With every good festival, eventually a time for change is called for. That time has arrived for Sunshine Music Festival. After nine years as artistic director, Clay Brander has decided to pass the mantle to Robert Mackle.
“It takes a lot of time and I didn’t have as much enthusiasm for it as I once did,” said Brander. “I wasn’t out looking for new bands, I was falling back on the ones booked in previous years. It was time for a new vision; it’s nice to have a change.”
According to Brander, one thing he will miss about organizing the annual event, which takes place Labour Day weekend at Palm Beach Regional Park, is that it is “fun to put on a party.”
His biggest challenge, said Brander, and now that of his successor, is trying to find new acts from hundreds of applications received each year, before they become too big and eclipse the festival’s price range.
“One of the things the festival has done remarkably well over the years is find acts about to break onto the scene and get some recognition and pump up their price,” said Mackle. “We can afford them when they’re just starting out and give them a boost.”
This year the festival is recognizing local musicians who, although not new, have inspired musical leadership in the community and promoted inclusiveness and accessibility. Its first community music award will be presented to One Voices Choir director Julia Adam.
“I was surprised and super touched that someone out there took the time to nominate me and totally grateful that I received it,” said Adam.
Adam is leaving Powell River temporarily to study to become a registered music therapist and learn about the research behind the health benefits of music. After each of her three years of studies, Adam will return in the summer to conduct One Voices. When her studies are complete, she plans to come back and set up a practice.
“I received the phone call from Robert and he mentioned that I had won the award,” said Adam. “I promised him that with the expense of going to school, every single dollar of this award money would be going to a good place.”
Adam will receive one per cent of gate revenue collected on Saturday, September 3. Other nominees for the award included Lukah Bouchard, Cameron Twyford, Devin Pielle and Chris Weekes.
The always unpredictable, punky and sometimes outrageous Twyford will play the festival as Little Pharmer. Silver Atlas will also perform. The local alternative rockers’ lineup includes Jasper Sassaman (vocals/guitar), Ben Wayne Kyle (vocals/guitar) and Austin Parise (drums) filling in for Adam Robertson. A third musician from Powell River, Felicia Joseph, will also appear.
Before stepping aside, Brander worked on a new performance stage to be built for next year.
“After 35 years the festival will have a new look; a new stage,” said Brander. “It’s not just for the festival. I’d like to see a PRISMA concert there, a Kathaumixw performance and a series through the summer of live performances, because we’ll have this great venue and it’s a beautiful location.”
While the festival evolves, what makes it special, according to Brander and Mackle, is the old, tried and true. For some people, summer is not over until Sunshine Music Festival concludes, they said, adding that friends and families have grown with it since they were babies and others have attended all 35 years.
“I’ve always been impressed with it,” said Mackle. “Watching that idyllic little glade of Palm Beach turn into this wonderful village of family and old friends. It’s a great tradition, making new friends, seeing old friends and watching their kids grow up.”
For more information and schedule, go to sunshinemusicfest.com.
