Thousands will set sail with BC Ferries this month bound for the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) Festival in Powell River.
According to a media release from BC Ferries, this is the 10th anniversary for the event, which runs June 13 to 25, and for the seventh consecutive year, BC Ferries is proud to return as the presenting sponsor. The festival brings together talented and enthusiastic classical musicians and fans to the community and the ancestral territories of Tla’amin Nation.
“BC Ferries helps weave the west coast fabric that connects the communities where we all live and work,” stated Janet Carson, BC Ferries’ vice president of marketing and customer experience. “We are honoured to be part of this festival and the opportunity it offers to support youth, foster young talent, and bring people together to enjoy a west coast music experience like no other.”
Some key events of this year’s festival include the gala grand opening concert on June 16, the PRISMA on the Beach event, which is a concert for the public on Willingdon Beach on June 18, and the sail to the symphony matinee on June 25, where 300 foot passengers travel from Comox to Powell River for lunch and a serenade. The ferries sail at 9:55 am – Comox to Powell River, and 5:15 pm – Powell River to Comox.
The first PRISMA festival took place in 2013 and since then the organization has mentored more than 500 students from 32 countries, while attracting internationally-renowned guest artists. More than 5,000 people will attend the events, concerts, classes and recitals every day, and the PRISMA Festival Orchestra will perform three full symphony concerts for those in attendance.
“BC Ferries is the perfect fit as our presenting sponsor and it’s a partnership that has flourished over the years,” stated Arthur Arnold, co-founder and artistic director of PRISMA. “Music is the soul of this event, but we are reminded of how the beauty of the region helps inspire the students and how marine travel amplifies the experience.”
BC Ferries wants customers to know June 25 will be a popular travel day between Comox and Powell River with the sail to the symphony event and weekend travellers. Anticipate heavy traffic on the 9:55 am sailing from Comox and 5:15 pm sailing departing Powell River that day. To make an advance booking or check schedule information, go to bcferries.com.
To book a PRISMA festival getaway to or from Powell River, or find out more about BC Ferries vacations packages on the Sunshine Coast, go to bcferries.com/vacations. For information on the 2022 PRISMA Festival, go to prismafestival.com.
