The Minds Behind the Magic: Getting to Know the Festival’s Core Team
The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has come a long way since its inception in 2018. Having evolved from a single-stage community gathering to a major multi-day cultural event for attendees from across BC and beyond, the needs of the Festival have grown immensely.
“Where once we relied solely on volunteers, says Executive Director and Festival Co-Founder, Karen Zukas, we now have an incredibly dedicated organizing team of talented and enthusiastic volunteers and contractors.”
It has taken a village of people contributing their knowledge and resources to get us to the point of hosting a four-day festival with eight stages, over 40 bands, multiple venues, activities and exhibits. We’re thrilled for the opportunity to introduce the team behind the festival.
Direction & Management
Karen Zukas | Executive Director & Festival Co-Founder
Karen Zukas brings a wealth of experience to the Festival partnership. With over 35 years of event management, project management, marketing, communications, administration, and stakeholder and government relations experience, she’s the perfect person to spearhead the vision of the Festival.
By leveraging her diverse skills, Karen ensures that every cog in the Festival machine is well-oiled and ready to rock! “My role is to bring the whole team together and provide direction in each area,” says Karen.
Dave Quinn | Artistic Director & Festival Co-Founder
Dave Quinn combines his experience as a musician, his musical education and his love of creating interactive musical experiences into crafting the Festival’s line-ups. He spends an entire year choosing the line-up and making sure that the Festival represents diverse musicians and genres.
“Connecting audiences with new music and musicians with new audiences is something Dave is so passionate about,” says Karen. “The work he does is incredibly intricate.”
"I envision every part of the Festival happening simultaneously," says Dave. "I want to create an experience where each person, no matter when and where they move, gets to hear as much variety as possible within the time they're here. It's all about putting together experiences from hour to hour."
Read more about Dave’s work here.
Production
Barb Fus | Production Manager
Barb Fus has contributed to the success of over 50 festivals in Canada and the US. She has the incredible responsibility of organizing what is required at each of our stages, including everything from sound and music gear to ensuring each stage is set up and managed to perfection! This is her third year with the Festival.
“Barb is constantly liaising with our Artistic Director and Operations Manager to discuss things like infrastructure, stage set-up and equipment delivery,” says Karen. “She also hires the stage managers and organizes the setup and takedown sound crews. She plays such a crucial role.”
Operations
Tom Hammel | Operations Director & Board Director
Tom Hammel and his operations assistant, Karl Dejong, organize the Festival’s infrastructure. Tom arranges everything from tents and chairs to electrical power, fencing, portable washrooms and radios, garbage disposal, water stations and so much more! He also deals with our venue contracts and arrangements and creates very precise site maps. This is Tom’s third year with the Festival. He is also on the Festival Board.
“Tom is incredibly detailed,” says Karen. “His role is pivotal in making sure everything is in order.”
“I love the buzz and excitement that takes over the whole Village of Fort Langley during the weekend of the Festival,” says Tom. He also loves working alongside dedicated volunteers and staff!
When Tom isn’t creating charts, site maps and organizing, you can find him playing the pedal steel guitar for several roots and Americana groups.
Marketing & Communications
The extraordinary individuals and organizations that make up our marketing and communications team has helped create a strong brand image for the Festival. They work together to implement effective strategies for promoting the event while maintaining the Festival’s website, social media, advertising, media relations and more.
“There’s a lot of collaboration between our communications and marketing team,” says Karen. “They work really hard to ensure that content gets produced and scheduled properly.”
James Waugh | Graphic Design
James Waugh has masterfully completed graphic design projects for various clients and industries, ranging from industrial tool catalogues to projects for the performing arts. He approaches each graphic design venture with the firm belief that graphic design is a problem-solving tool that connects people to the products they use and the events they attend.
“As the graphic designer for the Festival’s creative team, I’m enjoying putting together the graphics to showcase the event for the Langley community and region,” said James. “I hope it helps event attendees have an enjoyable and memorable experience.”
Peak to Moon Creative | Copywriting, social media management, blogging
Karen Kornelsen of Peak to Moon Creative is passionate about helping non-profits and businesses grow and succeed. Her services include copy and content writing, digital marketing and consulting. She enjoys working with “brands who give a damn” and female entrepreneurs.
Karen loves what the Festival has done for the community. When asked what she likes most about working with the Festival, she said, “I love working with such a driven and passionate group of people. It’s such a collaborative process, and I’m so grateful to put my skills to use for such an incredible event.”
Longhouse Media | Digital Marketing
Longhouse Media does a beautiful job of helping local businesses build their online presence through web design, search engine optimization, social media, video production and advertising.
“We love working with the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival because of its vibrant spirit and the passion of everyone involved,” said Keenan Beavis, the founder and lead growth consultant of Longhouse Media. “The ability of the Festival to bring people together through the power of music and art and leave a lasting impression with both the audience and performers is fantastic.”
Laura Ballance Media Group | Public Relations
Laura Ballance Media Group (LBMG) helps businesses and non-profits succeed with their public relations campaigns. They’ve helped organizations ranging from local governments to community associations and performances amplify their public awareness through media coverage and beyond.
“LBMG is thrilled to be part of the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival team,” said Laura Balance. “We know that music and cultural are integral parts of the fabric of every community and the incredible work this event does in showcasing local, regional and international artists to music fans of all ages, ethnicities and economic circumstance is a valuable contributor to the social health of our region”
Indigenous Art & Cultural Exhibition Coordinator
Lenny Fisher
After Lenny Fisher’s time as a volunteer at last year’s festival, he was appointed our Indigenous Art & Cultural Exhibition Coordinator. He received the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Music Industry Professionals Grant in order to dedicate his time and resources to ensuring the exhibition runs smoothly.
“Lenny is responsible for everything at the cultural exhibition, including workshops, demonstrations, food, volunteers, and setup and teardown,” says Karen.
“I love inviting the potential for systemic and social change through arts and music,” says Lenny. “I’m glad I can participate on a personal and communal level.”
Read more about Lenny’s exciting new role here.
Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah Lohnes
New to the Festival this year, Hannah Lohnes works closely with the production and operations crews to make sure that their volunteer needs are met.
“Hannah gets to know all of the volunteer requirements for each venue area, but she also thinks about what’s needed at each station, venue and stage from a volunteer’s perspective,” says Karen.
“I’m so excited to be able to work with our amazing volunteers to create the best event possible,” says Hannah.
Board of Directors
The Festival’s Board of Directors are a hard-working bunch! Not only do they provide oversight and direction for the Festival, but they also involve themselves in Festival events. “Everyone rolls up their sleeves and helps where needed,” says Karen. “The board’s hands-on approach has been essential to the festival’s success.”
Andy Schildhorn | Board Chair & Festival Co-Founder
Andy Schildhorn was instrumental in getting the Festival off its feet and continues to devote his time to making it outstanding. Music has always been a big part of his life, and he believes that cultural celebrations in the Fort Langley community and beyond are incredibly important.
“You can find Andy doing all kinds of tasks for the Festival,” says Karen. “He’s our go-to guy for just about anything, including coffee runs!”
“Being part of an event that brings joy to so many people and contributes to the community gives me a great sense of purpose and fulfillment,” says Andy.
Jeanette Y. Martin | Public Outreach
Jeanette Y. Martin oversees and coordinates fundraising activities such as our 50/50 draws and other outreach projects. She also contributes to our live social media posts during the weekend of the Festival. Jeanette has been involved with the Festival since its inception in 2018!
“I think Jeanette walked 43,000 steps at last year’s Festival as she made her way to each venue taking live social media posts,” laughs Karen.
On top of getting to know our musician’s backstories and chatting with artists about their muses, Jeanette also loves seeing the community come together. “It’s amazing to see people, young and old, enjoying the music at each stage. I love seeing the spontaneous dancing and checking out all the Kidz Zone activities.”
Lucia Steeg | Art Market Coordinator
Lucia Steeg works tirelessly to organize the art vendor market at the Festival and did a spectacular job of coordinating our Virtual Art Walk for the two years of COVID-19 lockdowns. This is her fourth year with the Festival.
“I love the passion and dedication of everyone involved in making this festival a reality each year,” says Lucia. “So much goes on behind the scenes to bring music and arts to the community at large.” Lucia also loves expanding her music and arts knowledge at the Festival.
Lucia is also a mixed-media artist (Messy Meerkat Studios) and a self-proclaimed craft addict.
Petrina Arnason | Board Director & Mardi Gras Strolling Parade Marshall
Petrina Arnason assists in leading the Festival’s highly anticipated opening event - the Mardi Gras Strolling Parade. The event runs from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Fort Langley Community Hall and is a great time to get dressed up and enjoy exciting music.
In addition to the unparalleled opportunity to see top-notch musicians perform in the historic Village, Petrina also loves the camaraderie of the Festival organizers. “There is always an abundance of energy and positivity around every discussion and an undeniable common passion that keeps everyone motivated as the festival continues to evolve,” she says.
Special Event Coordinators
Through Canada Summer Jobs, we bring on summer students who act as Special Event Coordinators for each venue area, every year. These students are responsible for coordinating the daytime activities at the Community Hall, Kidz Zone, Art Zone and other free events, as well as the ticketed Cool Blues Show.
That’s a wrap!
We’re grateful to have grown so much in the last six years that we can work and collaborate with such a dedicated organizing team. The success of the Festival would not be possible without them, and the hard work of our board, volunteers, sponsors and supporters; it really does take a village.
Read more about the Festival’s humble beginnings here.