Eight new murals are the undisputed stars of the 2024 Chilliwack Mural Festival but an impressive array of live entertainment is coming to downtown Chilliwack Aug. 15 to 17.
The annual mural fest, presented by the Chilliwack Arts Council, has more than 40 performers lined up to wow the crowds.
Fans of the spraypaint might want to check out the first Graffiti Jam, hosted by graffiti artists JNASTY from Vancouver and MIRV1 of Chilliwack. They’ll be doing their thing Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mill Street parking lot with some muralists.
They’ll also talk about the history of graffiti, help anyone design a tag, or create something on the double-sided wall set up for the jam. It’s open to all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.
A few roving performers will also be out and about, including Friday and Saturday, when members of the Vancouver Circus School will delight crowds with acrobatics and moving art. On Saturday, look for Balkan Shmalkan, a group known as East Van’s dance party orchestra.
Mural fans can participate in a mural tour, courtesy of event partners, Chilliwack Tours. Free mural tours will be offered on Aug. 15 and 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 17 at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
The new graffiti jam on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. will be in the Mill Street parking lot. (Chilliwack Mural Festival/Facebook)
This year’s muralists were chosen by festival curators Carrielynn Victor, Amber Price and Lise Oakley, and include local artists from Chilliwack, Seabird Island and Yeqwyeqwí:ws First Nations, as well as artists from Argentina, Belgium, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Sasquatch Stage, presented by The Georgia Straight, will feature alt-country, indie and rock bands Spank Williams, Sleepy Gonzales and The Relevators on Friday evening. On Saturday, the stage will include upbeat performances by Sadé Awele and Serengeti, Las Empanadas Illegales, Vox Rea, Kara Kata Afrobeat Group and Muévete.
The Thunderbird Stage, presented by District 1881 and Algra Bros., will showcase Indigenous culture by Pilalt Warriors, beatbox performances by The Wookiez, and Higher Ground dance battles on Friday evening, as well as line dancing and Bollywood dance lessons, dance battles and beatboxing workshops on Saturday.
Bricklayer Brewing has been added as a venue to host Chilliwack Mural Festival Nights, a free evening concert series on Thursday and Friday. Performers include Beach Moms, Daniel with the Visions and Summer Eyes on Thursday, and The Sylvia Platters, girly., and Hollow Twin on Friday.
Saturday, Aug. 15, will see solo busking performances by local artists on Victoria and outside The Offy in District 1881.
Court Lane will feature a stage in the alley with performances by Nathan Barrett, Michaela Slinger, Haleluyah Hailu, Western Jaguar, and Velavox. Friday and Saturday will also feature Balkan Shmalkan and Vancouver Circus School performers.
Chantelle Trainor-Matties will brings the ‘Indigi-Pokemon’ community mural to life on Saturday, Aug. 17, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The 2024 muralists include: Fio Silva, Guillem Font, Juanjo Surace, NEAN, Ovila Mailhot, Sophie Mess, Leon Keer, and Terry Horne and Jordyn Horne.
To join a mural tour on Saturday, simply arrive five to 10 minutes before the hour in Sasquatch Alley, with no registration needed. They are taking registration for Thursday and Friday mural tours at 6 p.m. Register at mural fest.
See all the weekend event details at chilliwackmuralfestival.com\
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