Wide Skies Music Festival is back, though it won’t be on two consecutive days as in the previous four editions
Calgary’s Reuben and the Dark open the festival, Wednesday, July 27 on the Park n Ride rooftop with Makiisma and The Bullhorn Singers.
“The rooftop show last year was a success so we wanted to do it again,” said Mike Spencer of the Geomatic Attic, which is putting on the Wide Skies Music Festival.
“And we‘ve worked with Reuben and the Dark before and thought they would be perfect for the roof top . We wanted the opportunity to work with them again, and that was when they were available,” Spencer continued.
They aren’t doing the pre-party beer gardens in the Bowman Arts centre parking lot this year. Instead there will be a beer garden on the roof top.
And Two Guys and A Pizza Place with be on hand for hungry patrons.
“There will be some seating, but we encourage people to bring their own chairs,” Spencer said.
Doors for the July 27 show open at 7:15 p.m. Makiisma opens the evening at 8 p.m.
Patrons should enter at the south entrance.
Seating is limited so tickets are available online by donation.
April Hanson from 2 Day F.M. 98.1 will MC the evening.
The second Wide Skies festival show, Wednesday, Aug. 3, has a more festival atmosphere at a new venue— the Sandman Signature parking lot overlooking the Oldman River and High Level Bridge.
“It is more like a festival,” Spencer said, adding it is also an extension of the Geomatic Attic’s relationship with the Sandman Signature, a supporter of downtown events for many years.
Gates open at 5:15 with the music beginning at 6 p.m with Alameda, a Toronto based, Edmonton born alternative country band along the lines of The Band and My Morning Jacket.
Blue and Gold follow at 7:30 p.m.
“They’re a new band including Ndidi Okuwulu who played South Country Fair (in 2018) and Trish Klein from the be Good Tanyas. Ndidi O is great. She’s based out of Vancouver and Los Angeles. I’m excited to hear them,” he enthused.
Kobo Town will provide some reggae infused excitement at 9 p.m..
“They’ll be a really great closer and will get people up dancing,” said Spencer, expecting the event to end around 10:30 or 11 p.m.
Ryland Moranz will be the MC for this show and be a special musical guest.
Admission is free though donations will be gratefully accepted.
Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended as in case of weather, the show will be moved to the Southminster United Church and ticket holders get priority seating.
Tickets are available online at https://geomaticattic.ca/show/wide-skies-music-arts-festival-day-1-wide-skies-on-the-rooftop-2022/#tribe-tickets
— By Richard Amery, L.A.Beat Editor
