Arts and Entertainment Celebrate Virtually with the Fort Langley Jazz and Art Festival
Necessity is the mother of invention, and so the annual Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has found a fun, safe way to return for Summer 2020 – and, in the process, reach more people than ever before! This year’s festival will look very different than in previous years.
Restrictions on public gatherings have led to the creation of a virtual festival with two nights and one day of virtual programming from Friday, September 4 to Saturday, September 5, bringing artists together with audiences from across Western Canada.
Streaming on the festival’s Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and website, the festival will feature more than a dozen live-streamed and pre-recorded concert performances of exclusive world-class jazz, blues, gospel, and soul acts – all of them free to view.
This year’s festival includes a strolling Mardi Gras-style parade, a virtual art walk, salsa dance lessons, virtual dance parties, live interactive hosting, conversations with artists, community profiles, and more.
ALL-STAR BLUES SHOW
Host Jim Byrnes welcomes blues-rocker Taylor James, the queen of blues, Dalannah Gail Bowen, and Tom Lavalin & The Legendary Powder Blues, who will be performing a live-streamed ticketed concert on Friday, September 4 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the live-streamed performance are $19.50, with a very limited number of in-person concert tickets also available for purchase here.
MIMOSA QUINTET, LAILA BIALI TRIO & SIOBHAN WALSH: TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN
Vancouver quintet Mimosa – widely renowned for their stunning blend of jazz, Brazilian samba, cabaret, and French ’60s pop will open the show, followed by Juno award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and jazz pianist, Laila Biala. The final act will be powerhouse R&B vocalist Siobhan Walsh, who will perform A Tribute to the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. This concert live-streams Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the live-streamed performance are $19.50, with a very limited number of in-person concert tickets available for purchase here.
INTERACTIVE SALSA DANCE PARTY
Visit any of the festival’s social channels to view a free salsa dance lesson led by Roger Chen of Vancouver’s Salsastudio. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 5, during a performance by acclaimed world/Latin band Mazacote, everyone will be invited to turn on their phone, join in with the salsa dancing, and share in a “moment of joy” to be heard and seen across the community.
**CONTEST** HOST YOUR OWN BACKYARD FESTIVAL
This year’s virtual festival is the next best thing to “being there.” But why not make it even better by inviting friends over and having a small festival gathering at home? To make the most of the virtual celebrations, the festival has put together these helpful tips for at-home hosting for the ultimate backyard jazz festival so you and your friends can celebrate safely. Host a small, intimate party for your closest friends and family while staying safe, having fun, and enjoying the music!
Better still, nominate yourself on the festival’s social channels for your chance to win a Backyard Festival prize pack. This festival prize pack includes everything you need to host an intimate backyard celebration watch party for your closest friends and family. Win a night to remember by filling out the contest entry form here. Prize details can be found on the linked page!
Contest Requirements
Fill out the contest entry form here
Must be 19+ to enter
Must be able to pick-up the prize from the Fort Langley Area
Winner must be able to host the backyard festival on either September 4th or 5th.