The hills – or the urban spaces of uptown White Rock at least – will be alive with the sound of music, come Aug. 10.
White Rock council voted unanimously March 11 to approve the Uptown Music Festival organized by the White Rock Business Improvement Association.
The day-long (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) event will feature two stages – one at Miramar Plaza and the other in the Johnston Road parking lot next to the Oceana PARC Playhouse.
A report to council from recreation and culture director John Woolgar noted the free festival was initiated by five uptown businesses, which are assisting in planning of the event.
Intent, he said, is to emphasize local performers, featuring a blend of bands and solo artists.
Council endorsed the festival as a ‘category C’ event, which means the city will provide in-kind logistical support and some event equipment.
The event, Woolgar said, is designed to “encourage community members and tourists to visit the uptown area of White Rock to enjoy the event and shop locally.”
As such, he noted, it’s in keeping with three objectives of the White Rock Cutural Strategic Plan: to maintain and grow diverse special events, mobilize event partners and volunteers and support a “thriving uptown arts district beyond the beach.”
READ ALSO:Record-breaking attendance for White Rock summer concert series
Coun. Elaine Cheung questioned what kind of music the event would feature.
“It would be nice if (we) had some variety – we have a lot of different ages and races in White Rock.”
Woolgar said that while the city does not mandate the kind of music for such an event “we’ve certainly shared with the event organizer that diversity is key…as well as they’re trying to target local performers at this event.”
“I think that’s a good idea to try to use as many local performers as possible,” Mayor Megan Knight commented.