The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts (SCFPA) is delighted to be celebrating its 35th anniversary - the longest running festival on the Coast.
Modelled on Vancouver's Kiwanis Festival, the Sunshine Coast Music Festival was founded in 1973 by Aletta Gilker and Mary Brooke to provide opportunities for Coast music students and amateur musicians to perform in our community and receive guidance from experienced professionals.
This festival has grown dramatically from its initial two days of sessions with 30 entrants and now includes dance as well as music. A non-profit society with charitable status, the generous support of community donors provided $6,000 in awards and scholarships in Festival 2007 to outstanding individuals and groups to encourage their ongoing development as performers. Each year exceptional performers are selected to gain additional experience by participation in the provincial festival, Performing Arts BC, held May 25 to 29 in Burnaby.
Festival 2008 is April 14 to May 4. Soloists and ensembles in our community enjoy performing for appreciative audiences at all festival sessions. Festival partnership with School District No. 46 encourages participation by local schools and provides access to Chatelech Theatre. Award-winning performances will be showcased in the piano encore concert on Sunday, April 20, at 1:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre and the festival highlights concert on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at the Raven's Cry Theatre. Admission to all Festival 2008 events is by donation. Festival 2008 supporters can become SCFPA Society members for $10 a year per family or individual. Festival information is available at www.coastfestival.com. Community volunteers from across the Coast organize this annual festival. Contact SCFPA president Sue Milne at 604-886-1255 to volunteer for Festival 2008 and join the 35th anniversary celebration team.
