In The Soil Arts Festival taking over downtown St. Catharines

The 14th annual In the Soil Arts Festival kicks off tonight (June 10) in downtown St. Catharines and will run through the weekend with literally dozens of activities for families to enjoy.

Organizers say, “We’ve lined up an exciting program of artists who have dreamt up creative ideas in response to the theme of ‘hereafter’, featuring new music, digital art, theatre, interactive family-fun activities and more. This robust weekend of programming will ignite a summer-long celebration of multi-arts events.”

For tonight’s big kick-off, head to 201 St Paul St for the main festival hub where live bands will be playing from 6 to 11 pm. They include OL Child, Chance Mutuku, Ryan Mowder, and Witch Profit.

Meanwhile on James Street, it’s the Vendor Bender Kickback Market, in partnership with Blackowned905.

Organizers say the fun continues through the weekend as Sean Aileen and Iain Ellis will perform a site-specific sonic duet in the courtyard of the Old Courthouse while Eve Atom’s one-woman audiovisual odyssey through outer space and inner time on the roof of the Niagara Artists’ Centre.

Things are get colurful when “Wayne Burns digging into a cyclical drag performance, and an immersive post-human virtual reality installation from APED Studio.”

And for the family, they say, “Get your hands dirty with a series of interactive art-making activities! Awaken your aural senses with a slew of local and visiting musicians and DJs.

“Be surprised by a variety of awe-inspired visual art installations including: an unending pathway created by Cree Tylee; a glowing patchwork window installation by Alex Verkade and Andrew Finlay Stewart – and you can even hop into a human vending machine by Martina Doom.”

An In the Soil Arts Festival Pass gets participants:

• First-come, first-served access for all launch weekend events (June 10–12)
• Priority entrance to all limited capacity venues and events
• Early access to tickets for our extended summer series, including: the ITS Theatre Series (June 10–August 27), Nest Fest – The Nest Artist Residency Showcase (July 15-17) and the Electric Innovations Showcase (July 23)
• Priority access to any updates and additions to the summer series.

Organizers say wanderers, thrill-seekers, lovers of surprise bags, spontaneity and community should “take the plunge with us and expect memorable experiences in unique settings, unusual formats and inspired ideas in downtown St. Catharines.”

To purchase a weekend pass, click right HERE!