In January, 1999, Nils Von Hahn sat on the back deck of the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek sipping a hot drink made by the iconic Juice Lady, Erica Snowlake, who Von Hahn calls the Queen of the Elphinstone Faerie Tribe. Von Hahn had been a performer and event organizer most of his adult life serving with the Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival and as a DJ at many Coast events. He was trying to conjure up a community celebration that would serve the dual purposes of uniting various folks from different ages, backgrounds and musical tastes, and would fill a gap in the event calendar for the varied dance tribes of the Coast.
"Erica came to sit with me, and asked what I was thinking about," he recalled. "One thing led to another and before long the words 'faeries and fools' rolled off my tongue. It was like lightning striking for both Erica and myself."
That year, the first ever Faeries and Fools event took place at the Roberts Creek Community Hall and continued there until its success outgrew the venue. About 150 people between the ages of three and 90 showed up all decked out in costumes.
By the sixth year, it was obvious they needed to be in the forest where real faeries and fools should be. Von Hahn's yoga teacher and friend Dhyanna Bartkow helped make arrangements for the event to move up Mount Elphinstone to her property at Crystal Creek, a four-hectare hideaway where visitors can reconnect with their natural selves among the forest trails, pure water and organic orchard.
By 2007, a pinnacle had been reached, Von Hahn said. "All the stars aligned. The weather was golden. The turn out was amazing. Good times were had by all," he said.
But his philosophy is to always leave the crowd wanting more, and the organizing team took a break for two years to recharge the batteries.
This year Faeries and Fools is ready to roll once more this weekend (May 22 and 23). On the very day Von Hahn decided to do the event again this year he looked at a calendar and identified May 22. The next day he got an e-mail from Gaudi's booking agent asking if he wanted to book the London-based musician of dub, electronica, reggae and world music on May 22 - surely fate taking a hand. Within a day or two he had Adham Shaikh booked as well. This popular musician sold out the Roberts Creek Hall during Creek Daze. Bluetech has also been added to the bill.
If you're going to frolic at Faeries and Fools, the organizers ask that you make this a safe and conscious event for all.
"There will be no need to bring drugs or alcohol to this event," said Von Hahn. "Love is the drug. It's free and abundant and will leave you feeling fresh and inspired the next day."
Gaudi, Adham Shaikh and Bluetech are headliners, and many more DJs, VJs and performers will also be there.
Gates open at noon on Saturday, and first up is a range of activities for kids and families organized by a local group of stilt walkers and hula hoopers, Upper Realm. Many entertainers will roam, such as children's performer Graham Walker. After the opening ceremony and parade, the music of Funginears begins, followed by more music from Timothy Wisdom, Sweet Anomaly, Lady Ra, Nils and Shaikh. Gaudi takes the stage at midnight.
During the night there will be a Shadow Puppet Show by Mind of a Snail and a Vocal Jam by the campfire. More bands play until the dance tent closes at 9 a.m. Sunday and the Chill Stage opens. The music goes until 6 p.m. Sunday and features six more performers.
Tickets are $60 in advance (kids under 12 are free) available at Elfinstones Gems and Jewelry in Gibsons,Elfinstones Rock and Gem (above the Gumboot Café) in Roberts Creek and WindSong Gallery in Sechelt. Check out the Facebook events page, Faeries & Fools, or see www.telepaphone.comfor more information about a shuttle bus from Langdale and ticket availability.
