After months of talking, hoping and planning this year’s Revelstoke Spirit Fest was officially opened last Friday, offering residents and visitors nine days of fun at about 60 different events.
The official kickoff event — the Visual Arts Centre’s Anything Goes 2 Art Exhibition on Friday evening — was a huge success.
“We received 49 canvases and sales totalled $3,350,” Centre Executive Director Jackie Pendergast said. “After some 50% commissions (to artists) we made a profit of $2,240. The highest sales of the evening were David Walker with Mt. Mackenzie Valley Floor View which sold for $205 and Zuzanna Driediger’s Fire Raven selling at $200. 160 people attended the event. The door prize was won by Neills Kristensen. It was an amazing evening!”
Saturday’s Carousel of Nations was also something of a blowout with over 1,000 people in attendance.
So far almost everything planned has come off as expected except for the Amazing Race, which was cancelled due to lack of interest, and the Outhouse Races which saw only three entries. It should be noted, however, that traditional winter event did draw a small but enthusiastic crowd down to Centennial Park just before the Carousel of Nations.
And there is more to come over the final four days of the Spirit Fest, including what promises to be a terrific concert by Sister Girl at the Big Eddy Pub on Thursday evening and amazing films during next weekend’s Mountain Roots Film Festival. For details please click here to the go to the Spirit Fest website.
Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a a selection of photos take over the first five days of this year’s Spirit Fest:
Savage Delights columnist Leslie Savage began preparing 400 Colombian empanadas on Friday with her friends Tanis Rebbetoy (enter) and Helen Brum. David F. Rooney photoBenoit's Wine Bar was packed last Friday for an early evening of fondue and fine wine. Keri Knapp photoPoppi Reiner and David Rooney enjoyed a merry evening at Benoit's before attending the Visual Arts Centre's Anything Goes 2 Art Show, which officially kicked off this year's Spirit Fest. Keri Knapp photoMayor David Raven kicked off the 2012 Spirit Fest at the opening of the Anything Goes 2 Art Exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre. Spirit Fest Chairman Garry Pendergast was very pleased with the way this year's events have, for the most part, proceeded. David F. Rooney photoThis was part of the crowd at the Anything Goes 2 Arts Show last Friday. Jackie Pendergast, executive director of the Visual Arts Centre, said 48 of the 49 canvasses hung for the show were sold. This was The Centre's largest single fundraiser for the year. "After some 50% commissions we made a profit of $2,240," she said. "The highest sales of the evening were David Walker with Mt. Mackenzie Valley Floor View which sold for $205 and Zuzanna Driediger's Fire Raven selling at $200. 160 people attended the event. The door prize was won by Neills Kristensen. It was an amazing evening!" David F. Rooney photoMy don't they look blingy! David F. Rooney photoMelissa Jamieson and Alex Cooper scoped out the actions at the Top Bloke Contest's Speed Dating event for The Times Review. David F. Rooney photoWannabe Top Blokes pose for a photo at the beginning of the Speed Dating portion of this year's Top Bloke Contest at the Last Drop. Which of these guys would YOU want to date? Knapp photoThe Top Bloke contestants were ready to mambo... er, ah... ZUMBA! Keri Knapp photoTop Bloke Judges Neills Kristensen and Angela Waterson had fun writing up the contestants. Keri Knapp photo
Amy Flexman served up hot dogs and delicious sausages on a bun at Saturday afternoon's Outhouse Races. David F. Rooney photoMembers of the Pooder Xpress performed at the Outhouse Race. David F. RooneyThe Super Poopers had the best times throughout the traditiional races. David F. Rooney photoThe French Poopers (center) pose with their competitors at the end of the races. Who won? David F. Rooney photoThe Super Poopers came in first and not only cracked some mock champagne but good-naturedly showered their opponents with it. David F. Rooney photoThe Carousel of Nations attracted more than 1,000 people to its displays of dancing, singing, arts, crafts and — of course — foods from around the world. David F. Rooney photoThe Revelstoke Highlanders touched the hearts of all good Gaels with their drum and bagpipe tunes. David F. Rooney photoIt's no secret that EZ Rock's Steve Smith love to EmCee and he did a credible job of it at the Carousel of Nations where, among other things, he introduced Mayor David Raven and BR Whalen, one of the Carousel's organizers, to the crowd. David F. Rooney photoThis was — you guessed it! — one of several spaces where very young kids could play at the Carousel. David F. Rooney photo
The Rocky Mountain Rangers drum line were right on the money during their performance at the Carousel. David F. Rooney photoThe Indian dancing by Jennifer Crockford's circle of dancers was pretty good. David F. Rooney photoYuko Fujimura showed kids how to make origami. David F. Rooney photoBartolo Armenteros and Cathy Suchy performed an exciting set of Cuban dances. David F. Rooney photoThe English as a Second Language booth saw a far amount of action. David F. Rooney photoElvira Brunner and Daniel Weber help a customer at their Crescendo booth. Their First Street West shop provides Revelstoke with high quality spices and oils from abroad. David F. Rooney photoDavid Savage and Tannis Rebbetoy serve up hot and tasty colombian empanadas to waiting customers. David's wife, Current columnist Leslie Savage, spent days preparing about 400 empanadas she hoped would be a hit with Revelstokians. They certainly were. David F. Rooney photoThere was a lot of action in the main hallway portion of the Carousel, too. David F. Rooney photo
Chris Johnson and Gwen Lips had a swell time introducing their daughter Bridget to Revelstoke's celebration of ethnicity. Photo courtesy of BR WhalenThe Kokoma African Heritage Ensemble amazed and delighted the audience at the Carousel. Photo courtesy of BR WhalenThe first Cocoa House for young musical performers was delightful with performances by young musicians such as Callum Gribbon. Laura Stovel photoThe band Shin Bang played some lively songs. From left to right: Dennis Severino, Tashi Townley, Shey Townley and John Townley. Laura Stovel photoSinger Soleil Kelly sings a cowgirl song. Laura Stovel photoTettey Tetteh played Linus and Lucy on piano. Laura Stovel photoThe popular band, What's that Noise? featured singer Hailey Christie-Hoyle, drummer William MacDonald, guitarist Mackenzie Mallet, Nii Noi Tettey playing shakers and Tettey Tetteh on piano. Laura Stovel photoPerformers from The Kokoma African Heritage Ensemble held a well-attended drumming workshop on Sunday. Photo courtesy of BR Whalen
Emma Kirkland her sister Lynne enjoyed a sisterly moment at the Tapas and Tunes Jazz Night at Wino's at RMR on Tuesday evening where the Bob Rogers Trio played some pretty cool music. David F. Rooney photoJazz seemed to to the theme of the night as the Fourth Street Jazz Project performed at Benoit's Wine Bar on Tuesday evening. David F. Rooney photo
