The first creatiValley festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 25 at The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford.
The celebration welcomes hundreds of visual and performing artists to The Reach from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4. Most events are free to the public.
The free Friday kick-off is also an opening reception for the 2015 Fraser Valley Biennale exhibition featuring 16 Valley artists, and Ready and True: India and the Great War, a historical exhibition curated by Dr. Prabhjot Parmar, along with a mini art market and teaser performances.
An artistans market, co-ordinated by the Abbotsford Arts Council, runs from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 with live entertainment.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, by pre-registration only, also takes place that day at a cost of $16 per person or $30 for two people.
Saturday evening offers a diverse dance showcase featuring performances by Tha Ream Dance Studio, Fraser Valley Irish Dance Association and the Fraser Valley Dance Academy.
On Sunday, Sept. 27 from noon to 3 p.m., it’s the free Sunday Family Arts Extravaganza, including music by Fiddlin’ Frenzy and the Hurricane Fraser Valley Korean Drum Team.
CreatiValley continues from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 with a diverse program of Creative Morning Talks and a Lunchtime Literary Series by a host of topical presenters.
Evening showcases also continue all week with free curated selections of film, literary, theatre, comedy and music programs each day, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) presents a 12-Hour Multidisciplinary Art Marathon from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.
The showcase features UFV students from the disciplines of art history, creative writing, fashion design, graphic and digital design, media and communication studies, theatre, and visual arts.
The marathon culminates in Art Battle Abbotsford with admission prices as follows: $10 for students and Emerge members, $15 for early bird, and $20 at the door.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, creatiValley continues with live painting by artists/teachers Shannon Thiessen and Sheline Neufeldt, while the Abby Road Barbershop Quartet and Grand Square Dancers entertain.
That evening, the Langley Ukulele Ensemble, Susan Choi and Friends, and the Seranata Singers perform.
The festival concludes on Sunday, Oct. 4 with Children and Youth Day, which includes art projects, storytelling by local authors Barbara Nickel and Janet Love Morrison, and an Aboriginal youth program.
For the complete creatiValley program schedule, visit thereach.ca or call 604-864-8087.