Guelph Festivals Celebrate Landmark Anniversaries

From Arts in Guelph- March/April, 2003

by Anna Contini

This season several festivals in Guelph and area are celebrating significant anniversaries. Throughout 2003, the community will come to life with the sounds of music and much more. Here's a summary of what's happening:

Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, taking place April 3-6, 2003, is celebrating its 5th Anniversary. The four-day event focuses on the art of contemporary dance while providing dance artists with an opportunity to perform outside of major metropolitan areas. It encourages and expands local dance talent and brings professional choreographers, performers and teachers from across Canada to Guelph. The Mainstage Series, Youth Moves Series, Site-Specific Series, Noon-Time Series and various workshops provide audiences with several diverse means of inspiration, participation and behind-the-scenes information.

Guelph Arts Festival, taking place September 26-28, 2003, is also celebrating a 5th Anniversary. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to the promotion and celebration of the arts in this city. It welcomes and supports artists at all stages of their careers in disciplines such as dance, music, performance, spoken word, media arts, visual art and craft. The Festival serves as a framework and impetus for artists and volunteers to organize events showcasing the rich cultural offerings of the region. The annual open house weekend invites the public into many artists' workspaces and also brings art out into public spaces.

Guelph Jazz Festival, taking place September 3-7, 2003, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Recognized internationally, nationally and locally in jazz magazines, newspapers and radio, the Festival has won the hearts of jazz fans and artists alike who relish its sense of community and "convention-defying" programming. The mandate of the Festival is to promote an interest in and an appreciation of jazz, creative improvised music, and their related arts. One of their main goals is to develop a program that reflects the most compelling and innovative accomplishments in this area of music. For its landmark anniversary, the Festival has commissioned a jazz opera with libretto by Governor General Award Winner George Elliott Clarke, and composed by pianist D. D. Jackson.

Eden Mills Writers' Festival is celebrating its 15th Anniversary on September 7, 2003. The festival focuses on the literary arts and takes place each September on the Sunday following Labour Day in the hamlet of Eden Mills, Ontario. It offers audiences a one-of-a-kind experience to see some of Canada's finest writers read in a beautiful, bucolic setting. This year's Festival will include many award-winning authors.

Hillside Festival is celebrating its 20th Anniversary July 25-27, 2003. The three-day event takes place in the idyllic setting of Guelph Lake Island and offers an eclectic mix of musical genres. It features performances by local and international artists, cross-genre jam sessions, a spoken word stage, hand-drumming area and a range of community workshops. Hillside also hosts an environmental expo, aboriginal circle, a children's area, healing arts and women's tents, a craft vending area and an International Food Pavilion. To commemorate its 20th Anniversary, the Festival will be mounting a project entitled The Hillside Moment when individuals will be invited to share their own special "Hillside moments" through any chosen medium.

Guelph Spring Festival is celebrating its 36th season April 25-May 11, 2003. Founded in 1968, the Festival presents an annual creative celebration of the performing arts, primarily classical music from the 15th century to the present day, with a special emphasis on the works of Canadian composers. While committed to sustaining its national and international reputation, the Festival serves a regional audience through an integrated artistic and educational program. As well as mainstage events, the Festival offers community concerts, public lectures and an extensive educational program.

Congratulations to all of the above Festivals for celebrating so many great years - and to all the dedicated individuals who have worked so hard to make them a success. Collectively, they have greatly enriched this community.

For more information on Guelph-area festivals, contact Guelph Arts Council (519)836-3280 or e-mail gac@sentext.net.