by Gillian Crowley –
Magical, entertaining and participatory are all words that describe the Fifth Annual Salish Sea Festival held this year in late August. Smiles and wide-eyed amazement from all ages added to an evening filled with music and hundreds of LED-lit lanterns on Sidney’s waterfront.
Organized by Artistic Director Jennifer Witvliet and the ArtSea Community Arts Council, with help from other community groups, this festival was the largest yet with 800 to 1,000 people attending. Many of the lanterns were built in workshops offered throughout the summer and this year there were many more costumed characters in outfits inspired by the Salish Sea.
Wayne McNiven, ArtSea director, says: “As the word spreads about the exciting festival experience, the numbers of those participating and attending are increasing.”
The festival celebrates First Nations culture and highlighted the W̱SÁNEĆ people and the SENĆOŦEN language. The event kicked off with a collaborative presentation of new music from Renee Samson and The Wilds, mixing First Nation traditional styles with folk music sung in both English and SENĆOŦEN. Renee and The Wilds will also play at the Mary Winspear Centre in November.
With the beautiful backdrop of Sidney’s waterfront and Mount Baker in the distance, the evening was further enhanced by life-sized Orcas from the Canadian Orca Rescue Society and the festival’s new Spirit Orca Calf lantern. The Sidney Pier was lit with decorative paper bags containing LED lights and at dusk illuminated lanterns were placed along the pier.
Following 45 minutes of music and entertainment, the procession of the lanterns began, led by Renee and the children from ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School in Brentwood Bay. Everyone proceeded along the sea walk, ending with songs at the foot of Sidney Pier.
This year community engagement and partnership increased as St. Andrews Anglican Church provided space in August for ongoing lantern workshops and studio space. Next year’s theme will focus on birds found on the Saanich Peninsula. To get involved, contact Wayne at grants@artsea.ca. Photo by Bob Orchard