Harmony Arts Festival returns to West Vancouver waterfront after one-year COVID absence
10-day competition in response to the COVID-19 protocols established by the provincial well being officer
After being canceled final summer season because of coronavirus considerations, the Concord Arts Pageant is returning for its thirtieth anniversary.
The musical, culinary, and performing arts extravaganza, often an annual staple of the West Vancouver waterfront, was suspended final yr together with all different main occasions and festivals.
Following the latest lifting of provincial restrictions that beforehand closed out of doors occasions and gatherings, organizers labored rapidly to make sure that a modified and COVID-safe model of the competition would happen from this week, July thirtieth to August eighth can.
“We heard from the neighborhood that Concord was actually missed in 2020,” mentioned Christie Rosta, arts supervisor for the District of West Vancouver. “It turned very clear to us that even a modified Concord Arts Pageant could be massively helpful to the psychological well being and wellbeing of our neighborhood.”
Whereas the 10-day competition remains to be full of artworks, music to hearken to and nibbles, the organizers have needed to regulate their regular program in comparison with earlier years.
The competition often takes place alongside the waterfront on Argyle Avenue between 14th and sixteenth Streets. However for 2021, in response to Rosta, competition actions will focus on Millennium Park on the foot of fifteenth Road.
“We’ll have our artwork market, which is all the time a competition favourite however will take up one block off Argyle Avenue as a substitute of two blocks. Now we have every day and nightly music performances, however not as many as up to now, ”mentioned Rosta.
Round 35 musicians and teams will carry out throughout the competition, together with Concord veterans corresponding to the people music band The Paperboys and the internationally famend musician Bobby Bruce, who seems as a Neil Diamond tribute artist.
“In fact we have now Almost Neil – he is all the time a crowd-pleaser,” mentioned Rosta.
By holding a modified competition this yr, guests can even count on one thing new.
For instance, the Ambleside Dundarave Enterprise Enchancment Affiliation sponsored a floating stage alongside the Centennial Seawalk that may characteristic 4 artists throughout the competition’s lengthy weekend, Rosta mentioned.
And whereas most of Concord is free, a ticket dinner and comedy improvisation night time ($ 60) shall be held within the new Cypress Pop-Up Village on Cypress Bowl Rd. 3757 on July 31, August 1, 6 and seven, she added.
And sure, for these questioning if Millennium Park shall be a licensed venue throughout the competition, concert-goers desirous to crack a chilly they introduced with them can achieve this within the seashore space off the principle stage. after the West Van Council’s youngest liquor-in-the-park pilot.
A number of meals vans and eating places positioned on a seashore deck in Millennium Park additionally supply ample alternative to eat all through the competition.
“We had no concept that we may carry again as many Concord occasions as earlier than,” mentioned Rosta. “Everybody was so nice to have all of it collectively in about three weeks, the teamwork is heartwarming.”
COVID considerations
Whereas British Columbia’s vaccination program is in full swing, one of many greatest and most necessary challenges is ensuring the competition is COVID protected.
The District of West Vancouver is absolutely dedicated to adhering to the COVID-19 protocols set by the provincial well being officer all through the competition, Rosta mentioned.
Though there isn’t any longer a masks mandate in BC, the competition organizers suggest that every one guests nonetheless put on a masks, keep at residence in case of sickness, disinfect their arms and respect private house.
The competition will comply with improved cleansing and security protocols, and hygiene stations shall be obtainable all through the competition website, Rosta added.
“We are going to distribute tables and chairs,” she mentioned. “We shall be Dr. Publish Henry’s ‘Golden Guidelines’ and ask everybody to obey them. We suggest that guests put on masks and we could have free masks obtainable for guests on the info sales space. “
After a yr of missing such eventful and colourful festivities, maybe crucial factor is to handle the attendance always throughout the competition.
After being closed for 16 months, the Richmond Evening Market just lately got here underneath fireplace over overcrowding considerations after hundreds of individuals have been allegedly crammed into the market throughout the opening weekend.
“We are going to monitor the variety of guests always,” mentioned Rosta. “We will make any adjustments essential to verify our neighborhood is protected.”
Additionally on July thirtieth, an eight-week meals and music competition begins within the Shipyards District of North Vancouver.
The Shipyards Pageant can also be slated to return to Decrease Lonsdale on September 25, with bands alternating on two levels in Shipbuilders Sq. and Shipyards Commons.
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