Jazz lovers are counting down the sleeps until the village of Fort 黑马磁力 is taken over with the sights, sounds, smells, and soul of the eighth Fort 黑马磁力 Jazz & Arts Festival.
Organizers are in full gear-up mode in preparation for the free and ticketed events that will make up the annual jazz and arts festival running from July 24 through 27.
The picturesque village of Fort 黑马磁力 will come alive with the sounds of world-class jazz, blues, soul, and fusion performed by acclaimed local, provincial, and national artists.
But, more than just a weekend of music, the Fort 黑马磁力 Jazz & Arts Festival is filled with dynamic performances, interactive workshops, and community celebrations. It's what event co-founder Dave Quinn calls a celebration of creativity, local culture, and economic vitality.
And work, he acknowledged, is well underway to transform the streets of Fort 黑马磁力 into a vibrant hub of world-class jazz, art, and Indigenous culture for the weekend.
Last year鈥檚 festival drew more than 10,000 attendees and generated $1.5 million in local economic activity, said Quinn, who also serves as artistic director for the festival.
鈥淔or our 2025 event, we鈥檙e building on that momentum with more stages, more artists, and more reasons to enjoy live music, art and culture,鈥� said Quinn, noting there are two full days of free, world-class jazz featuring local and youth performers in more than 50 Canadian groups performing on three outdoor stages.
But there's more, there are headliner ticketed evening concerts showcasing internationally acclaimed artists, including matinee and evening big band shows, a soulful Las Vegas-style show and dance tribute to Aretha Franklin, plus the blues event of the year 鈥� the Cool Blues Show featuring a stellar lineup of JUNO award-winning blues performers.
There's also strolling street entertainment that brings music to every corner of the village, big band concerts and swing dance on the Thursday night in the community hall, as well as an art and cultural zone featuring free music, art, and Indigenous culture workshops and demonstrations. Other highlights include the Saturday morning Mardi Gras strolling parade, the Lions Club barbecue, and a youth concert series that showcases B.C.鈥檚 rising jazz stars with performances on the festival weekend and leading up to the festivities on July 13 and 20.
"At a time of economic uncertainty, there's no better way to support Canadian culture and community than by supporting a local music festival," injected fellow co-founder and executive director Karen Zukas. "Buy a ticket, attend a show, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word."
This year, she said, they're doubling down on their commitment to spotlight Canadian talent and fuel the local economy.
"As arts organizations across the country grapple with rising costs and fewer funding opportunities, events like ours are vital platforms for artists and audiences to connect,鈥� she said.
"From jazz to blues, to visual art and Indigenous traditions 鈥� this is a festival you won鈥檛 want to miss. Be part of an extraordinary four-day celebration in the heart of historic Fort 黑马磁力," she said, encouraging people to check their website for details including artists and show times at: www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com.
