Full lineup announced for 12th annual Flag Stop Festival

Organizers of this year’s Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival have released the full lineup for the event’s 12 edition, rounding out a jam-packed lineup of live theatre, music and comedy.

The festivities kick off in Whistler Village on Tuesday, Aug. 8 and Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Florence Petersen Park, beginning with a welcome ceremony held by ambassadors from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, followed by free afternoon children’s theatre, a dance party with DJ Ira, and a hilarious walk in the woods with Vancouver actor Jacques Lalonde.

The evening show features live music from Dustin Bentall & The Blue Wranglers, Whistler’s Introduce Wolves, Balkan Shmalkan, and Lil’wat roots band, The Spiritual Warriors, along with fresh tunes spun by local DJ icons, Foxy Moron and Vinyl Ritchie, a performance by Travis the Magician, and live comedy from homegrown Whistler variety show, Laugh Out LIVE!.

“Enjoy a folk festival atmosphere in the centre of Whistler Village with stages, food tables, beer and wine garden, and a spectacular lineup of entertainment,” read a release this week from festival organizers.

The afternoon events run from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 8, and from 6 to 10 p.m. on both Aug. 8 and 9.

Take a break on Thursday. Aug. 10 with Arts Whistler’s whimsical Art on the Lake event, followed by renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn at Olympic Plaza for a free show as part of the Whistler Summer Concert Series.

Then, Flag Stop kicks into high gear on Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12 at The Point Artist-Run Centre on Alta Lake. Born-and-raised Whistler comedian Sarah Ford brings the laughs to open the evening on Friday. You can also catch the premiere of two original plays, Karen McLeod’s poignant Yours Truly, Kay, and John McGie’s soapy farce, Bloppera, on the unique floating stage, on both Aug. 11 and 12.

Inside the heritage lodge, the Friday night fun concludes with East Vancouver country rockers Pistol Whip the Devil, fronted by former Whistlerite and all-around badass Emily Molloy. The festival closes on Saturday night with a performance by blues guitar prodigy Garrett T. Willie, who has been touring the country to rave reviews.

For the full lineup, and to buy tickets, visit thepointartists.com/events/flag-stop-theatre-arts-festival.

[Editor’s note: The author of this article is performing as part of this year’s Flag Stop Festival.]