By Marisa Chandler
Community and creativity go hand-in-hand this year at the annual STRIDE Burnaby Arts Festival. Made “by neighbours, for neighbours,” this year’s fest theme is “connections,” bringing artists and art lovers of all ages together to support Burnaby’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
Proudly hosted by North Burnaby Neighbourhood House, STRIDE runs from February 3-12, 2023. To promote accessibility and community involvement at every level, all programming is free of charge and welcome to all ages.
Visitors and participants can enjoy the Art Walk, Story Walk, the Poetry Zone, the Free Little Art Gallery, and an exhibition at the Shadbolt Centre, which will be displayed until February 24.
These are just a handful of STRIDE festival highlights that we’re looking forward to:
Running All Festival Long
Art Walk
Visit The Heights neighbourhood as it transforms into a temporary outdoor art gallery. Grab a coffee and take a self-guided tour using the handy festival map and works by local Burnaby visual artists in participating shop windows. (Hot tip: additional artwork may be hidden inside each locale as well!)
Story Walk
Willingdon Linear Park connects neighbourhoods, so it’s only fitting that it’s set to connect you with Burnaby artists. This is an open-air installation of art and stories collected by STRIDE partner, We Are Burnaby.
Poetry Zone
Look for the bright yellow poems on the poster columns at each intersection along Hastings St. between Ingleton and Madison Avenue as you shop and stroll the Heights.
Free Little Art Gallery
Following the tradition of the popular ‘free libraries,’ Burnaby Art Calling will follow a ‘Take a little art. Leave a little art.’ philosophy with The Free Little Art Gallery, which officially
opens its door during the festival.
Workshops
The festival features three unique workshops: Reconciliation Hearts which blends fabric art, learning about Indigenous issues, and gift-making; Culture Chats Multicultural Story Time, with readings of a published collection of short stories for children learning about life, friendship, kindness, and dedication and the most eye-catching-Exquisite Corpse!
Exquisite Corpse Workshop
Join artists Jennie Johnston & Dorothy Doherty for a spontaneous art historical afternoon, learning about the history of artists and creatives. Exquisite Corpse games involve artists and/or creatives working together to create a drawing in collaboration with a fun twist: the other people drawing can not see what you are doing!
February 5, at Brentwood Mall
Music
Celtic Kitchen Party
Gather round for a good old-fashioned kitchen party! The “Celtic Kitchen” event recreates the atmosphere of a community kitchen party with lively tunes, soulful songs and compelling stories to warm you on a winter’s night. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
February 10, at Gilmore Community School Gym
Skabala Duo–Modal Musings
What happens when a classically trained flutist and a skilled bodhran player combine their musical know-how? The Skabala Duo presents a 40-minute set of modal improvisation with bodhran (a frame drum used in traditional Irish music, for the uninitiated), guitar and flute. The duo fuses Indian, Middle Eastern and Celtic music inspired by the elemental sounds of water and wind.
February 4, at The Legion (4356 Hastings St, Burnaby)
Art After Dark – in the park
Closing out the festival, Art After Dark is a free, all-ages pop-up art experience. Celebrate STRIDE’s closing night at this illuminating mixed-media installation in Burnaby’s Confederation Park. The forested urban picnic spot by day transforms into a glowing, light and soundscape by night.
Experience illuminated sculptural art by local artist Nickie Lewis of The Wizards Makery. Return festival goers will recognize the glowing Art Cube, a collaboration by co-curators and artists Grant Withers and Yunuen Perez Vertti. They have collaborated on a new, immersive projected art installation and proudly share the screen with Burnaby photographer and filmmaker, Scott Kiborn.
The event is wheelchair accessible (paved path with a small grass area which may be wet/uneven), and free parking is nearby.
February 12, Drop in from 7:30-9 PM at Confederation Park picnic area, 300m north of Hastings on Beta Ave.
At the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
PechaKucha
PechaKucha Burnaby joins STRIDE by taking the mic at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts with an evening of diverse presenters, including photographic artist Glen Govier, taking inspiration from the ‘connections’ theme.
PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is the world’s fastest-growing storytelling platform, used by millions around the globe. Presenters have 20 slides and 20 seconds of commentary per slide to grab your attention with their passions and share their knowledge.
February 11, 2023. Check PechaKucha Burnaby for details.
Stride Art at the Shadbolt Exhibition
Running through the festival and on display for a full week afterwards, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts hosts STRIDE Art in the Centre Aisle Gallery. This extended display showcases artworks by Stride artists and makers all in one place.
February 3-24, 2023
For more information on the festival, visit: https://weareburnaby.com/stride/
To easily find all STRIDE events and plan your route, you can use the TransLink Trip Planner.