TriVo will be performing and offering a free workshop at this year’s Harrison festival of the Arts. | Photo courtesy of Harrison Festival of the Arts
This July, a place famous for its natural hot springs will welcome international music performances. The 36th annual Harrison Festival of the Arts takes place July 12 to 20 and brings together a diverse community of artists and music-lovers alike. It’s a celebration of cultural diversity, from old world music, Zimbabwean beats to live theatre.
Having spent many years performing on stage, musician Andy Hillhouse, is taking on a new role as this year’s Harrison Festival of the Arts artistic director. The festival features an impressive roster – including music from all over the globe, flamenco dancing and live theatre.
Hillhouse wanted to achieve a sense of continuity in this year’s performance lineup: festival goers will have the opportunity to see both past acts and new faces.
Having an arts festival with world-class performers in Harrison is very special, says Hillhouse.
“This kind of intimacy and small town experience distinguish the Harrison Festival from most other festivals in the province,” says Hillhouse.
Zimbamoto brings southern African beats to Harrison. | Photo courtesy of Harrison Festival of the Arts
Three musicians, a world of music
Having been to the Harrison Festival a few times before, both as a spectator and performer, Dawn Pemberton is looking forward to the “little festival that’s guaranteed to have a lot of fun.”
This time around, Pemberton takes the stage with her musical group TriVo. The group likes to sing a variety of music from all over the world, spanning all centuries and decades. From early classical to African, gospel, modern and just about everything, the group will cover it.
It’s been a natural transition for Pemberton, 35, who comes from a musical family and has been involved in music almost her entire life. It was at the Universal Gospel Choir Vancouver where she met two friends who would make up the rest of the musical group. Pemberton and friends wanted something that was fun and low-stress – creating TriVo was the answer.
Coming up with their group name was pretty straightforward says Pemberton. Three members – tri and vo – short for vocals.
It will be TriVo’s first time performing at the Harrison Festival and the group is also offering a workshop on July 20. It’s open to everyone and no experience is necessary says Pemberton. The purpose is to give people a sample of TriVo’s music and teach songs from around the world.
“One of the fantastic roles of music festivals is it brings people from different corners of the world, right to you. They’re kind of like taste makers, they’re introducing old acts people know and also introducing new sounds,” says Pemberton.
A little taste of southern Africa
Curtis Andrews’ musical journey began in Labrador and Newfoundland and continues today, here in Vancouver. It wasn’t too long after his coast to coast move that Andrews, 37, connected with people who shared his love of music andjoined the musical group Zimbamoto.
Zimbamoto is described as a mix of traditional and modern Zimbabwean music. Andrews plays the mbira, a type of ‘hand piano’ – though he says this isn’t the best description – and provides vocals for the cross-cultural group.
For Andrews, the appeal of this southern African music is the way it makes him feel.
“It’s distinct, repetitive in one sense, but it allows you to really get into the music on a different emotional level than say rock, jazz or classical music,” says Andrews.
An audience member at the Harrison Festival last year, Andrews is looking forward to performing on stage with the rest of Zimbamoto this summer.
Andrews is drawn to the location of the festival – situated close to the lake.
“It’s very intimate, it’s a small stage, the audience is very close to you and they’re very focused on you, which is missing in some festivals,” says Andrews.
He says the best part is meeting and hanging out with other artists, many of whom become friends.
“It’s about cultural awareness, openness and sharing,” says Andrews, who also takes people on educational trips to southern Africa with the focus on music and cultural diversity.
“In today’s world, the intermingling is so important and the arts is one of the best ways to promote tolerance and acceptance and erase any intolerance,” says Andrews.
TriVo and Zimbamoto are part of a diverse selection of sights and sounds at this year’s Harrison Festival of the Arts. The performance list is extensive and there is something for everyone.
www.harrisonfestival.com/index.gk
www.briantatemusic.com/trivo.php
www.zimbamoto.com/#top
