Vancouver might draw the likes of pop stars such as Lady Gaga, but when it comes to combining unique artists, the backdrop of the Coastal Mountains and energetic festival participants, Squamish is a worthy rival.
Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the best Squamish has to offer during the second annual Dancing Bear Music Festival at Quest University, running all day Sunday, April 25.
This year's student organizers landed an exciting line-up featuring seven bands from across Canada and from right here in town.
Co-organizer and Quest student Krista Caldwell and other organizers are putting the final touches on a music festival that she hopes will become a must-attend annual event.
"Last year it was really great and everyone had such a good time. There were a lot of families, a kid's area and some fantastic music," said Caldwell.
Caldwell said last year's festival came about as a way for students to connect and acknowledge the local community that's hosting them.
"We really wanted to invite the surrounding communities up to Quest and get them to check out our campus because we're so new," said Caldwell. "We want to give back to Squamish a bit."
Her favourite part of last year's event, she said, was listening to the closing act as the sun set behind the stage.
"There was just such a great atmosphere and vibe happening."
From 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., the amphitheatre facing the Coast Mountains will be filled with the sounds of music, dancing and merriment as festival and attendees take in performances, the outdoors and the coming of spring.
This year organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout so they've launched a campaign to get the word out.
"Last year we had 300 [attendees] and this year we're aiming to sell out, which would mean about 750 people," she said.
Dancing Bear showcases and celebrates Canadian musicians, specifically those from 小蓝视频, with five of the seven acts coming from the province.
The festival features Jenny, The Rare Birds, Miss Emily Brown, Current Swell, Dan Mangar, Fogon and Shane Philips.
"We went for a mixed bag of music," said Caldwell. "We wanted to include some indie and poppy stuff because that's what the students are really into, but we made sure to include something for everyone - rock, folk, gospel."
The show begins with local music group Fogon, who describe themselves as a collaboration of folky, rocky, twangy, gospel and jazzy sounds that originated in the Quest University community.
Dan Mangan, one of the headlining acts, promises to touch the heart of everyone there. His newest album Nice, Nice, Very Nice, has made it to the top of iTunes Canada, C小蓝视频 Radio and is becoming a staple at venues across the country.
His performance at Dancing Bear will be the last show on a six-city tour and he hopes to go out with a bang.
"It sounds like they've organized a great line-up and it will be my first outdoor festival of the season," said Mangan.
Mangan describes his music fundamentally as folk, but with a lot of influence from the indie wave, rock music and even some pop tied in. He stresses that lyrics are the key factor in any music.
"It's ache and pain to write them sometimes," said Mangan. "But they're the most important aspect to me."
He plays some solo shows but normally picks up a group wherever he tours and will be performing with a local band at the festival.
Vancouver Island based band Current Swell is another much-anticipated group that blends acoustic guitars, a lap slide, harmonica, drums, base and three vocal mics.
The band has a unique sense of music that is deeply rooted in folk and blues, reggae
and rock.
"We're really looking forward to it," said guitarist Scott Stanton. "I would say we're most known for entertaining and we love to perform so I think it will be a great time and great venue."
C小蓝视频 Radio 3 describes Current Swell as being "in the foreground of the 'new roots' music front pushing out of Canada's West Coast."
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day, and children under 10 are free. They are currently on sale at record shops in Vancouver and in Squamish at Onatah Coffee, Zephyr Caf茅 and Bean Around the World. You can also purchase tickets online at www.dancingbearmusicfestival.com.
