at $25, with children aged 12 and under attending for free. Then adult weekend passes start at $75, which includes a $15 voucher redeemable for merchandise or food and beverages at participating venues. What an incredible deal for the multitude of everything you’ll experience in one weekend!
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Now you know about the music, but lets get into the types of workshops offered at Ignite the Arts. There is a ‘Fools Proof Clowning Workshop’ led by Nayanna Fielkov, which offers experimental games and exercises to cultivate curiosity and emotional range. I’ve got a close friend who participated in a Clowning Course here in Vancouver, BC, and it was astounding to see the parallels between what they were learning and what mental health professional tote in a counselling session. This is essentially Art Expression Therapy.
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Then you have the Men’s Sweat Workshop conducted by Saul Squakin, a Syilx man from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. He guides participants through his journey of wellness and its role in the community and traditional healing.
Then we have a beading workshop led by 3 Jack Generation Hand Drummers, where you will get hands-on experience in traditional beading. A workshop for all ages. There is a Synth Petting Zoo, an opportunity to experiment with synthesizers, effect pedals, loopers, and more. Or Writing Workshops with Tom Leveen. There are art installations, sculpture days, and the Parade for No Reason. A mental health circle, creative wellness workshops, contact dance and prop flow workshops, and even yoga!
It goes beyond a doubt that Ignite The Arts Festival is filled to the brim with everything and anything you can imagine. A cohort of happy community members all coming together to take part in this epic celebration.
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As you might’ve put together, Ignite The Arts Festival has already passed this year. Taking place from March 21st – 29th, 2025. But don’t let this get you down in the dumps. Ignite The Arts creators collaborate with many upcoming British Columbia Festivals. Including ArtsWells which is whispered to be making a reappearance after many a-year of hiatus, AND Woodstove Festival which happens in the midst of seasonal depression during November in the lovely art-filled town of Cumberland.
Tell your family members that next year end of March is booked. It will help you shake the dust off your feathers from a sun-reaped wintertime, and make you adore just being alive. Because when you see the amount of volunteers and artists contributing their time to such an amazing festival, it relights the fire of life. A classic spring-time offering.
For more about Ignite the Arts Festival click the links below:
Written by Volante Matheson, Radio Arts & Entertainment at BCIT
Contact: vmatheson1@my.bcit.ca