It’s been a whole year since the very first Ryga Festival.
This homegrown collaboration of local music, theatre and literary pursuits is back and stronger than ever.
The festival honours Summerland resident George Ryga (1932-1987), one of Canada’s greatest writers.
Ryga wrote The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, which awakened the country to the continuing tragedy of Indigenous Peoples and is perhaps the most important play written in English Canada in the past 50 years.
This year, the Ryga Festival society will once again host musicians, actors and writers at the end of August.
The festival will feature the most popular events from last year plus a host of new ones.
The festival will kick off with a concert in the park Wednesday, Aug. 30 featuring the Blue City Trio. Blue City is a Kelowna-based musical trio that have been entertaining Okanagan audiences for over 15 years.
Blue City has developed a hard-earned reputation as one of Kelowna’s finest professional musical acts – covering a spectrum of musical styles from classic rock and pop, to jazz, latin, country and world music.
Ryga’s play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe premiered 50 years ago and will be recognized and discussed on Thursday, Aug. 31 with Rita Joe 50: A Re-Think.
Also Thursday, a reading of Ploughman of the Glacier, published in 1977.
Topping off a packed day is one of my favourite events, Outspoken! in the evening. Last year, this sold-out smorgasbord of spoken word was a big hit.
Friday, Sept. 1 begins with Adrenaline, written and performed by Ahmad Mire’e, a Syrian theatre artist who found refuge in Canada last year.
This one-man show explores the psychological impact of war and loss of loved ones on one man.
Rounding out Friday will be “Seven is the Magic Number”, a magical evening with Ann Mortifee.
Saturday’s events will get you out and about town with an afternoon inspired by Summerland’s Bead Trails and Bottleneck Drive wine trail.
The Ryga Festival’s Theatre Trail is a guided tour to three ‘micro’ performances at ‘pop-up’ venues in our downtown, featuring local storytellers, actors and musicians; inspired by Summerland!
End the day with a spectacular concert at Centre Stage theatre. The Ryga Reunion quartet will combine the talents of the Blue City Trio and Campbell Ryga’s unique jazz style.
This event was sold out and lined-up around the block last year, so get your tickets early.
Sunday morning features a Hootenanny starting at 10 a.m. Bring an instrument if you want to join in, or just bring yourself. Finish off this fabulous weekend with the winning performances of the 10-Minute Play Competition. Definitely something for everyone – come out and steep yourself in creativity.
For details you can go to the Ryga festival website at www.rygafest.ca/festival-events/
Sue Kline is the Community Librarian at the Summerland Branch of the ORL