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Blessed Coast Festival aims to be transformative

Music, yoga and arts at the Cheekye Ranch in the Paradise Valley from July 28 to 31
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Spiritual weekend Blessed Coast brings music to the Paradise Valley. PHOTO submitted

The Blessed Coast Music, Yoga & Arts Festival has a quiet ambition — to run a weekend of spiritual coming together without any cost to the environment.

Co-producer Zain Saraswati Jamal says Blessed Coast is in its third year, founded by a team of Vancouverites and Sea to Sky locals looking for a way to express their holistic, Earth-positive worldviews.

They found their perfect venue in the Cheekye Ranch in the Paradise Valley just north of Squamish. Blessed Coast runs from July 28 to 31.

"It's just a beautiful piece of land, very energetic and enigmatic," she says.

"The river is beautiful and runs down the back side of the ranch. The ranch itself has been cultivated over the last several years.

The scenery is stunning. Being there for the three days is a healing experience and super transformative and vibrant."

Organizers expect around 1,000 people over the weekend.

What also makes it stand out from the others is that it is 100 per cent energy renewable.

"We wanted to create something that was part of the solution in fighting the growing climate change crisis," Jamal says.

"We wanted an event that was rooted in consciousness, one that expands creativity to music transformative workshops, and yoga — getting people into their bodies and into the grass, something with living, loving and community."

Musical artists this year include three-time Grammy Award winner Chin Injeti, DJ Shub (formerly of A Tribe Called Red), Australian Earth music group OKA, American singer and composer Ayla Nereo, Atuya, Frase, Yaima, three-time Juno Award winner Alpha Yaya Diallo, Erica Dee, Drumspyder, Shaman's Dream, Anchor Hill, Tubby Love, and Annie Becker.

"We have world-class musicians coming. They're a range of international artists and DJs," Jamal says.

"There are definitely a few who love it and are returnees, and there are always a few new artists coming."

There are stages for acoustics and DJs, and live music for the many yoga sessions over the weekend.

"As they are practicing yoga, people will be exposed to really beautiful transcendental music. It's just wonderful," Jamal says.

"While music is part of it, there is also a greater underlying level of consciousness for people who are interested in ceremony. People are drawn into the fact that there is an opening ceremony and closing ceremony run by (members of the Squamish and Lil'wat Nations)."

Tickets to Blessed Coast are still available and range from day passes at $78 to $90, to full onsite camping and entry passes from $200 to $290. Children under the age of 12 are free.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.blessedcoast.ca.