Purchase TicketsSupport the Ryga Arts Festival this year! We have three amazing headliners including Kym Gouchie and two one-person professional plays, Jake's Gift and the Ballad of Georges Boivin. We also have many amazing local and regional artists coming including Emelia Symington-Fedy, Harold Rhenisch, Frantic, Shae Ryga, Anona Kampe and more! Every little bit helps us pay all artists, including emerging artists, and assists with travel and food costs, accommodation for artists, and administration. Join us in Summerland from September 18-22!
Outspoken!: Thursday, September 5
Pre-festival Event
Time: 6:00pm
Join us for our always popular, always sold out spoken word night featuring emerging and long-standing poets, spoken word artists and authors. Enjoy some delicious Summergate Wine and come for dinner from Mike's food truck. Please note the change in start time from previous years. Bring a lawn chair if you do not want to sit on the picnic tables.
Hope to see you there!
Swing Dance: Friday, September 13
Pre-festival Event
Time: 5:30 for lessons & 7:00pm for the band
Join us for an unforgettable evening of swing dancing, featuring the renowned South Okanagan Big Band. The event includes a complimentary dance lesson by the talented Natalie Hobbs. This event is proudly co-sponsored by the Ryga Arts Festival, the Summerland Community Centre, and the Summerland Fall Fair. While the dance lesson is free, pre-registration is required. We are thrilled to have Detonate Brewing as our official brewery sponsor and Summerland Heritage Cidery as our official cidery sponsor.
Don’t miss out on this exciting event!
Opening Night : Wednesday, September 18
Welcome Event
Time: 6:00pm
Anona Kampe sets the tone with a heartfelt traditional welcome, paving the way for a melodic journey by the Shae Ryga trio, featuring George Ryga's grandson. As the evening unfolds, Harold Rhenisch captivates the audience with poignant excerpts from his poem "We are George Ryga," while Emilia Symington-Fedy skillfully guides the event as the emcee. The atmosphere brims with artistic fervor as Frantic and BusStopGirl take the stage, weaving powerful spoken word performances and soul-stirring music inspired by the profound legacy of George Ryga and the messages embedded within his writings.
The evening will include snacks, and beer and wine will be available for purchase (19+). This event is sponsored by Giant's Head Brewing!
Day 1: Thursday, September 19
Emelia Symington-Fedy
Author Reading/Workshop
Time: 10:00am
Scared to tell the whole truth? Is it even your truth to tell? Emelia had to grapple with these questions in her memoir ’Skid Dogs' and she surprised herself. Sometimes telling the truth isn’t the smartest choice. There’s an even braver option. A Q&A and writing workshop about brutal honesty, responsibility and conscience when telling your story.
Bringing Home The Salmon Film
Screening and Q&A With Salmon Warriors
Time: 2:00pm
The mighty Columbia River was once the source of the world’s greatest salmon runs. But massive dams have blocked salmon from returning to the vast headwaters of the upper Columbia River in Canada for 85 years. Bringing the Salmon Home shares the story of the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations who uphold their sacred responsibility to reintroduce the salmon here. In this short documentary film, first person stories combine with vivid landscape and underwater footage, and archival film, to tell the long-hidden story of these Salmon People. Bringing the Salmon Home representatives, including youth Salmon Warriors, will be on hand for audience discussion.
Harold Rhenisch
Book Launch for Salmon Shanties
Time: 4:00pm
Come join us in celebrating the publication of Harold Rhenisch’s Salmon Shanties at the gorgeous Pamplemousses Jus Natural Winery, hosted by Ryga Arts Festival and the University of Regina Press. Harold Rhenisch will be reading from his latest collection of poems, The Salmon Shanties: A Cascadian Song Cycle, that “pair” with the terroir and the Pamplemousse Jus wines. Enjoy delicious wine and get your copy of The Salmon Shanties signed by the author!
The Ballad of George Boivin
Followed by Community Chat About Aging in The Preforming Arts
Time: 7:00pm
At 77, Georges Boivin decides to “give the dice a roll.” Georges just lost his wife, the “centre of his universe.” But there is life after 70, and it must continue even after great loss. With his three friends, all older than he, he sets out on a cross-country road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of his first love who he hasn’t seen in 50 years.
This one man play will be followed by an informal community discussion after about aging in the performing arts.
Day 2: Friday, September 20
Anona Kampe
Storytelling "Coyote"
Time: 3:30pm
Join Anona as she takes you on an entertaining and interactive journey by sharing traditional syilx Okanagan stories called captíkʷł (chap-teek). The syilx Okanagan people spread knowledge through an oral history spanning thousands of years. She will introduce you to the characters, explaining why they are significant and share traditional teachings within the story. Participants can expect an engaging session. Available stories to choose from are; The Four Food Chiefs - How Food Was Given, Turtle Races Eagle, How Names Were Given, Chipmunk & Owl Woman, Ant & the Boulder, Coyote & Buffalo or Coyote & Eagle.
Pre-registration required as there is a limit of 10 participants.
Run, Salmon, Run
A Brown Bag Art Social
Time: 4:00pm
Kym Gouchie Duo
Performance
Time: 7:00pm
With her traditional hand drum, ukulele, acoustic guitar, full-bodied voice and authentic storytelling, Kym Gouchie takes us with her on a cultural journey rich with ancestral memories and melodies that inspire the child in all of us. This show is playful, educational and engaging! This event is sponsored by Tin Whistle Brewing.
Day 3: Saturday, September 21
Kym Gouchie
The Stories Behind the Songs Q&A
Time: 10:00 am
Join us for an intimate gathering where Kym will discuss the motivations, meanings and memories behind her songs. Following an evening performance, this morning workshop will be a small gathering, with Q&A opportunities.
Theatre Trail
10 Minute Play Contest
Time: 1:00pm
Join us for Theatre Trail, a unique event featuring live theatre performances at different locations around the city. At each stop, enjoy performances while exploring hidden gems. Tickets will grant you access to all plays. Please use the links below to purchase tickets for your preferred location.
Jake's Gift
Time: 7:00pm
2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Join us for this multi-award-winning, one-woman performance of Jake's Gift, the story of a WWII veteran's reluctant return to Normandy to find the grave of his eldest brother. Written by and starring Julia Mackey. Performance will be followed by a Q&A and the opportunity to share your relevant stories. This event is sponsored by Cannery Brewing.
Day 4: Sunday, September 22
