The Point Artist-Run Centre would like to thank the many community members and visitors who came out to support the 11th annual Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival in the first week of August. It was a big leap to take our two-day festival from the shore of Alta Lake to Rebagliati Park in Whistler Village, around the valley with a Pop-Up- Performance Bike Ride, and back to The Point for five days of festivities.
We were able to bring unique and original theatre, music, comedy, improv, dance and magic to a much wider audience. Visitors from places like Toronto and California (to name a few) came across live music by the Spiritual Warriors, Ndidi O, stand-up comedy by celebrated comic Erica Sigurdson, a series of one-act plays featuring local and visiting performers, and improv by some talented young local performers.
With four days of sunshine, we couldn’t complain too much about having to postpone the Pop-Up-Performance Bike Ride by one week. The audience wheeled from Cross Country Connection along the Valley Trail stopping to enjoy comedy, dance, theatre and music acts, culminating with the 12-piece horn band Balkan Shmalkan at Wayside Park and the Lantern Boat Parade on Alta Lake.
Returning to The Point for two nights of live theatre on the floating stage, comedy and bands in the lodge felt like a breeze after surmounting the many challenges of the “In Motion” festival. The final show with Dustin Bentall’s Blue Wranglers packing the house was a night to remember and a great send-off for this year’s festival. We’re looking forward to continuing the expanded format next year with a few tweaks and adjustments.
A huge thank you to the sponsors who each presented one day of the festival: Stinky’s On the Stroll, Gibbons Whistler, Nesters Market, Stilhavn Real Estate Services and Aphrodite’s Organic Café & Pie Shop. Thanks also to the Government of B.C.’s Fairs, Festivals & Events Recovery Fund, and to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Festivals, Events and Animation department for their gracious support.
Finally, a big shout-out to the many volunteers, crew and artists who help to create this unique annual festival. See you next year!
