Wouldn't it be nice to hear a song or two while waiting for a cup of coffee? How about taking in a theatrical production while snacking on a bowl of soup?
Starting Friday (Feb. 12), business patrons get added value as local performers perform at coffee shops, art galleries, pubs and restaurants across town as a part of the Wild At Art - Spirit of Squamish festival.
On any given afternoon or evening during the month of February, patrons walking into any of the festival venues - The Burrow, Onatah Coffee, The Cup Bistro and Deli, Pause Caf茅, the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub, Agnes Jean Boutique, Grilled Fromage, Laurel Terlesky Studios, or Pepe and Gringo's - can catch a live performance.
"We have adult-only venues and we have family friendly venues all through Squamish," said Spirit of Squamish co-ordinator Marcie Gaukrodger.
"There's music happening at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, 7 p.m. and at 9 p.m. So it's pretty much, almost every day."
The arts festival will include musical performances showcasing everything from Celtic inspired music by Rita Kyle, Argentinean music by Pancho and Sal, as well as electro pop tunes by Tessa Amy.
"It's an amazing line-up. We've got everything from folk to jazz, electro-pop," Gaukrodger said.
Some performers are returning to Wild at Art while others, like the young actors in Broadway or Bust, will be participating in the arts celebration for the first time.
Artistic director Melissa Braun said six young musical theatre actors, ranging in age between nine and 15-years-old, will be performing at the Gelato Carina on Thursday (Feb. 18.).
"We're happy to be participating. I feel like we have a really good group of experienced kids and I'm trying to find as many opportunities to let them perform for people."
Four popular musical numbers will be offered - Dear Edwina, Once on This Island, Seussical, and Into the Woods. The theatre group performed the same plays within the last five years.
"They are probably four of the numbers that have been most well received and are also probably some of the most fun for the kids to perform," said Braun.
Braun also takes the stage with Vancouver Opera vocalist Kelly Coubrough and Aaron Purdie during An Afternoon of Classic Songs at St. John Anglican Church Sunday (Feb. 21).
The trio offers a selection of classical works as well as a few musical theatre pieces.
Coubrough is also scheduled to perform a jazzy-cabaret on Feb. 19, with accompaniment by Colleen Koop. Coubrough said she's participated in four Wild At Art festivals because they are always fun.
"This is a great festival, and a good place to feature local talent," she said. "Wild At Art features local talent in the sea-to-sky. It also supports all genres of music from classical to jazz to folk to rock. The community really supports this festival which is why it is so fun to perform here."
Cam Salay said he plans to return for a solo performance at the festival, adding it will give him an opportunity to work out some of his newer material.
"It's fun to throw things out there when you're solo whether it's really finished or not you're not quite really sure yet but you throw it out there and you see how it feels," he said.
Although he might only bring a couple of new songs to the stage, Salay said he has broadened his Canadian repertoire for this year's festival.
"Seeing the Olympics [are] around, there's been a lot of Canadian stuff like Neil Young, Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot."
Catch Salay with his guitar and banjo in hand several times a week at various venues across town during the Wild At Art festival.
The festival culminates in a Spirit of Squamish finale at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Saturday Feb. 27 featured entertainers Paul Coulter-Brown, belly dancers, The Overcomers, Bhangra dancers and Radio Karma.
For additional information on the festival including performance details visit www.wildatart.ca.
