The 26th annual Pacific Rim Summer Festival is in full swing.
The festival is put on by the Pacific Rim Arts Society and festival coordinator Jennifer Kidd is stoked to see it unfold over the coming weekends.
"It brings arts and entertainment that we normally wouldn't get in such a remote West Coast region and it brings people together: the community, tourists, locals and businesses," Kidd said.
French Cabaret Fri. 7:30-10 p.m. at TBG
Coming this weekend, it's French Cabaret Night Friday, July 11 from 7:30pm to 10:00pm at Tofino Botanical Gardens, a black-andwhite soirée of francofun. "An occasion to speak a little French, or just enjoy the atmosphere, with live music from 'The Good Ships' and a short theatrical debut of 'The Lady of Larkspur Lotion,' and hors d'oeuvres served by Darwin's Catering," Kidd said.
Circus Workshop for Kids Sat. 10-4 at UCC
Saturday brings "Transporteur de Reves" Circus Workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ucluelet Community Centre. Cost: $50, lunch included.
"This is a one-day circus camp for kids. Children aged 3 -18 welcome. Learn classic circus tricks, including juggling, stilts, acrobatics and much more," Kidd said.
Tuff City Rocks Sat. 5-11 p.m. Village Green
The Tuff City Rocks Open Air Concert is also set for Saturday, July 12 from 5-11 p.m. on Tofino Village Green, Suggested $20 donation -Kids with parents enter free.
Among the acts, George Leach (2014 Juno award-winning performer), Brave New Waves, Dustin Bentall, The Sweet Lowdown, Closing with the 'Fire Cats' fire spinners at dusk.
"Bring a chair and meet us at the Tofino Village Green for an amazing evening of live music and entertainment," said Kidd.
Lucky Trunk Circus Sun. 3-5 p.m. UCC
On Sunday, July 13, the Lucky Trunk Circus comes to town.
"Lucky Trunk" Transporteur de Reves Circus Performance on from 3-5 p.m. at Ucluelet Community Centre. Cost: $5 Kids, $10 Adults.
"Come and see this cavalcade of circus acts and multidisciplinary performances starring 'Ben la Barouette,'" Kidd said. "This is a fun event for the whole family." Tickets at the door, cash only.
Still to come July 18- 20:
Dance Camp Community Performance, Friday, July 18, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, Ucluelet Community Centre.
"Flamenco de la Costa" Friday, July 18, 2014 -8:00pm to 9:30pm. Venue: Marina West Motel -Harbour Lounge. Cost: $10
Saturday, July 19, 2014 -8:00pm to 9:30pm. Venue: Green Point Campground Theatre. Cost: $12
Festival Closing Reception in the Gardens, Sunday, July 20, 2014 -2:00pm to 5:00pm, Tofino Botanical Gardens. Cost: By donation to the Gardens, Live music at Darwin's Cafe (2pm), Poi demonstration, "Botanical Beats: Closing Drum Circle with Terese Bourchard at 4 p.m., Wayne Vliet Myles Morrison on guitars.
Last weekend's events The festival kicked off last weekend with a handful of locals turning up for Friday's opening community surf event at Wickaninnish Beach, which was followed by an at-capacity writer's presentation on Friday evening in Ucluelet's Blackberry Cove Marketplace.
Saturday brought live music to the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and on Sunday festivalers toured through Ucluelet's Wild Pacific Trail.
Kidd said she was thrilled with the opening weekend's turnout during an art tour through the Wild Pacific Trail led by the trail's innovator 'Oyster' Jim Martin. One of the festivalers to take on the trail was Cathy McDougall of Errington, who won a weeklong all-expense paid West Coast vacation in a contest held by Tourism Ucluelet in December.
McDougall was delighted to share her love of Ucluelet with her Ontario based sister and brother-in-law who had never visited the West Coast before.
"It's got that small town feel to it and I like this rugged coast that you have access to," she said.
"I've been on the trail before and got some fabulous photos and we thought it would be interesting to meet the actual founder of the trail and listen to his talk," she said.
The trail experience was held on a wet and windy Sunday morning but McDougall said the weather caused no pause in her plans.
"We were a bit daunted by it but we know that's the West Coast; you can't let the rain stop you or you're not going to do anything," she said.
Kidd is hoping to see the sun during this upcoming weekend's events and said the society is particularly keen on this weekend's outdoor concert in Tofino and Circus Camp in Ucluelet.
"We're really excited to be trying something new this year with our outdoor concert in Tofino...It's something new that we haven't tried yet; because of the weather out here we've always shied away from outdoor stages so we're just going to go for it next weekend and hope for the best," Kidd said.
"We're getting tons of rain this weekend so hopefully it will dry out for us next weekend."
A full schedule of events can be found at www.pacificrimarts. ca.
reporter@westerlynews.ca