Soundwaves on the Edge 2004 — Tofino & Ucluelet
by Greg Blanchette
Summertime… For West Coast visitors, it conjures up lazy days on the beach, good food, and treasures discovered in local shops. For many locals, it brings up images of long workdays, working hard to build up the kitty to carry them through the winter. For all, though, it’s a time to grab at snatches of leisure, beach time and sunshine. To get out to a few local events and concerts to enjoy some good music and spend a few unpressured hours in the company of one’s friends or family. That, theoretically, is what life is all about!After an absence of one year, The Pacific Rim Arts Society (PRAS) is back hosting the 17th annual summer music festival. Soundwaves on the Edge, running August 17 to 22nd, will offer five concerts of fine music, performed by some of Canada’s finest musicians, in one of Canada’s most spectacular natural settings. Visitors and locals will get a chance to take in a concert in many of our unique west coast spaces…the famous Eagle Aerie Gallery, a longhouse structure housing the work of Roy Henry Vickers, the charming Clayoqout Sound Theatre, and the woodsy setting of Greenpoint Theatre in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Building on many years of success as a highly regarded chamber and world music event, this year’s Soundwaves festival has broadened its programming to appeal to a wide range of ages and musical tastes. Jazz, percussion, fusion, as well as exciting artists from Canada’s chamber music scene will be in our own backyard this August.
Featured in many cbc broadcasts and playing to sold out audiences across the country The Borealis String Quartet will open the festival on Tuesday, August 17. For the jazz enthusiast, an evening with the Mike Herriott Quartet on Thursday, August 19 will feature this accomplished multi-instrumentalist, who has shared the stage with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Maynard Ferguson, and the Boss Brass. Friday, August 20 take the family to Greenpoint Theatre for the inspiring rhythms of Joseph “Pepe” Danza and his percussion troupe, the Rhythm Fools. Celso Machado, master of ritmos brasilieros, performs in the USS Band Room in Ucluelet, on Saturday, August 21 with his subtle mixture of musical inspiration, irresistible rhythm and inspired lunacy. Earlier in the day, the Tofino Village Green will be the location for a free instrument making workshop followed by a participatory drum circle led by musicians of the festival. Bring the family and join in. The festival winds down on Sunday, August 22nd with a performance in the Eagle Aerie Gallery by the Ad Mare Wind Quintet, a young, upcoming Vancouver based ensemble who will draw from their global repertoire of musical styles. So mark the festival dates in your calendar, and plan to take a break from your workaday or holiday to get out to enjoy a week of fine musical happenings.
Greg Blanchette is a writer, arts enthusiast and President of the Pacific Rim Arts society.
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