Dozens of performers will be in Chilliwack for an annual street-art festival this summer.
Organizers of the free Chilliwack Mural Festival released the entertainment lineup of more than 40 performers for the event which celebrates arts and culture in Chilliwack. It runs Aug. 15 to 17 in the downtown area.
“I am thrilled to announce this year’s performers for Chilliwack Mural Festival, featuring talented musicians, dancers, entertainers, and beatboxers from Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley, and Metro Vancouver,” said festival director Lise Oakley, who's also the executive director of the Chilliwack Arts Council which organizes the event.
Artists include Sadé Awele and Serengeti, Las Empanadas Illegales, Vox Rea, Higher Ground Dance Battles, Spank Williams, Kara Kata Afrobeat Group, Michaela Slinger, The Wookiez, and more. They, along with many others, will perform in several locations including Mill Street, Victoria Avenue, Court Lane, Central Community Park, and District 1881.
The murals are actually painted before the festival. This year, eight new murals by nine artists will be created in the days and weeks leading up to the event.
Over the course of the three days of the festival itself (Aug. 15 to 17), the event will also offer interactive art activities, a kids' zone, food trucks, and an art market.
New this year will be a 1,500 square-foot tent to provide shade over the musicians and audience at the Sasquatch Stage in the Mill Street parking lot. The Thunderbird Stage will be in District 1881, and Bricklayer Brewing (101-46126 Yale Rd.) will also host concerts.
Here's the stage lineup for the 2024 Chilliwack Mural Festival:
Thursday, Aug. 15
- Bricklayer Brewing: Beach Moms, Daniel with the Visions, and Summer Eyes
Friday, Aug. 16
- Sasquatch Stage: alt-country, indie, and rock bands Spank Williams, Sleepy Gonzales, and The Relevators
- Bricklayer Brewing: The Sylvia Platters, girly., and Hollow Twin
- District 1881: Indigenous cultural dance by Pilalt Warriors, beatbox performances by The Wookiez, and Higher Ground dance battles
Saturday, Aug. 17
- Sasquatch Stage: Sadé Awele and Serengeti, Las Empanadas Illegales, Vox Rea, Kara Kata Afrobeat Group, and Muévete
- District 1881: line dancing and Bollywood dance lessons, dance battles, and beatboxing workshops
On the Saturday, there will also be solo busking performances by local artists on Victoria Avenue and outside The Offy in District 1881. Court Lane will feature a stage in the alley with performances by Nathan Barrett, Michaela Slinger, Haleluyah Hailu, Western Jaguar, and Velavox. Friday and Saturday will include roaming performances by Balkan Shmalkan and Vancouver Circus School.
The performance schedule runs Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mill Street and Bricklayer Brewing; on Friday, Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at District 1881, Mill Street, and Bricklayer Brewing; and on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at District 1881, Mill Street, Victoria Avenue, Court Lane, and Central Community Park.
The Chilliwack Mural Festival is an all-ages event and all the entertainment and concerts are free.
“We invite all residents and visitors to enjoy three days of free live music, performances, workshops, and activities for all ages throughout Downtown Chilliwack,” Oakley said.
For more, go to chilliwackmuralfestival.com.