The second Arts, Eats & Beats festival will bring artisans, food and music to the streets of Bragg Creek on Saturday, Sep. 16, marking the return of the much-anticipated event.
Visitors will be able to kick back with feature Alberta performers of jazz, blues, roots, and folk, and some styles that defy traditional labels.
A variety of culinary styles will also be available, with some patios open (weather permitting), and a wide array of local art will be on sale as well.
The idea was just hatched last year by Visit Bragg Creek and The Bragg Creek and Area Chamber of Commerce, and was such a success it was brought back for an encore.
The festival covers a broad range of styles and genres that had not been offered in Bragg Creek before last year. The festival is a free event.
Organizers said they were determined to keep the spirit of community and outdoors alive as fall approaches.
“This is our second year doing the event and we’re thrilled to bring the community and visitors together to explore our local businesses while enjoying music, food and artists,” said chamber president Sherri Olsen. “Bragg Creek is becoming the next hot-spot for Calgarians and neighbouring communities to visit and the Arts, Eats & Beats Festival is a family free event that has something for everyone.”
The celebration of local art, music, and food is aimed at creating a thriving artistic community while businesses get the opportunity to lend their support.
“We hope people come and just shop, mix, mingle, listen to some free live music and do some Christmas shopping,” Olsen said.
Just as the Calgary Folk Fest started out as a folk festival and has morphed over the years to encompass a wide variety of musical tastes, organizers hope to mirror that success by offering something for everyone.
Bragg Creek’s own Dani Moon will be playing blues and jazz on the main stage from 2 to 2:50 pm.
Wendy Walker and the Tribe will serenade the audience with the soulful sounds of Cree Métis and Mi'kmaq First Nations heritage.
Walker has been an established artist for many years, and has been nominated for and won several awards throughout her career. Her most cherished one is an Esquao Award for her work in the arts sector. She plays the main stage from 5 to 6 pm.
Walker was one of two Indigenous artists selected from Canada to perform at the 2018 Winter Olympics’ cultural festival in Pyeongchang.
Corry Ulan has been playing music around Calgary for 20 years in many bands. She plays refreshing covers with a creative spin. Ulan plays guitar and banjo in her latest project, called Magnolia Buckskin, which plays the main stage from 3 to 3:50 pm.
An area will be cordoned off for people to set up their own lawn chairs by the main stage, and entertainers will also be performing around Bragg Creek.
There will also be performances from Leanne Lightfoot, Backyard Betties, the Treblemakers featuring Brian Frank, and Tim Babey and The Lost Prospectors.
The Heart Cafe will feature Bluebird Telegraph from 11 am to 1 pm; The Bav & The Tav will host John Robertson from 11 am to 1:30 pm; and the Misty Creek Home Store has booked Mya Kate from 1 to 3 pm.
“We’ve been working hard to make Bragg Creek a go-to day trip destination for surrounding areas and we hope that the festival can truly showcase what our small community is all about,” Olsen said.
“Whether people put on their hiking boots and explore our culinary offerings afterwards, or visit the ice cream shop and get their kids’ faces painted afterwards, we’re thrilled to see everyone.”
The festivities run from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday. A full schedule can be viewed at visitbraggcreek.com.
