A smorgasbord of playwrights, actors, musicians, comedians and dancers is on hand to help the Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) bring its Flag Stop Theatre and Arts Festival to Whistler for a 14th time.
At Flag Stop's heart is a new, award-winning stage play: "The Conversation." Authored by Bronwyn Preece and directed by Brandon Barrett, this story features eight characters grappling with denial and inevitability as a flood threatens to destroy everything they know. This latest offering from Preece was an award finalist at the 2024-25 Earth Matters on Stage Ecodramaturgy Festival.
"We've done both light comedy and more serious drama over the years, so this one is a bit experimental and serious, which is kind of exciting," reveals PARC artistic director Stephen Vogler. "These four pairs of people … are basically almost having the same conversation [in different ways]. We chose Brandon as the director because he has written and directed plays that tackle deeper subjects for Flag Stop before.
"I think ['The Conversation'] is very timely in terms of climate change and the way we humans deal with—or try not to deal with—impending crises."
Viewers who prefer a more lighthearted approach to storytelling need not fear: Laugh Out LIVE has dreamed up a new comedy set that also works with the theme of an impending flood. This set will play back-to-back with "The Conversation" on both Aug. 8 and 9.
Fun in the park
Flag Stop begins Aug. 6 in Florence Petersen Park, where DJ Vinyl Ritchie sets the mood at 6 p.m. Known for his touring experience and wide range of music, the local favourite can play to any crowd and get them ready for Balkan Shmalkan.
This is not your everyday group. Balkan Shmalkan is a 10-piece brass party band from East Vancouver, offering funky dance beats rooted in the aural traditions of the Roma and Klezmorim of Eastern Europe. Group members sing in multiple languages to boot: including Serbian, Romani and Italian.
Vogler's own five-piece ska, reggae and rock outfit, the West Coast Front, takes the reins at 8 p.m., and Dakota Pearl will finish things off an hour later. Dancers from ALGN Whistler are on hand to offer interactive performances between each act.
"[Balkan Shmalkan] has been playing a lot of festivals … but it's incredible getting that big of a band to come up here," Vogler says. "They're just so much fun. They've become a real favourite, [dancing in] from the Village Stroll into Florence Petersen Park. This is the third or fourth time we'll be having them up here and I'm always pleased when they can make it.
"Last time [the West Coast Front] played was at Kevin Mikkelsen's fundraiser at Merlin's and we got a really good response from a whole lot of people who maybe haven't heard us for a long time. [Dakota Pearl] is a dyed-in-the-wool country band out of Pemberton doing really well. I kind of see Flag Stop as the local music festival version of what happens at Olympic Plaza. We get to feature some regional bands."
Nothing is scheduled for Aug. 7 as the PARC team readies its signature floating stage on Alta Lake and actors undergo final dress rehearsals.
'Really interesting'
In addition to the aforementioned plays, Flag Stop will bring in two exciting musical talents on Aug. 8 and 9: The History of Gunpowder and Mivule.
"We almost got them last year," says Vogler about The History of Gunpowder, who label themselves as a freak-out funk orchestra. "We've been talking for a year and I just started listening to their music over that period. It's really interesting. I'm not sure how to describe it. There's a lot going on, and it's kind of theatrical."
Mivule is led by South Sudanese/Ugandan singer and songwriter Brian Broda, who often mixes politically and socially conscious themes into his lyrics. Matt Yard supports on the bass and guitar, while Jesiah Yarish adds a root reggae flavour to his drumming. Together, they blend the genres of reggae, afrobeat and dub in both English and the Luganda language.
Flag Stop's final two days include dinner prepared by Red Seal Chef Frederic Royer, drinks from the Whistler Wine Guy and Steamworks Brewing, and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets operate on a three-tiered system: dinner ($55), theatre and live music only ($30) and live music only ($15). PARC members are entitled to a 15-per-cent discount.
The PARC wishes to thank all volunteers involved with Flag Stop as well as sponsors like Gibbons Whistler, Nesters Market, Whistler Hardware, Sue and Bob Adams, the BC Arts Council, the Province of B.C. and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Visit thepointartists.com/events for more details.
