Kootenanny Hootenanny! By Carolyn Nikodym and Rebecca Hall
Three years ago, crowds headed down to Riverside for two days of sun, fun and great tunes—a music festival had finally come to Fernie. Disaster struck when a virtual tornado ripped the entire site to shreds just hours before the first act was due to hit the stage, but Fernie Fest had already slipped into that magical zone that seems to surround festivals: time stands still, life beyond the fence is forgotten and the music, sunshine and fun take over. (Plus a tireless team of volunteers worked through the night to get things running again.) We left the venue happy and excited that this great event would add Fernie to the local music festival calendar, but it wasn’t to be. For various reasons, Fernie Fest never happened again in its original incarnation but the word on the street is that something is coming and Fernie will have a music festival again next year. Having decided to keep her holidays in BC this year and not wanting to wait until next year, Rebecca planned to check out what other music festivals might fit into the road-trip budget. Nakusp was an obvious choice with some favourite bands, a great location and a beautiful drive through the mountains. Admittedly not too familiar with the other festivals in the area, beyond the stories (and they are many and varied), it made sense to team up with local music writer and festival lover Carolyn to put together a list of some of the best offerings in and around the Kootenay area.
Nakusp Music Fest July 16-18 www.nakuspmusicfest.ca
Nothing says summer better than classic rock; so set your playlist to BTO, crank the volume, open the windows and roll on down the highway to Nakusp on Upper Arrow Lake. From the guitar logo on the website to ‘60s icon Eric Burdon of the Animals fame, there’s no mistaking the tone in Nakusp. Two stages will play host to heroes of the industry like the Powder Blues, 54-40 and the Trews. Ska, country and celtic overtones from the likes of Rude City Riot, Corb Lund and the Mudmen plus a healthy list of local talent round out the lineup. Endless kids entertainment and activities, a beer garden, an extensive food and craft market and acres of camping take care of everyone’s needs while the stunning lakefront location puts it all within walking distance, including downtown Nakusp. Oh, did I mention Canadian rock legends Bachman and Turner are back together and headlining this year?
Starbelly Jam July 16-18 www.starbellyjam.org
Crawford Bay Park, nestled on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, plays the picturesque host to the 11th annual Starbelly Jam. If classic rock isn’t quite your thing, you can go around the world of music in three days. Senegalese singer-harpist Youssoupha Sidibe has performed with some of the world’s most interesting musicians, like Bela Fleck and Michael Franti. France’s Les Boukakes bends genres with its Arab soul-rock fusion. And Mexico’s Camilo Nu Latin-infused world jazz explores the relationship between the music of Spain, Mexico and Morocco. California’s Blackalicious, Vancouver’s Bosephus King and Calgary’s Chad VanGalaan bring the sounds closer to home. Starbelly is also definitely a family event, with plenty of entertainment for children, including a craft free-for-all, clowns, jugglers and parade.
Canadian Rockies Country Music Fest July 23, 24 www.canadianrockiescountrymusicfest.com
Brand new this year for all you cowpokes and wranglers is a country music festival just outside of Cranbrook at the Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds. During the two-day jamboree, you can get down and dirty with Craig Moritz, throw whiskey on a flame with Kenny Hess or go on a cruzero with Barry Mathers. Your beer gardens won’t be too far away from the music, either—live music and a jam session will be featured there. You can wander around the vendors and soak up Friday night’s headache with Saturday morning’s pancake breakfast.
Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival July 30-Aug 1 www.kaslojazzfest.com
Kaslo is truly the little fest that could. Nineteen years strong, the three-day schedule offers a class and style of music you don’t often get to enjoy all in one place, never mind that place being one of the most stunning locations in the world. A floating stage provides great acoustics (not to mention a unique swimming opportunity) and the mountain backdrop will take your breath away. From Friday night’s opening act of southern blues from Ruthie Foster through a packed schedule of world music, blues and jazz with electrifying vocals and tantalizing rhythms, Kaslo will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. Acts include: the Bad Plus, Spyro Gyra, MonkeyJunk, John Korsrud Latin-Jazz Septet, Tambura Rasa, Arsen Shomakhov and many others. Insider’s tip: book your camping early!
Komasket Music Festival July 30-Aug 1 www.komasketmusicfestival.com
If you’ve never heard of the Komasket Music Festival, you might wonder why. It’s in a stellar location on Okanagan Lake just outside of Vernon—perfect for refreshing yourself from the dessert sun. You can rent tipis to stay in (or bring your own tent, of course). You can win a prize for dressing up your campsite. And there is plenty of fun to be had for the wee ones. Most importantly, however, it’s got the kind of lineup that summer music festivals are made of. The beatmasters and melody makers on four stages include Shane Philip, Alex Cuba, Maria in the Shower, Cheb I Sabbah, Oka, Delhi 2 Dublin. Komasket is a drug- and alcohol-free event.
Salmon Arm Blues and Roots Festival Aug 13-15 www.rootsandblues.ca
Just off the map for us Kootenay music lovers, the Blues and Roots Festival has its finger on the pulse of what it means to be cool in Canadian music; throw in global heavyweights Joan Armatrading and Joe Louis Walker and you’re talking serious music chops. From Fernie favourites—Vancouver’s 13-piece Five Alarm Funk and Nelson lovechild Wassabi Collective to K’naan and Gord Downie (no intros needed,) Salmon Arm is a non-stop rollercoaster of what makes us loud and proud. A staggering six daytime stages with two main stages at night will keep everyone moving. Located right downtown at the Fair grounds, everything is within walking distance and the Shuswap is just steps away. All of the usual suspects, including food and craft vendors, camping, beer tent and kids’ entertainment and activities, will keep the whole family happy.
Idlewild Music Fest Aug 21
Every year, we all have big plans for summer, but sometimes a weekend away in the fairy tale land of a music festival is just not in the cards. Cranbrook’s one-day Idlewild Music Festival may just be the answer. It’s a hot bath or massage for the soul. Canadian folk-rock stalwart Valdy is always a graceful addition to any lineup, with his 40-ish years of stage experience. Nelson’s diamond-voiced Aspen Switzer and Cranbrook’s own redGirl both return to the bill at Idlewild Park. And it’s great music for a great cause—the Cranbrook Public Library. See the folks down there for more info or call 250 426 4063.
You can further fill your summer with music with some of these other offerings:
Soundwave in Ucluelet (July 16 - 18)
South Country Fair in Fort Macleod, Alberta (July 16 - 18)
Littlefest in the Slocan Valley (July 23 - 24)
Calgary Folk Fest (July 23 – 25)
Canmore Folk Fest (July 30 – Aug 1)
Calgary Reggaefest (Aug 19 – 21)
We would be remiss to not mention Shambhala in Salmo (Aug 6 - 9), of course, but chances are if you haven’t heard of it you won’t be interested.
Something happens when you spend two or three nights at a music festival. The first night is full of raw energy. By the second or third night, your skin is taut from the sun, and your legs have been worked from dancing. You are in the groove and completely sated. It is a magical state.
Get yourself out there.
