Parksville and Qualicum Beach both have a full slate of free activities planned for BC Culture Days this fall, with Parksville receiving the honour of being the provincial host kickoff city.
The fun starts Sept. 20 and lasts until Oct. 13, with the official kick off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 21 including a full day of activities at the Jensen Centre (132 Jensen Ave E).
There will be an opening ceremony and blessings by Chief Michael Recalma of the Qualicum First Nation, followed by a welcome address for the City of Parksville by Coun. Sean Wood, speaking on behalf of Mayor Doug O'Brien, and greetings from Coun. Mary Beil, Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum and BC Culture Days ambassador Annabelle Bail, according to a news release by BC Culture Days.
“We hope to inspire families and individuals to discover the rich arts, culture, and heritage that define our beautiful community,” said Pattiann Withapea, Parksville community organizer and lead chair of the BC Culture Days 2024 Kickoff Planning and Funding Committee. “We’re excited for people to immerse themselves in our vibrant lineup of performances, explore the artists’ village, and experience the cultural village, featuring 20 market tents where community members can enjoy traditional foods, clothing, music, dance, arts and crafts and much more.”
“The City of Parksville is thrilled to support our community’s BC Culture Days and it is an honour to have been chosen as the host city for 2024,” said Parksville mayor Doug O’Brien. “Culture Days promotes awareness, participation and engagement in arts and culture for all and we look forward to an exciting three weeks of events and activities.”
Parksville and Qualicum Beach will each host a hub. The Parksville and Oceanside Community Culture Days Hub is organized by Oceanside Community Culture Days Committee, while the Qualicum Beach Hub, with its theme “Tree to Sea” is organized by Diane Moran.
That theme is inspired both by National Tree Day, which falls on Sept. 21, as well as the many local organizations who are interested in the preservation of trees, according to Moran.
Combine that with the fact that World Rivers Day is Sept. 22 and “it was a natural thing to do,” Moran said. “It’s about making those connections and using art to inspire and educate people about topics that are really important.”
An art exhibition by Ucluelet artist Kimberly Leckey is already on display at the Qualicum Beach VIRL branch as of Sept. 11. She specializes in using recycled, upcycled and marine debris material to construct unique macra-weave projects.
“She actually forages these items, so she finds netting and rope and floats along the beaches in Ucluelet and creates beautiful artwork out of them," Moran said.
2024 schedule
Parksville Hub:
Sept. 20 to Oct. 13 - Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild hosts "Loom-Unity: Creating Community Together" in the Atrium of Parksville Civic and Technology Centre (100 Jensen Ave E).
Sept. 21 - BC Culture Days Provincial Kickoff from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jensen Centre.
Sept. 27 - “Imbibe Story Slam" with Michelle Manke will be on at the McMillan Arts Centre (133 McMillan Street) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sept. 28 - A community mural project called "Graffiti for REAL" with Adam Lewis is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jensen Centre.
Oct. 13 - The "Popoola Palooza" scrap metal sculpture project, with metal sculptor Dotun Popoola, is planned from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Jensen Centre.
Qualicum Beach Hub:
Sept. 11 to Oct. 12 - Exhibition Sea Woven x Salvaged featuring work of fibre artist Kimberly Leckey at the Qualicum Beach VIRL branch (660 Primrose St);
Return of the Salmon pop up art display will be in the library’s children section;
Decorate a Fish and Tree Art - Pick up a paper leaf, salmon, or tree cutout and create some of your own art. Share a heartfelt message or memory” to show how we are all impacted and influenced by the theme “Tree to Sea”.
Sept. 21 - Film, FireSmart and Fun Day will be held at Meadowood Community Hall (1810 Galvin Pl). Drop by anytime between 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Save your spot for the 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. film screenings of Back Home Again.
Sept. 29 - “Blue Ecology Hope for the Future" with Michael Blackstock is set for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Berwick Qualicum Beach (120 First Ave). Limited seating available; RSVP is recommended.
Sept. 30 - “Talking Circle" with Blackstock of Blue Ecology will be goes from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Berwick Qualicum Beach. Limited seating available; RSVP is recommended.
Oct. 12 - Public talk with artist Kimberly Leckey at 2:30pm at Qualicum Beach VIRL branch
The Route 19A Arts Festival will be a multi-studio art tour with 33 participating artists organized by Lighthouse Hall Community Centre. The tour extends along Route 19A from Qualicum Beach to Union Bay on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To see all the BC Culture Days event in the PQB area, check out the Qualicum Beach hub at https://culturedays.ca/en/hubs/44fd1663-c06f-4170-a764-ca975d2e42fb and the Parksville hub at https://culturedays.ca/en/hubs/1bfdf10e-d215-4134-ba45-04e83b2114ce.
