It’s about the music — two days of it. The annual Save Our Salmon Festival held at the Shirley Community Hall is scheduled for April 20-21.
The popular event is an all-ages music, workshop, food, dance and informational extravaganza geared to raising awareness and publicity for Muir Creek.
“The goal is to try and get a lot more publicity,” said one of the event organizers, Amanda Swinimer. “Ever since the Juan de Fuca lands were handed over to Western Forest Products for development, when the focus shifted, Muir Creek was forgotten about.”
Muir Creek is an ancient place, sacred to the First Nations peoples and revered by all who walk along the forested trails and enjoy the waters and beaches in the vicinity.
The Muir Creek Protection Society has one aim and that is to preserve both the old-growth forests and salmon runs which depend on the creek and shorelines to survive. It has been described as “An ideal park... in jeopardy.”
Before the concerted efforts at halting any development in the Juan de Fuca, the society was getting close to preservation of the Muir Creek area as a park. They sat at the table with TimberWest and they had politicians on their side. The focus just kind of slipped away.
So, fast forward to April 20 and 21 and the sixth annual S.O.S. celebration of Muir Creek.
Back for the second year is a hot, groovy, spacey funk band Session Funk, who Swinimer said is “so darn good,” they invited them back. They are joined by Mr. Fantastik and Jah Request, bringing raggae, dub and dancehall from Salt Spring Island. Kikeyambay with Alseny Michel Diallo bring traditional West African drums and dance, belly dancing goddess Jacqui Kerr plans to attend as does Tanya Devine with smooth, healing vibrations on the didgeridoo. There is even yoga for kids with Jacqui Kerr.
It’s all jam packed into the Shirley Hall along with good eats, beverages, door prizes and things for the kids to do. The bright red hall is located along West Coast Road about 15 kms from Sooke.
The festival begins on Friday at 6 p.m. with two reggae bands, Arise and Safety Meeting.
Saturday’s events begin at 2 p.m. and carry on until 1 a.m.
Advance tickets are available at the Stick in the Mud. You can purchase weekend tickets or single day tickets.
All proceeds go to the Muir Creek Protection Society.
For more information call Amanda Swinimer at 250-818-4633 or visit SOS-Fest.blogspot.com