If last year was any indication, Durham ArtsFest resonated with hundreds who soaked in the art-vibe. This year, on Saturday, July 13th, a portion of Queen Street will again be closed for a live-band dance party. There will also be free activities for all ages, and art vendors.
For the week leading up to the festival, July 6-13, storefronts in downtown Durham will be transformed into pop-up art galleries. Presenting partners Durham B.I.A. and the West Grey Durham Lions Club have teamed up for a second year to showcase amazing regional artists and artisans and enthral regulars and visitors alike. The burst of colour and form will be a welcome addition to what is already a lively downtown.
It’s an impressive lineup for our free Street Dance Party Fundraiser on Saturday night. Saugeen Rhythm Revival will play at 5pm; local funk band, Higher Funktion has been invited back, and will play at 7pm; and our headliner, Flashback, begins at 9pm. The street party will have fun and games for everyone from 10am until 10pm, and a Lions Club-run beer garden and BBQ will be in the municipal parking lot on Queen Street from 1pm to 10pm. The whole affair will raise funds for improvements to the park, so bring your loonies & toonies, or more, to donate!
Watch this space as the schedule develops (more will be added and confirmed):
Art in the windows on Garafraxa St. (see map below)
10am to 8pm-ish Artists’ tents and activities: Anna Gruda, Pat MacDowell, West Grey Library, Youth art sponsored by Chelsea Miller, Colouring Corner at the Colour Jar/Info tent, and more…
10am and 11am Songs and Stories with Tammy (On the grass beside the municipal parking lot) Children can join in on their favourite songs and stories with Durham EarlyOn Centre
10am-12pm Free ice cream at the Northern Credit Union
10pm to 5pm Finders Keepers: Durham Art Gallery Scavenger Hunt (begins at the gallery)
12pm and on: Queen street closed, Art installation with Bruce Parsons, Giant Art puzzles, picture-taking with large festival frame, entrance walkway by Chelsea Miller
1pm-10pm Lion’s BBQ tent
1pm-11pm Lion’s Beer garden
1pm Sauntering Band: An eclectic mix of international music with a New Orlean’s flair. Watch this Durham community-based fun group saunter (no marching allowed!) down Garafraxa St. to kick the music into high gear.
3pm Celtic Circle: A Saugeen Music School performance group. Come out and hear the timeless and traditional sounds of Celtic folk Music.
5pm Saugeen Rhythm Revival: Reveres the roots of rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring a mixture of original tunes, surf, pop, and roots music, they are one part shake, one part rattle, and one part roll.
7pm Higher Funktion: The very popular and horn-powered group returns to the ArtsFest stage. We’ve got “Funktion” in the junction once more in Durham!
9pm Flashback: This year’s headliner delivers the monumental sounds of the 60s and 70s. They perform until closing and are guaranteed to take care of any toes left untapped!
Durham ArtsFest 2019 Volunteer Committee
April Barker, secretary
Kathy Chiu, treasurer
Timothy Dyck, chair
Barb Dyck
Lindsey Glazier
Doug Hutchinson
Andy MacGregor
Emma-Cole McCubbin
Chelsea Miller
Lindon Stone
Main Sponsors
Durham BIA (downtown businesses)
Durham Lions
If you would like to volunteer, click here to add your name, or contact Tim at The Colour Jar 519-369-1283. Duties might include helping to guide people, collecting donations and just tidying up.
